Frankly, I'd be more worried about losing the screw. I can't tell from the photo, so it isn't clear if the screw is in a threaded portion of the crampon metal, or if there is a lock-nut somewhere.

I have an "older" set of Stubai crampons that have a screw and a pin that fits through a hole behind the screw. I never had the screw loosen; but the crampons are essentially non-adjustable once you were out on a trip, unless you carry a toolkit and are dexterous when your fingers are cold. If your boots are very stiff, your "at home" adjustment is probably the only one you'll need.

However, I've adjusted my crampons in the field many times, when I was wearing less-stiff boots.

If you are going from TX directly to someplace with snow, and are worried about the fit of the crampons, try this:

Go to a park or someplace with grass turf, especially on a hillside (in TX). Put on the boots and crampons and walk around for a while. Turf usually exerts more pull than snow, so if the crampons don't pop off there, they are probably good for snow. This will also give you a chance to practice tying the straps, and process that can seem quite mystical at 13000'. And, you will convince your neighbors that you are insane.

squishy wrote:Dude you just gave me the best idea. I borrowed one of those lawn airators from a neighbor, the ones with the two hole punches that you stand on like a shovel. I sucked, took forever o do a small patch of lawn. I think I am just going to put the crampons on and start walking on my lawn...thanks...

I've done that! And yes, my neighbors definitely must think I'm nuts.

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I should have read page 2 before posting

squishy wrote:Dude you just gave me the best idea. I borrowed one of those lawn airators from a neighbor, the ones with the two hole punches that you stand on like a shovel. I sucked, took forever o do a small patch of lawn. I think I am just going to put the crampons on and start walking on my lawn...thanks...

That process won't remove any mass, so the holes will probably close up pretty quickly. I know some file-to-a-razor-point purists would disdain this approach, but MikeTX's crampons look like they have done some "mixed" climbing already.

And of course, the points get caked with mud.

I use my old strap-on SMC crampons on my yard. It won't pull up any small divets but, by rocking back and forth when walking I get some good holes.

And more to the OP, the adjustment screw on mine hasn't budged in years and they were fully abused.

This attachment looks just like the attachment point of my old Charlet-Moser S-12s. I used the crap out of them and wore out 2 pairs. Never had the screw fall out or break.