[pct-l] crampons

[Robert W. Freed]

I've seen them go wearing crampons and ice axe in hand. Of course when glaciers calf it is kind of act of god stuff. As I recall, the hiker who died with the trekking poles was not wearing any sort of traction device. I'm of the school that is better to prevent slipping than it is to try and save your self with a ice axe. As with all things it is probably best if you spend a few hundred hours of practice with each and decide what works best for you. But I haven't taken a bad fall mountaineering in about twenty years. Probably just getting cocky with a false sense of invulnerability. Watch for me glissading this season, I like to do it standing. Kind of like skiing without skisRobert

--- On Fri, 10/23/09, Brick Robbins <brick at fastpack.com> wrote:

I think that if you have an ice axe you are pretty much set. I know of
at least one hiker that slipped and fell with trekking poles, but no
ice axe, and died as a result of the fall.

Depending on the conditions, some sort of traction device (screws, the
various devices recently discussed) might be nice, but are not
essential.

Also Mountaineering crampons (10 or 12 point)  are probably more of a
danger than a help.

HYOH



On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 10:55 AM, Robert W. Freed
<robert at engravingpros.com> wrote:
>> Are crampons a must for a thru-hiker?  Another discussion board I read
>> seemed to think they were superfluous, and mainly extra weight.
>> Thoughts?
>
> If you're asking I suggest you carry them. If you are starting north bound in early April you may need them as early as section c.
>
> Last year I carried screws for my tennis shoes and a little wrench. Never did use them though. Just kick step and trekking poles.
>
> Of course watching my twelve year old son negotiate a icy slope at Matther pass I wish I had brought ice axe, crampons, rope and a few snow screws.  :)
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