[pct-l] Crampons?

[Steel-Eye]

Good morning, JJ,

I use instep crampons made by CMI.
http://www.cmi-gear.com/catalog/essentials/crampons.asp  They are advertised
to weigh 11.6 oz., however mine weigh 9.0 oz. with straps but without a
carrying case.  Instep crampons are pretty good for trail conditions
including side-hill, but without picks on the toe and heel they are not as
good as full-platform crampons for going straight up or down a grade.  I
regularly use them on my sneakers/gaiters and I find they perform well.

They are available with standard nylon webbing straps and Neoprene straps.
I have two sets of crampons, both with the standard webbing.  The Neoprene
will probably last longer but, since they wrap around my gaiter-covered
ankles, I was concerned that the stiff Neoprene might be irritating.

Last year the snow was low in the Sierras so they stayed at home right next
to the ice axe.  Only once did I wish I had them, but that instance only
required a relatively small work-around and it wasn't worth carrying them
just for that.  http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=188368

In a couple of months you should have a pretty good indication what the
residual snow will be like in the Sierras.

Good luck,

Steel-Eye





^^^^^^^^^^  Serious hikers gather at:  http://www.aldhawest.org/  ^^^^^^^^^^


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Keener" <jj at oldmanwalking.net>
To: "PCT MailingList" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 9:30 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Crampons?


> Greetings,
>
> I just visited the ULA site and the Axis crampons are no longer
> available. I am looking for recommendations.
>
> Thanks,
> Jim Keener ( J J )
> http://oldmanwalking.net
>
>
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