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Winter hiking crampons and snowshoes advice?

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 01:24:51 No.2269328 View View Reply Original Report

Quoted By: >>2269357 >>2269365 >>2269407 >>2269418 >>2269442 >>2269532 >>2269811 >>2271904

I'm from eastern Canada and I want to do some winter hiking with crampons and snowshoes. I'm a total noob at this so anyone has some gear advice? I do everythibg fron flats to easy hills and more technical terrain. I pretty much made my mind on thr hillsound crampons but which one should I get? Trail, ultras or Pro?

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 02:09:16 No.2269344 Report

Quoted By: >>2269357 >>2271055

Try asking the winter gear thread >>2252636
I'm interested too.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 02:21:02 No.2269357 Report

Quoted By: >>2269365

>>2269328
>>2269344
for microspikes, the chinese kahtoola knockoffs work fine
for snowshoes see >>2257579

you don't need real crampons in eastern canada unless you're iceclimbing, and if you're skilled enough to ice climb you wouldn't be asking here

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 03:07:17 No.2269365 Report

Quoted By: >>2269642

>>2269357
You can amend this to "you don't need crampons unless you know what you're doing". Every time /out/ talks about crampons and climbing boots, they go full sperg, and it becomes disappointingly apparent that winter mountaineering is not practiced by anyone on this board.

>>2269328
OP, I'll give you this advice, from personal experience. Halfway decent boots, proper footwork, and good snow conditions, will get you where you need to go. Pay attention to what you're doing. Don't fear the ice or the loose snow, just be mindful of it.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 05:34:48 No.2269407 Report

Quoted By: >>2269642

>>2269328
Are you able to find the hillsound ones in stock? If not you can consider the Grivel G10, they're kind of OK for any use but not great. They work on regular boots. The anti-balling part works great.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 06:07:46 No.2269418 Report

Quoted By: >>2269642

>>2269328
So technical terrain in mountaineering refers to areas that require either ice climbing or mix climbing, which I doubt you would be looking to achieve with just hillsounds.

I would get either the trails or pros for your purposes, either one is fine. I use Kahtoola that I got on sale and they are great. I believe REI has a sale on the hillsounds trails currently. With more powder on the ground, the pros have an anti-balling plate which would help with snow build-up. You don't really need snowshoe, but if you really want to MSR is the way to go. They just updated the straps to their lightning ascent which is a lot better than the older models. Everyone bitches about post-holing but honestly, just don't go when there's fresh powder on the ground and you'll be fine. The other alternative is to get a good pair of mountaineering boots and learn kick-stepping if you're just walking it on snow and hills. Would be able to transition into actual crampons instead of microspikes if you wanted to continue further into the activity.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 07:26:42 No.2269442 Report

Quoted By: >>2269615 >>2269642

>>2269328
Trail crampons. The “pros” are more annoying to put on with very little or no extra benefit

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 10:15:21 No.2269479 Report

Quoted By: >>2269642

I don't know about Eastern Canada specifically, but as others have said I'd go for micro spikes/traction devices if you're not doing anything steep or icy. They're way better because you don't need specialised boots, they're compact and they're light. I use the Black Diamond Access because I like the rubber attachment system and the fact it doesn't have a bar like in OPs. It means they're even compatible with my trail runners.

For actual crampons I use Grivel G12s because they're real heavy solid steel things. Most mountaineering I do is mixed and rocky and soft aluminium gets trashed on the rock. They also do me for ice and mixed climbing, but the most I do is 50-60 deg ice sheets and moderate rock, not crazy technical stuff. And even then they do ok with the more technical sfuff they're just not totally ideal. I'd probably get the Petzl Dart if I wanted a technical crampon.

Just remember with real crampons you also need proper rigid mountaineering boots. I really see no point in the crampons with bars and plates for regular hiking boots. Just get spikes. The plate and bar add nothing with soft boots.

I use the semi-auto bindings for my G12s as I have semi rigid 3/4 shank boots and fully rigid Nepal Evos so the crampons work with both.

No idea about snow shoes. They're not a thing where I am because of the snow pack and terrain.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 12:17:58 No.2269532 Report

Quoted By: >>2269615

>>2269328
>10 spikes
what is this? crampon for faggots?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 15:29:07 No.2269615 Report

Quoted By: >>2269642 >>2269672 >>2272042

>>2269442
This anon gets it
Use approach shoes and when you get into snow put on back-country/ telemarketing skis or get some snowshoes.

>>2269532
Ice climbers use them--there's really no reason to have them on snow

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 16:33:36 No.2269642 Report

Quoted By:

>>2269365
Are these Salomon winter X 2 decent hiking boots?

