[pct-l] Crampons for trail runners

[Ned Tibbits]

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
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