Post by: ganghis on September 02, 2022, 01:16:46 PM
But this is actually a serious question. Has anyone had experience with lightweight aluminum crampons (like the Petzl Leopard) on wet vegetation in the Cascades? There are a couple of basins for the high hunt that I go to that are pretty sketchy getting in and out of when they're wet (like 40 degree slopes covered with heather or blueberry bushes). It's normally like a 3 steps forward, two steps back situation with veggie belays getting out of there and I was thinking lightweight crampons might solve that problem. But I know aluminum crampons are less durable and wouldn't want to do it if they were done after a few uses. I could bring my steel grivels but that seems like more weight than is necessary. Anyone use anything else for this situation? Yaktrax?
Post by: Stein on September 02, 2022, 02:20:49 PM
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RXXM42E/?coliid=IWCOJUUUMBEG9&colid=12E8G8KHTKR5X&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
There are a bunch of YouTubes, several manufacturers make similar things and they have more or less aggressive spikes to fit whatever need a guy has.
I try not to use them as I have a habit of shredding my gaiters whenever I would use actual crampons.
Post by: 7mmfan on September 02, 2022, 02:56:26 PM
Post by: Rob on September 02, 2022, 06:21:33 PM
I have used steel crampons in vegetation before while transitionig from one snow patch to another. I found that they like to snag on roots and bushes and become a tripping hazard. They do work pretty well on rocks once you get use to them.
I would vote for micro spikes i suppose if your boots are not working well enough. Be advised that vegitation likes to pickpocket microspikes!
Post by: Bushcraft on September 02, 2022, 09:06:39 PM
Foot fangs and whippets FTW.
#TheMountainDoesNotCare
Post by: jackelope on September 02, 2022, 10:37:00 PM
It's all fun and games in the backcountry until it's not.
Foot fangs and whippets FTW.
#TheMountainDoesNotCare
Those are the microspikes, no?
Post by: Stein on September 02, 2022, 10:37:56 PM
Post by: Smokepole on September 03, 2022, 06:01:04 AM
Post by: O. Nerka on September 03, 2022, 06:07:18 PM
Post by: Okanagan on September 04, 2022, 07:23:23 AM
I have a pair of the Kahtoola Microspikes. They have been absolute lifesavers in some situations like you're describing.
^^ This^^
I'm on my second pair of Kahtoola Microspikes and never leave home without them. First pair lasted five years of much use. I wear them picking berries in summer, hunting on wet wood and slick steep slopes in the Fall, on ice and snow predator calling in winter. Easy on, easy off, they work way better than I expected. Kinda pricey for how simple they are but well worth it.
I have full mountaineering crampons, which are too much for most hunting, though I'd sure take them if hunting mountain goats again. Yaktrax are good for icy sidewalks in town and I have a pair for that, but they don't have enough bite for icy alpine slopes, etc. Microspikes for the use you describe.
Post by: Knocker of rocks on September 04, 2022, 10:56:56 AM
It's all fun and games in the backcountry until it's not.
Foot fangs and whippets FTW.
#TheMountainDoesNotCare
Those aren’t Foot Fangs
Post by: highside74 on September 04, 2022, 02:28:52 PM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on September 04, 2022, 02:36:28 PM
Post by: ganghis on September 06, 2022, 06:27:44 AM
Post by: Rob on September 06, 2022, 01:21:47 PM
Post by: Humptulips on September 06, 2022, 02:20:00 PM
Post by: Bushcraft on September 07, 2022, 09:37:50 PM
It's all fun and games in the backcountry until it's not.
Foot fangs and whippets FTW.
#TheMountainDoesNotCare
Those aren’t Foot Fangs
Correct. Foot fangs was a play on words.
I'm running Hillsound Trail Crampons.
While somewhat similar, the Kahtoola Microspikes are okay and marginally lighter, but they are no where near as good as the Hillsounds on steep dirt, scree, bare rock, logs, slide alder, grass, river crossings, blueberries, heather, snow and ice. They stick to everything. It's crazy. Just put them on and go wherever you want. Especially if you're running good stiff soled boots like the Scarpas in the picture. I had just carried the last half of a boned out buck a couple thousand feet down an avalanche chute and was resting up before I waded the river while heading back to camp. Just check 'em every now and again to make sure they haven't slipped around like this one did a little bit off the heel.
And yes, I've ran both of the Kahtoolas and the Hillsounds as well as the Black Diamond Contacts (but those have only been for glacier travel and while crossing a snowfield with a sometimes sketchy runout during The Season That Can't Be Named ;) ).