[pct-l] crampons and gaiters

[CMountainDave@aol.com (CMountainDave@aol.com)]

Crampons can actually be dangerous in soft snow. The snow balls up on them 
making them both useless  and prone to sliding.  And if you slide with 
crampons on and they catch, you are in a world of hurt because it is a 
virtual certainty that you will run over your own ankle, badly spraining it 
at best. In step crampons should suffice for any hard snow found on the PCT 
and are much lighter. Gaiters are used to keep snow from entering your 
footwear. Since fabric running shoes are going to get soaking wet in snow 
anyway, what would be the point of using gaiters? I'd definitely take an ice 
ax, but go as light as possible