[pct-l] Light-weight full-length crampons and cheap sledge

[Mtnned at aol.com (Mtnned@aol.com)]

Hey, Doodad and future thrus!
 
Our thoughts from Mountain Education on this subject:
 
1.  Instep crampons - great on ice as long as you're balanced on your  
instep.  Limited control on traverses and when you are on the ball or heel  of your 
foot.  We do not recommend the use of these for the Crest or Muir  when 
carrying a pack of significant weight up high. Crampons mounted on the ball  of the 
foot without heel straps may slip off on ascents.  This style does  not have 
heel points, so is insufficiently safe on changeable descents. Our  
recommendation is to carry 10-point crampons.  12-point versions can cause  severe injury 
if you're not closely focused on your foot placement (front points  can 
damage tendons of the opposite foot). 
 
2.  Sledge idea -- once again, great on the flat, but impractical on  
traverses, in the trees, and forget the downhill, unless you want to lower it as  we 
do with our rigid 4' and 7' sleds.
 
3.  Sleds - If you're sick of head plant falls in the snow from  top-heavy 
packs, consider a sled.  With a rudder and a brake, we have  successfully skied 
the Crest from New Army to Yosemite and the Red Line from  Paiute Pass to 
Trail Crest.  See them at _www.kifaru.net_ (http://www.kifaru.net)  .
 
Mtnned
Mountain Education