>>1538236Not really. I'm rocking trail runners, microspikes, poles with snow baskets and an ice axe.
The snow up here has all consolidated and isn't powder. We wake early in the morning for passes and the snow is very icy so all you need are microspikes/crampons. Even later in the day when the sun starts hitting the snow, the slush doesn't get that deep and while walking in it sucks ass, it's perfectly doable with trail runners. Snowshoes would get in the way more than they would help in these conditions.
I don't use gaiters myself since my pants hang over the top of my shoe and keep most things out, but a lot of hikers are using them. I just use waterproof socks when it's slushy to keep my feet dry.
Postholing isn't bad since the snow is so solid, you just have to be careful walking around big rocks, logs and trees as the snow around them is often this surface level and you can easily posthole waist deep.
