Questions tagged [crampons]
A crampon is a traction device used to improve mobility on snow and ice. It generally consists of a series of spikes in a metal frame. These frames are attached to boots using various systems, such as straps, step in, etc.
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Can microspikes replace crampons when crossing ice in summer?
When hiking in early summer I often come across patches of old snow. Till now I have managed to cross those by cutting my steps in the snow or walking around. And whenever I had my hiking sticks with ...
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Gear for slush-over-ice
I hike in all seasons and weathers. I love the old adage there is no bad weather only bad gear. My Kahtoola microspikes are excellent when there is hard ice on the trail. Turns a sheet of ice into a ...
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How do I strengthen my ankles for long, steepish, snow and glacier routes?
I had to turn around on a long (5000ft) glacier route last week because one of my ankles had really begun to hurt. The ankle was so fatigued after 1000ft that I doubted my ability to safely finish the ...
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What should you do if your crampons start balling up?
Balling up is when the snow starts sticking to the bottom of your crampons to the point that the crampon points are no longer touching the surface. As one can imagine this is a rather dangerous ...
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What are the use cases for ski crampons over boot crampons?
When you have both ski crampons and boot crampons, in what cases should either be used?
This is the type of ski crampon I have in mind. Thanks to @imsodin for providing the link to the picture.
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What are the advantages of horizontal front points on crampons?
There are two (main) types of front points with crampons (that I am aware of): Vertical and horizontal ones. Usually vertical is used for technical mountaineering, ice and mixed climbing and ...
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Can I get crampons for small feet?
All manufacturers that I can find offering adjustable crampons with smallest size 35 EU. I need crampons for a boots 30-32 EU size. Is it possible to find such crampons?
I am looking for glacier ...
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When to sharpen crampons?
When do I know that I need to sharpen my crampons?
In documentaries, I have seen people filing their crampons.
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How do you get into a prone position without catching your crampons?
With autumn starting to appear in the UK I find myself thinking about winter technique once again.
I've practiced self arrest technique, but always avoided doing it while wearing crampons. Obviously ...
user2766
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Ice axe and crampon post winter cleaning/preparation [duplicate]
So winter is well and truly over in Wales. Pretty much all the snow has melted and the weather is improving. So it's time to retire my winter gear until next winter.
What should I do with my Ice Axe ...
user2766
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Can anybody recommend a good mid-week winter mountaineering course or a good mountain guide in the Lake District, UK? [duplicate]
Me and my partner will be spending a week in February in the Lake District, UK (Monday to Friday). We want to get as much walking in as possible and attempt a number of the peaks / ridges. We are ...
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What crampon front-point setup options are specific for various types of ice climbing?
Is it a matter of personal preference, or are there advantages to using different front-point setups on your crampons specific to what you are climbing?
For example, I'm still just getting into ice ...
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Is there a recommended safety standard for crampons?
I follow an outdoor group on facebook and one of the guys on it asked about these crampons on ebay
They look very suspicious, they're a little too cheap and don't seem to fit very well, etc. They ...
user2766
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Carrying crampons safely when not using them
How should one carry crampons when not actually using it, but knowing that they are going to be needed in the further stage of the expedition.
Further clarification: Suppose I am gonna need to have ...
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What to look for in an ice axe for use in classic alpine terrain?
I'm currently in the process of getting together a winter walking kit. I've got B2 boots and I'm buying suitable crampons.
Ice Axes though seems more...confusing. What kind of features should I be ...
user2766
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How to take care of steel crampons?
What should I do to increase the lifetime of my crampons, maintain them properly, and check whether they can still be used safely?
user2169
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First crampon grade to buy
I'm looking at getting my first set of crampons, for winter Wales/Scotland trekking, with a view of working my way up into the Alps (during summer) eventually.
I've been reading that a 10 point C2/B2 ...
user2766
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What are the suitable choices of crampons for Scarpa Charmoz GTX Women boots?
I have Scarpa Charmoz GTX Women boots for mountaineering (upper than 4000 m) in Iran. I want to find a good pair of crampons for them. I cannot choose automatic crampons but somebody says I can use ...
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What is the proper technique for self-arrest when wearing crampons?
What is the proper technique to self-arrest and brake a fall, given steep icy (frozen snow) slope, when wearing crampons and wielding an ice axe? Should the crampons be used for stopping or held high ...
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What style crampon should I use for my hiking boots and how do I adjust them?
I've been using microspikes on my hiking boots and find that they aren't up to the challenge of hiking up snowy peaks. I use snowshoes but find some mountains would be better served by crampons and ...
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