Re: [at-l] Crampon advice?

[DataBook97@aol.com]

    I've used crampons quite a number of times on my hikes in the Catskills.  
I find the instep crampons to be virtually useless, since (1) you have to be 
certain that you're putting your feet down in a way that the crampons will 
hit the rock before the rest of your foot, and (2) instep crampons come off 
very easily.  So I always use the full-length 12-point crampons.

    Whether or not to wear crampons when there are only patches of ice here 
and there is a tough question.  It takes several minutes to put the crampons 
on, so constantly putting them on and taking them off is not really an 
option.  And it is not pleasant to walk on rocks with them.  Nevertheless, if 
there are sheets of ice covering the trail in many places, and these icy 
spots cannot be bypassed by walking around them, the only safe course of 
action is to wear the crampons for the entire hike (or at least for any part 
of the hike where you might encounter icy conditions).  This will scratch the 
rocks to some extent, but that cannot be helped.  And, of course, it will 
also dull your crampons.  But I think it's the only reasonable alternative 
under these conditions.

        Daniel Chazin
        Teaneck, NJ
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