12
votes
What should you do if your crampons start balling up?
I usually dislodge snow by kicking something: a rock, tree, some ice, or by stomping on a patch of hard ground. Kicking toe first into the snow can dislodge it as well, but often it depends on the ...
- 53.3k
11
votes
Can microspikes replace crampons when crossing ice in summer?
Absolutely yes. I don't leave my home without them (well, another model than the one you linked) if there is any chance of hitting snow/ice during a hike. For such hikes, they always, at any time of ...
- 1,898
11
votes
Accepted
What are the advantages of horizontal front points on crampons?
Think of a shovel, you use the sharp edge to cut into the snow, and the flat blade to pack it down. When you're climbing soft ice, you don't want to cut through it, you want it to support your foot so ...
- 53.3k
10
votes
When to sharpen crampons?
According to Will Gadd, you should sharpen your crampons and ice tools after every use.
If you spend just a minute or two after each trip–sometimes you won't even need a minute, just give them a look ...
- 53.3k
10
votes
Accepted
When to sharpen crampons?
I usually sharp my crampons when I am expecting icy conditions, that means glare ice. Especially when you go steep and need front point technique, you need to rely on those points - all your bodys ...
- 12.1k
10
votes
What are the use cases for ski crampons over boot crampons?
The answer to this question at its most basic level is generally use your ski crampons until you would feel more safe using boot crampons. I suspect since you asked this question you aren't very ...
- 9,628
7
votes
Can microspikes replace crampons when crossing ice in summer?
Depends on how steep your ice patch is.
Crampons are really good when you have steep slopes and you need to do some real front pointing. Crampons are good for mixed climbing as well. They are also ...
- 7,795
7
votes
What are the use cases for ski crampons over boot crampons?
This is an excellent article comparing the two.
Use the ski when you need the grip but still want the flotation of the ski. You are limited to how steep you can go with a ski. This is a picture of ...
- 7,148
7
votes
What style crampon should I use for my hiking boots and how do I adjust them?
Compatibility
I am not familiar with the rating system (B0-3, C0-2) mentioned in other answer, but the compatibility of boots and crampons boils down to two questions:
Do the boots have a welt/lip ...
- 21.6k
7
votes
Accepted
Can I get crampons for small feet?
I have a pair of Charlet Moser walking crampons, and just for fun, I fit them onto my 3 year old's size 25 winter boots (US/CAN size 9C):
I had to cheat of course, I removed the bar that attaches the ...
- 53.3k
7
votes
Ice axe and crampon post winter cleaning/preparation
I am not exactly the guy who have been doing that year by year, but I have some thoughts about cleaning and packing the gear after a high altitude expedition. I think some of it can be applied to your ...
- 31.6k
6
votes
Accepted
What crampon front-point setup options are specific for various types of ice climbing?
The single point setup was developed to aid in very high technical levels of mixed climbing.
Dual points can make it hard to keep the crampon on small rock holds. Also in certain kinds of ice, the ...
6
votes
What are the use cases for ski crampons over boot crampons?
Ski crampons are used on frozen crust, most often in springtime when the crust will melt into corn snow before the descent. They cannot be used on extremely steep terrain (over 25-30 degrees) because ...
- 61
6
votes
Can microspikes replace crampons when crossing ice in summer?
It depends, if the snow is pretty level and you don't need the front points on the crampons to get up things, then yes microspikes can be a good substitute as they are certainly lighter and don't ...
- 69.1k
4
votes
What should you do if your crampons start balling up?
The warning sign of balling up is that your boots will be noticeably heavier due to the snow sticking to them. Once that happens your options include
Lift up one boot at a time and knock the side of ...
- 69.1k
4
votes
Accepted
Gear for slush-over-ice
Snow shoes.
Not just any snow shoes, but those with metal edges and crampon-like teeth below the foot. They increase your traction on slush a lot and if you encounter ice on the top or get deep enough ...
- 21.6k
4
votes
How do I strengthen my ankles for long, steepish, snow and glacier routes?
Go jogging.
Not on asphalt or paved roads, go "off-piste". Woodland trails are great. If you are able to, choose low shoes with low to moderate damping. Then run. Jogging over uneven ground is what I ...
- 935
4
votes
Accepted
How do I strengthen my ankles for long, steepish, snow and glacier routes?
Get a balance board. When you brush your teeth, stand on it with bare feet and balance. Once you become stronger, balance standing on one foot. I did this during marathon training with good results.
...
- 841
3
votes
What crampon front-point setup options are specific for various types of ice climbing?
There are many different crampon geometries. While the exact choice comes down to personal preference, let's discuss the canonical choices and intended uses. I will limit my discussion to automatic/...
- 4,000
3
votes
Carrying crampons safely when not using them
Just face the pointy bits towards each other and wrap the webbing around the bundle to keep them together. I then just chuck them in the bottom of my bag if I know I don't need them or in the top if I ...
- 1,848
2
votes
What should you do if your crampons start balling up?
One tip I’ve found helpful is to make sure you leave your crampons out of your tent overnight, so starting out they’re the same temperature as the snow.
- 21
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