[pct-l] Crampons for trail runners

[Wojciech P]

For what it's worth I just picked up a pair of hillsound trail crampons. 

Similar to microspikes but with longer teeth, two plates as opposed to individual spikes, and an upper strap. They weigh 60 grams more then microspikes but seem like they're more geared towards outdoor terrain and backwoods exploring as opposed to shoveling your driveway. 

Haven't used them yet but everyone at EMS raved about them, looking online it seems as though a lot of people prefer them to MS. Plus they're made in Canada! 

-Brokentoe



On Jan 9, 2013, at 6:11 PM, "Ned Tibbits" <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

> Excellent advice, Matt, regarding when to use front points on 12-point 
> climbing crampons! That is exactly when you use them, but I don't think most 
> snow-hiking PCT thru hikers will encounter such extremes of pitch and 
> surface conditions.
> 
> What we are concerned about is the 12-point wearing snow-hiker casually 
> incising their opposite Achilles tendon or medial malleolus because they 
> were not being careful with their foot swings and foot placements (like a 
> certified guide or instructor would), instead being in a hurry to make miles 
> and wanting just to walk fast over the snow.
> 
> For those who are experienced and trained in the safe use of 12-point 
> crampons, they are very careful about what they do, how they swing their 
> feet, and aware at all times of where those points are going so they don't 
> get hurt.
> 
> 10-points are good for hikers.
> 
> 
> 
> Ned Tibbits, Director
> Mountain Education
> www.mountaineducation.org
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Matt Signore
> Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 2:16 PM
> To: Sonya Dickinson
> Cc: pct-l ; belcherjd at juno.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Crampons for trail runners
> 
> The lack of a front point on the Kahtoola product eliminates your ability
> to "front point" up or down steeper terrain.  The safest way to go down
> steep snow that is too firm to plunge step in is to face in to the slope.
> I would recommend everyone that travels in the Sierra or glaciated peaks
> read a few books.
> 
> *Freedom of the Hills *and *Alpine Climbing...Techniques to Take You Higher*
> 
> Both are great reads for the novice trekker, and both are written by
> certified guides.  You can listen to unaccredited people on the list, and
> put your life saving preparation in their hands.  Or you can learn from
> AMGA and IFMGA certified guides.
> 
> Live Long and Prosper
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission. 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors. 
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.