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Crampons for traditional mountaineering
Click on an image you like to see the full version; broadband folks can click here to see the full sized page.
My GAB crampons are solidly attached by a lever and single strap
around the ankle with the buckle on the inside (see below).
The toe clamp is in place in the manufactured groove in my La Sportive Makalu
boots. Although it is hard to see in this photo,
the twin rear posts of the GAB crampons are fitted over the rear of the boot
heal.
My crampons are solidly attached, fitted tightly to the boots so
that they do not fall off before the strap is attached.
This is a traditional test of fit and is not meant to be more than a
demonstration of fit. Note that the front bale is secured in the
manufactured front grove on the Makalu boots. Note the manufactured rear groove
on the boot into which the rear lever is snapped - "hence, snap on crampons".
There are fittings back of the ball of the foot for another keeper strap. I
finally took this extra strap off for light and fast climbing, because I feel
that
if the crampons were to come off, they would be still attached by the rear
strap.
I used these "Merrill Reflex Mid Waterproof" "boots" and "Stubai
light weight strap-on aluminum crampons" to summit Mt. Adams this last summer.
The Merrells are truly waterproof and very strong. I wore them all summer,
clambering all over our local volcanoes; on Adams
they worked well on the long rough 4,000 foot approach and the 3,000 feet of
snow climbing. The strap-on Stubai aluminum crampons were excellent.
I usually have the buckles on the inside where I can reach them
and I changed them over after these photos were taken..
Conventional wisdom dictates that the buckle and strap end be of the outside so
as too not trip the un-wary.
But I am a lazy, stiff, wary guy, and I like my buckles on the inside where I
can reach them. Yes, I wear a size 14.
Copyright© 2004 by Robert Speik. All Rights Reserved.
Also read . . .
How do I avoid
avalanches?
What is an avalanche cord?
Tumalo
Mountain a wintertime treat
A map of know avalanche areas near Bend, Oregon
What should I
know about climbing Mt. Hood?
Broken
Top winter ascent
Basic Responsibilities
Ten Essentials
