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Does anyone know a shop that has crampons in stock?

ChristopherFranklin wrote:Does anyone know a shop that has crampons in stock?

NAU Outdoors, located in Flag ...

http://home.nau.edu/outdoors/equipment_rental.asp

I've been to both REI's they don't have any in store. I'll have to check out NAU. Thanks guys

does NAU sell or only rent??

The quoted NAU site offers INSTEP crampons for rent. I'm guessing you want real crampons. Where are you going and when? REI on-line will deliver crampons to a local store, or your house. The advantage is that if delivered to the store, you can try them on right there, and get your money back if they don't fit your boots.

Many destinations (e.g. East Sierra, Cascades) have stores that will rent crampons, and you can get to try on a variety, and the salespeople SHOULD make sure they fit your boots and that you understand the strapping system. What boots do you plan to use with the crampons? That makes a lot of difference. Generally, most places you will want to wear crampons, you will also want to carry an ice axe.

I'm doing Mt Whitney in the spring.

ChristopherFranklin wrote:I'm doing Mt Whitney in the spring.

Well, that's a long ways off. Mountaineer's route or trail? Either one, you will want crampons with front points, 10 or 12 point, certainly not in-step. Is spring June 19, or April?

TRY YOUR PREFERRED BOOTS WITH THE CRAMPONS. If that's not possible, you may have to cut into the boot soles to make sure there is a good fit. Some strap-on crampons have a low back harness, not compatible with many boots (e.g. the old BD contacts could be a problem). If your boots are burly enough, you may be able to go with step-in crampons, or semi-automatic.

Many folks from our local club have done Whitney by the mountaineer's route in April, just using g10s, AND AN ICE AX. Even the "trail" is a nasty place in April.

Pick your boots (at least commit to a particular type), then pick your crampons. The most widely adaptable crampons are strap-on 10-12 point. Recent threads have bemoaned the pairing of softer-soled boots with non-flexible crampons. The best bite comes from crampons that have a rigid connecting bar, suitable for boots that have the equivalent of a 1/2 to 3/4 shank. Soft boots may demand a crampon with a flexi-bar between the front and back.

If you go up the mountaineer's route in spring, you will certainly want to have an ice ax, for self-belay and self-arrest.

Moutaineers route in May. I bought LaSportivas designed for crampons so don't I need step ins?

I work at NAU Outdoors and we do not rent crampons. We had instep crampons but they suck and aren't things that we rent out anymore. The website needs to be updated. We have 10 point BD crampons for program courses, but those have been sitting in a dusty closet for awhile due to the lack of programing that would require their use. I also work at Babbits Backcountry and we sell Kahtoola crampons, but those are aluminum

ChristopherFranklin wrote:Moutaineers route in May. I bought LaSportivas designed for crampons so don't I need step ins?

You probably do not need strap-ons. Some La Sportiva will take newmatic (metal clip/bail on the heel, strap in the front), some will take step-ins. All their mountaineering boots will work with strap-ons. The literature with the boots will give the compatibility. The lighter boots (1/2 to 3/4 shank) typically have a heel compatible with newmatic; the stiffer boots are compatible with step-in also.

Our club did the mountaineer's route in April of a snowy year; most folks just had g10 strap-ons. They had scuzzy snow, so drove the ax in deep with each step on the last 400', self-belayed.

Recognize that "step-in" crampons are not at all like instep ("in-step") crampons. Step-ins are typically at the high end, have at least 12 points, and have fixtures that clamp them securely to the toe and heel of your boots. Instep crampons fit under the instep of the shoe, and typically have just 4-6 points; they are made for icy trails and low-angle snow slopes, and were more popular in the older, slower days when folks kicked or cut steps.

They're LaSportiva Makalu's they have a full metal shank. Their website recommends an "automatic" crampon whatever that is.

ChristopherFranklin wrote:They're LaSportiva Makalu's they have a full metal shank. Their website recommends an "automatic" crampon whatever that is.

Those are the crampons that clip securely to the heels and toes, so there is a rigid, usually no-slip connection between the boot and crampon -- your most secure choice.

http://www.sportiva.com/about/technology/crampons-101

Step-in = automatic

Ok cool I read black diamond sabretooth pro's work well with my boots is this accurate?

Yes they should. The best bet is to try them on, but since that is not a possibility buy, try on, make sure they fit real good, and be willing to return if you do not like them. I have a pair of the black diamond sabretooth, and I love them. However, they are not the pro version, but I imagine you will like them just as much. They are a good quality product from a good quality company!