yeah protects from embarrising accidents but can ruin your clothes if used improperly.
Anyone know anything about Crampons
- Thread starter robj20
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yeah protects from embarrising accidents but can ruin your clothes if used improperly.
How does an axe stop you slipping?
stick it in the snow/ice/ground as you walk. remember axe always goes on the uphill side
also if you're taking an axe learn self arrest to the point you can do it without thinking or you can end up in a incredibly painful/fatal position.
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^That.
Where are you walking out of interest? I didn't need any last winter in the lakes. Solid boots were even fine for Helvellyn.
stick it in the snow/ice/ground as you walk. remember axe always goes on the uphill side
also if you're taking an axe learn self arrest to the point you can do it without thinking or you can end up in a incredibly painful/fatal position.
Stick it in the ground? Wouldnt that mean you have already fallen over, unless your ice axe is more like a walking stick.
Going round Snowdon and Ben Nevis between Christmas and new year.
Which routes? The safe routes you could probably do with instep crampons, some I'd not think about without getting training to use the crampons and axe.
uphill side, depends where you are but normally perfectly long enough.,
also when you say "going round snowdon" please tell me you aren't thinking of buying crampons just to plod up with all the old folks?
Wetherlam 2010
Close up of my ex army crampons, strap ons
They are super sharp with long spikes but they cost only a few pounds in a surplus store.
Not the lightest kit but for occasional winter walking in the UK are fine.
Sharp edge, Blencathra in winter for LOL's
PS a good ice axe with crampons is essential in winter conditions and know how to use them.
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It doesn't but imo for general UK winter walking crampons aren't helpful, in fact I'd go so far as to say they actually increase the risk of slipping. They tend to clog or ball up on the soft wet snow we tend to get and don't offer anymore grip than a decent boot and they're much more awkward when moving over rocky ground.
They're great on large areas of very firm snow (like glaciers) but that's not something you'll come across here. A walking axe (and the knowledge of how to use it) is much more use in general UK conditions and is sufficent for grade II gully climbs.
Below 600 metres I might agree, but get on any windswept top or slope where freeze thaw occurs and you are on a sheet of ice above the snow. You cannot toe in with boots and wearing crampons with an axe will give you security.
In wet snow I do agree, some stiff winter boots will be suitable, rocky paths will be OK with good boots as well
Wow I didn't expect to find a question like this here! I'm a qualified winter mountain leader and get to spend my winters leading groups walking, climbing and snow holing in Scotland.
For crampons I'd recommend you get to a shop with you boots and see exactly how they fit. Some models/brands just fit a particular boot better. The airtechs you mention are very good! Maybe a little overkill for easy walks but they'll serve you well plus they give you the option to get onto steeper ground in the future should you want. Just make sure they fit properly on the boot and any staff worth their salt in a mountaineering shop should be able to check that through with you.
As for an axe, I really recommend you take one and know how to use it! Walking in crampons/winter in general can often lead to slips and trips and without an axe you'll find it very hard to arrest yourself. Even 'easy' routes can have significant drops along side them. DMM Cirque is a good walking axe, around 50-55cm long depending on how tall you are/preference. There's a wealth of opinion as to how long an axe you should use but generally if you get one in this range you can't go too far wrong.
Lastly, technique. There are lots of techniques for axe and crampon use that aren't immediately obvious and not knowing them can be unfortunate. If you can get a more experienced friend/instructor to do a bit of training with you it can be really worth while (plus lots of fun sliding around!). If you don't want to do that at least check out you tube as there are some pretty good tutorials on there that will give you an idea of different walking styles/how to arrest (stop) a fall.
Hope that's of some use!
For crampons I'd recommend you get to a shop with you boots and see exactly how they fit. Some models/brands just fit a particular boot better. The airtechs you mention are very good! Maybe a little overkill for easy walks but they'll serve you well plus they give you the option to get onto steeper ground in the future should you want. Just make sure they fit properly on the boot and any staff worth their salt in a mountaineering shop should be able to check that through with you.
As for an axe, I really recommend you take one and know how to use it! Walking in crampons/winter in general can often lead to slips and trips and without an axe you'll find it very hard to arrest yourself. Even 'easy' routes can have significant drops along side them. DMM Cirque is a good walking axe, around 50-55cm long depending on how tall you are/preference. There's a wealth of opinion as to how long an axe you should use but generally if you get one in this range you can't go too far wrong.
Lastly, technique. There are lots of techniques for axe and crampon use that aren't immediately obvious and not knowing them can be unfortunate. If you can get a more experienced friend/instructor to do a bit of training with you it can be really worth while (plus lots of fun sliding around!). If you don't want to do that at least check out you tube as there are some pretty good tutorials on there that will give you an idea of different walking styles/how to arrest (stop) a fall.
Hope that's of some use!
All modern crampons will come with anti balling plates (they look like a rubber dome on the inside of the crampon) that will greatly reduce snow build up. A little tap with the axe every now and again will clear out any that does get stuck.
Crampons can at first be awkward to walk in but the benefits far outweigh the cons. It's unlikely you'll need to wear them for the entirety of a walk in the UK but you'll find that on the huge majority of walks above the snowline you'll need to wear them at some point. Even relatively innocuous looking paths can be a nightmare to walk across without crampons due to icy/compacted snow.
I totally understand that i will only be using them for the top few hundreds of meters.
Scarp got back and said the Air Tech in New Matic fitting will be perfect but will need the extension bar.
Think i will take everyones advice and go to Cotswolds, think there is one in town.
Reason im wanting them is that last time i went with just my boots and it was horrible trying to stay upright, my mate had them and was fine.
Snowdons popularity was its curse the paths at the top being so walked made everywhere very slippy and no fresh snow to walk in, those that have been this way will know its only a case of slipping and your gone.
Scarp got back and said the Air Tech in New Matic fitting will be perfect but will need the extension bar.
Think i will take everyones advice and go to Cotswolds, think there is one in town.
Reason im wanting them is that last time i went with just my boots and it was horrible trying to stay upright, my mate had them and was fine.
Snowdons popularity was its curse the paths at the top being so walked made everywhere very slippy and no fresh snow to walk in, those that have been this way will know its only a case of slipping and your gone.
Crampons are only really needed when you're walking on terrain steeper than 45 degrees in my experience. They're hard work to walk in, I prefer to slither about and use an axe to steady myself.
Which routes are you wanting to do? I get the impression you're buying mountaineering kit to go walking on fairly easy paths.
Which routes are you wanting to do? I get the impression you're buying mountaineering kit to go walking on fairly easy paths.