>pic related

I've been thinking to return them to take the Salomon M's Quest Winter TS CSWP Winter Boots because they seem sturdier, warmer and more technical

>>2269407
Yeah my local Sail is full of hillsound crampons but it's eother the trails or trails ultra

>>2269418
That's the thing I wonder how important does the quantity and length of the spikes matter? I'm not hiking super technical terrain but packed steep snow, ice, rocks are a thing there and I want something to bite into the ground/ice. I wonder if anti balling devices are worth it or just gimmick

>>2269442
See above. I thought the anti balling features makes it worth it? Does it work?

>>2269479
I'm not into full technical stuff I'm still a casual but thanks for the input

>>2269615
Like I mrntionned above it's only for some technical hikes. I went hiking to lake Morraine this october and there were some steep ice trails and I kept sliding on my ass

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 17:18:40 No.2269672 Report

Quoted By: >>2269806

>>2269615
>telemarketing skis

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 21:24:55 No.2269806 Report

Quoted By: >>2270317

>>2269672
>Telemarking is silly

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 21:35:01 No.2269811 Report

Quoted By:

>>2269328
I wear 8000m moutaineering boots and automatic crampons when walking down my icy drive way to the mailbox.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 22:27:07 No.2269860 Report

Quoted By: >>2269867 >>2269902

Someone explain when you want to use crampons and when you want to use snow shoes? and what type of snow shoe do i even get?
i dont even know anything about proper mountain boots...

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 22:33:30 No.2269867 Report

Quoted By: >>2269875

>>2269860
You use snow shoes in unconsolidated deep snow, you use crampons on ice and steep slopes

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 22:40:41 No.2269875 Report

Quoted By: >>2269883 >>2270340

>>2269867
Ive never seen snow or ice before so I dont quite know what this means.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 22:47:41 No.2269883 Report

Quoted By: >>2269888

>>2269875
If you step on the snow and sink in significantly, you need to wear snow shoes.

If you are walking on ice and slip, you need to wear crampons.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 22:54:26 No.2269888 Report

Quoted By: >>2269889

>>2269883
what do all the types of shoe mean or do? how much does it matter? should i be expected to buy all the types and carry several pairs of snowshoes on me?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 22:56:43 No.2269889 Report

Quoted By:

>>2269888
The larger the snowshoe, the more weight it can support from sinking.

Some snow shoes are better adapted to walking uphill and have a heel lift to do that.

You don't need to buy multiple kinds.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 22 Dec 2021 23:11:45 No.2269902 Report

Quoted By: >>2270320

>>2269860
If you are climbing a frozen waterfall use crampons. Otherwise use snowshoes or pick a better route.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 Dec 2021 17:51:19 No.2270317 Report

Quoted By:

>>2269806
He typed teleMARKETing, though.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 Dec 2021 18:03:20 No.2270320 Report

Quoted By: >>2271031

>>2269902
Uh, no. No, that's not how that works at all.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 Dec 2021 18:39:05 No.2270340 Report

Quoted By: >>2271031

>>2269875
why do you need snow or ice gear if you never see snow or ice

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 24 Dec 2021 21:12:46 No.2271031 Report

Quoted By: >>2271039

>>2270320
Read the thread or go back to Reddlt. The person asking is incapable of understanding anything more complicated than that and you're incapable of being useful.
>>2270340
Stop noticing things

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 24 Dec 2021 21:26:14 No.2271039 Report

Quoted By: >>2271904

>>2271031
The absolute state of this board.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 24 Dec 2021 22:10:05 No.2271055 Report

Quoted By:

>>2269344
I have a very cheap and available option for OP but because he ignored this friendly notice I will not post it here
Check the winter gear thread

Anonymous

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Anonymous Fri 24 Dec 2021 23:20:50 No.2271091 Report

Quoted By: >>2271115 >>2271657 >>2271804

you could go all in with screw-in-spikes and make a pair of porcupine boots. About 40-50 spikes per boot should be enough.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 25 Dec 2021 00:04:51 No.2271115 Report

Quoted By: >>2271680 >>2271853

>>2271091
why would you ruin a pair of boots when you can buy microspikes for like $30?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sun 26 Dec 2021 03:01:11 No.2271657 Report

Quoted By:

>>2271091
>40-50 per boot
Good one

Anonymous

Anonymous Sun 26 Dec 2021 03:44:29 No.2271680 Report

Quoted By:

>>2271115
microspikes a shite

Your fortune: You're on the nice list!

