[pct-l] Ice Axes, Crampons, & Cross Trainers

[Jeffzclimb@aol.com]

Just wanted to give some input about ice axes, crampons, & cross trainers.
I agree with my friend Greg (strider) Hummel on the use of an ice axe as a
weapon. I've been hiking since as far back as I can remember a the
overwhelming
majority say 99% of hikers I met were always very friendly and some I have
become
good friends with.The other 1% I guess they were having a bad day ( its hard
to 
believe someone could have a bad day while hiking) but I never thought I
better
get my ice axe ready just in case I needed to defend myself.
Hiking the pacific crest trail in 1977 I'm glad I had my crampons along going
over
forester and glen passes in may just to name two, I'm not sure I would have
made
it over those passes without crampons.
As for cross trainers if I could put my crampons on them, have my feet stay
warm
I would be wearing them, but no such luck, so I'll keep using my lightweight
boots.
I never had a problem using crampons with my lightweight boots, I used that 
combination to summit Gannett Peak in wyoming a few years ago.
Hey its great to see a few '77 pacific crest trail hikers on the pct list.

Jeff Zimmerman   
* From the Pacific Crest Trail Email List |  http://www.backcountry.net   *

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