[pct-l] Self Arrest - Instep Crampons

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Hey, Philippe!

Couldn't agree more! 12-point crampons used in the thru-hiker setting are 
unnecessary and dangerous, both to your own legs and tendons (gashed from 
the other foot) and while self-arresting for the reason you pointed out.


"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Philippe Gouvet" <philippe.gouvet at orange.fr>
To: "PCT-L" <pct-l at backcountry.net>; "Eric Lee" <saintgimp at hotmail.com>
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 2:04 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Self Arrest - Instep Crampons



Le 11 mars 2011 à 09:14, Eric Lee a écrit :

> Shroomer wrote:
>>
> Real steel cramps have two points that stick out in front and would have
> been great for climbing over the cornice on Mather.  The aluminum ones 
> have
> the two points, but they point down and were not as good in that one
> instance.
>>
>
> Not having the front points is a good thing for most people.  They're 
> useful
> for serious mountaineering work but they're also very hazardous.  If you
> don't know exactly what you're doing, it's easy to gash open your own 
> calves
> with those things.
>
> Eric

Hello friends,

First post in a long time... 2012 thru-hike wanabee. A ridiculous post at 
the time of that terrible earthquake... My sympathy to Yoshihiro.

Ned might give his opinion on this. To me, 12-point crampons are really 
great tools provided the snow conditions are correct (i.e. frozen). For 
sure, I don't know whether a lot of users "gash open their own calves", but 
they can tear out their gaiters, at the very least.
But the real danger is if / when you happen to start falling downhill with 
your crampons on. Then, as you struggle to self-arrest with your ice-axe, 
you definitely want to avoid your crampons' touching the snow. If they do - 
and it is not that easy to avoid - your body will immediately rotate and you 
will carry on zooming down... head first.

Philippe
_______________________________________________
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/