crampons?

being from the north i know sweet f all about cramp ons.... now im in the south im looking at getting some cus everywhere that looks like hunting country is covered in snow and ice. i was having a play in h&f today but i still dont know. is it the bigger and spikier the better or will anything with a spike do the trick? there were ones for 120 that had 20mmish spikes on it and there was a set for 280 that had big 40mmish spikes on it. im kinda on a budget but if i gotta spend some money i will.

cheers

The ones with massive aggro looking front points are for technical ice climbing, you don't need those ones. The ones with no front points at all aren't much good on anything that isn't flat, so you don't want those either. Something in the middle should do the trick - 12 points (maybe 10 if you're a lightweight), clip-on ones need boots with the right bail bits to clip onto so strap-on ones can be a bit more versatile. Clear as mud? Something like this:

iclimb : climbing and outdoor gear

Dont get big front points, can be a pain while walking. (unless you want to climb with them aswell)
Watch where the straps are and type - ie will they work with your boots etc.

kinda makes sense i guess haha, i want em for hunting obviously, and im guessing there might be some climbing involved somewhere? iv got a size 13 hoof too

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Originally Posted by GravelBen

The ones with massive aggro looking front points are for technical ice climbing, you don't need those ones. The ones with no front points at all aren't much good on anything that isn't flat, so you don't want those either. Something in the middle should do the trick - 12 points (maybe 10 if you're a lightweight), clip-on ones need boots with the right bail bits to clip onto so strap-on ones can be a bit more versatile. Clear as mud? Something like this:

iclimb : climbing and outdoor gear

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recon theyd fit a size 13? they look alright and arent to expensive

what about ice axes? do you guys carry one of those aswell?

Go to an outdoor store for advice, like Bivouac. I doubt if the salesman at H&F have much technical knowledge of crampons and ice axes. If you have crampons you HAVE to have an ice axe. If you slip while wearing crampons you have to have an ice axe to be able to self arrest. With crampons only the crampons will probably dig in and then you will start tumbling end over end.
An ice axe with a 75 -80cm shaft is probably what you are after. One that will just about reach the ground when you are standing up right.

Once you have got those then learn how to use them before you go hunting. Doesn't take long, a morning if you are on to it. The technique for self arresting is pretty easy to pick-up but there are a few does and donts. Crampons are a bit different to walk in than just boots. Once again a few tips/tricks but nothing too difficult.

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Originally Posted by stug

Go to an outdoor store for advice, like Bivouac. I doubt if the salesman at H&F have much technical knowledge of crampons and ice axes. If you have crampons you HAVE to have an ice axe. If you slip while wearing crampons you have to have an ice axe to be able to self arrest. With crampons only the crampons will probably dig in and then you will start tumbling end over end.
An ice axe with a 75 -80cm shaft is probably what you are after. One that will just about reach the ground when you are standing up right.

Once you have got those then learn how to use them before you go hunting. Doesn't take long, a morning if you are on to it. The technique for self arresting is pretty easy to pick-up but there are a few does and donts. Crampons are a bit different to walk in than just boots. Once again a few tips/tricks but nothing too difficult.

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thanks pal, ill go for a look first thing tomorrow.

You Tube is full of instructional videos for using crampons/ice axes etc. For what you will be doing (hunting, not climbing) this and a bit of common sense will go a long way.

where in Canterbury are you. Im in timaru. got a pretty good grasp on crampon use (MSC instructor) and need to find new hunting buddies around here

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Originally Posted by robhughes-games

where in Canterbury are you. Im in timaru. got a pretty good grasp on crampon use (MSC instructor) and need to find new hunting buddies around here

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pm'd

Good idea to do a trip with someone experienced to help you learn to use the axe and crampons - knowing the theory is all very well but if you haven't practiced then you won't necessarily have the same reflexive reactions to self-arrest if you do go for a slide on a snow slope.

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Originally Posted by GravelBen

Good idea to do a trip with someone experienced to help you learn to use the axe and crampons - knowing the theory is all very well but if you haven't practiced then you won't necessarily have the same reflexive reactions to self-arrest if you do go for a slide on a snow slope.

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On top of the safety aspect, its bloody good fun to :)
But only if the person on the end of rope (when first starting.... ) is on to it.

Yep great fun! :thumbsup: With a bit of practice the controlled slide makes for a very efficient way back down a hill too.

My preferred way of practicing / teaching self-arrests involves finding a good fast slope with a safe run-out at the bottom.

just a note. never practice or try stopping with crampons on. use your knees! had a buddy climbing in patagonia and he decided to slide down a slope on the decent and for some reason didnt remove his crampons. caught a point and broke a leg.

Mate buy an ice axe and learn to use it.
Crampons are for steep hard snow and you need to know how to use them. !!

If you slip with crampons on and don't have and know how to use an ice axe to stop a slide it's likely to be a broken bone or body bag.

Learn to use an ice axe then progress to crampons is my advice

@silentscope. There seems to be a bit of scaremongering going on here.
Crampons are not hard to use. You walk with them strapped to your feet. There are different techniques used for steeper slopes but I am guessing you are not interested in getting into technical climbing (ropes/screws etc) or blazing up 60 degree slopes, you just want to get across a slope that may look a bit dicey in just your hunting boots. If that is the case just buy some and get walking in the snow/ice on them, slowly working up the difficulty of what you try to find out what you are comfortable with. This is where the common sense comes in. Don't try anything where failure (falling) could cause you too much grief.
They are a great aid when used sensibly and I am sure the local shop that sells them will give you enough advise (type, fitting etc) to get you going.

not scaremongering Shearer. i just know people who have had serious injuries. . just saying be aware of what you dont know and take the learning curve reasonably slowly

I agree.
This is what I am trying too get at with the common sense thing.
I know people who have had serious accidents when not wearing crampons when perhaps they should have.