Anonymous

Anonymous Sun 26 Dec 2021 11:04:05 No.2271804 Report

Quoted By:

>>2271091
I might do this since my boots need resole anyway and I cant get them in until spring

Anonymous

Anonymous Sun 26 Dec 2021 14:10:14 No.2271853 Report

Quoted By:

>>2271115
>why would you ruin a pair of boots when you can buy microspikes for like $30?
Because this board is filled with LARPers who believe youtube is an adequate substitute for legitimate outdoors experience

Anonymous

Anonymous Sun 26 Dec 2021 16:34:59 No.2271904 Report

Quoted By:

>>2271039
>Reddlt decreases the quality of online discussion
Yes and?
>>2269328
>I'm a noob but please help me do something super dangerous unsupervised.
If you have to ask what crampons are for you aren't ready to be using them. You should also shouldn't be alone--in fact you should be with someone experienced who should have already explained all this shit.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sun 26 Dec 2021 21:37:47 No.2272042 Report

Quoted By: >>2273901

>>2269615
>hard ice and slightly more than 30 degrees slope
>ice climber
tfw im an ice climber now

Anonymous

Anonymous Sun 26 Dec 2021 21:42:24 No.2272052 Report

Quoted By: >>2272078 >>2273930

Y'all motherfuckers need to learn what KoldKutters are

Anonymous

Anonymous Sun 26 Dec 2021 22:26:03 No.2272078 Report

Quoted By:

>>2272052
Was it autism?

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 30 Dec 2021 01:03:33 No.2273901 Report

Quoted By:

>>2272042
>I climb ice therefore am an ice climber
Yes and? Just like rock climbing: difficulty varies.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 30 Dec 2021 01:50:53 No.2273930 Report

Quoted By:

>>2272052
>Never bring a crampon to a snow machine track
I mean, ok, I guess

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 30 Dec 2021 01:52:19 No.2273931 Report

Quoted By: >>2274655

Are canvas gaiters a bad idea for winter hiking paired with crampons

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 31 Dec 2021 03:31:35 No.2274642 Report

Quoted By: >>2274655

God damn this board kek.

I came to this thread just to see some crampon suggestions that do two simple things: let me hike on frozen lakes with out falling over and ones that’s don’t fall apart after the first 10 miles. So far all ive seen is people saying I shouldn’t get crampons unless I’m planing to scale a glacier wall.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 31 Dec 2021 03:48:12 No.2274655 Report

Quoted By: >>2274664 >>2274689

>>2274642
Any 10 or 12 point crampon by a good manufacturer (Black Diamond, Petzl, Grivel). Aluminium if you want to save weight, steel if you want them to last.

>>2273931
They're a great idea as they'll keep your pants tucked in tight so you don't snag them on your crampons.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 31 Dec 2021 03:58:23 No.2274664 Report

Quoted By: >>2274734

>>2274655
im concerned about the cotton nature of the gaiter though

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 31 Dec 2021 04:29:09 No.2274689 Report

Quoted By: >>2274734

>>2274655
Thanks anon I’ll look into those three brands. I normally prefer online shopping, but this maybe something I go to my local REI and LLBean to look at.

I’m going on a trip to my cabin in Maine this January assuming the ice is safe by then (should be). I’ve had cheap chain/rubber style crampons the last few winter trips, and they have all fallen apart through out the trip.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 31 Dec 2021 06:17:12 No.2274734 Report

Quoted By: >>2274739

>>2274664
Canvas should be solid. Or a heavy nylon, but canvas is probably the most durable.

>>2274689
I answered your question directly, but I should add it also depends on your boots.

Those chain-style microspikes are usually fine for anything that isn't hard ice or 50+deg slopes and have the advantage that they're basically compatible with any hiking boot. Actual mountaineering boots (which you'll need if you want to get actual crampons like the Grivel G12s, Black Diamond Serac, Petzl Sarken - all 12 point steel iirc) are rigid and have no bend in the toe or twist. That rigidity is what keeps the crampon on and eliminates torque on it which means it doesn't fall to pieces.

In my experience (and it sounds like yours) those hybrid chain/crampon things just fall apart because people put them on flexible hiking boots and they just get torqued to pieces. They're just not a good design. The ones from a decent manufacturer may last a bit longer but they'll end the same way.

So keep in mind if you want a proper crampon you may have to invest in new boots too.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 31 Dec 2021 06:28:43 No.2274739 Report

Quoted By:

>>2274734
Thanks for the more in-depth info.

Yeah I don’t have a pair of dedicated winter boots yet. I normally just wear my Red Wing work boots with thick wool socks and that has kept me going, at lest for the kind of hikes I’ve done so far which stay with in a few miles of my cabin, normally only a couple of hours in around 15-25f weather. But I do want to expand the length and scope of my winter hiking, maybe even an over night trip away from the cabin eventually. So I probably will end up getting dedicated boots at some point

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