Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board crampons

Lots of posting about using crampons in the snow chute. Are you using the full crampon or the instep cheapo brand (which we have)? Can you get by with those or without crampons and just an ice axe? Going in later this week.

my view is that the "instep sheapo brand" as you called them should only be used in places where no crampons are needed. If conditions call for crampons, then you should use the real thing and also have an ice axe to self-arrest.

Thanks. I have climbed on a lot of snowfields, but usually mid-summer and have found I haven't needed them. But after reading a recent report from, I think it was Rick, it appears it might be easier to get to Trail Crest (or more apparently) down if I had them. This is the first climb for my son, so I will go hunting for some. Do you know if they are available to rent?

There was just a post yesterday about somebody renting gear at <A href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003045">Lone Pine Sporting Goods</A>. I could not find the post but the link is to a previous topic.

Yeah, I would recommend regular crampons until things change. If the snow gets real soft then you can get by without them. Remember that though it hasn't happened this year people have died on that slope in the past (most recently a couple years ago).

I too have a pair of instep crampons. I thought they might be useful but now after 2 years I've still never used them. If I think I might need to bring crampons I always bring the big boys. I suspect however that the insteps might come in handy on the switchbacks once a path is carved through the snowy sections.

-Rick

You can rent crampons at REI - look on the internet to find which stores have what - thats what we are doing for a climb next week, but I'm starting to hope we might squeak through, though I'm not going to count on it.

As I mentioned on another thread we summited on June 6 and there were two people I saw with instep crampons having a much harder time "duck walking" toes out (more of a Charlie Chaplin crawl, really) up the chute. There will be plenty of steps to follow, but you'll want toe spikes to dig, and to step naturally, especially if it's icy. I've got Grivel Airtech aluminums that work wonderfully and they're light enough that you forget you're wearing them -- especially when glissading. (No, no, that was a joke. DON'T glissade with your crampons on.) Good luck.

Thanks to everyone for all the crampon info. I was planning on using the "cheapo crampons", but now I think I'll rent the big boys for my group. Come by and say hello to my group of 4 (2 guys and 2 girls) heading up Friday morning. We're spending 2 nights at Trail Camp. Hope to meet some of you on the mountain.

John

You have all been a tremendous help. My son and I are leaving at 3:00 this morning and hope to be out on trail by 10:00. I appreciate very much Rick's caution. We are now $200 + lighter and the proud owners of two sets of new ***** Diamond crampons. I can't wait to use them on Friday....

Happy Climbing. I am approaching my 50th birthday and was four when my father first took me in above South Lake. I have such great respect for these mountains and it is nice to see such a strong community of climbers and Sierrans working to share and preserve them.

Thanks again...
Lehew

For big boy crampon rental. In L.A. pls call A16
x street pico & sepulveda tel:310-473-4574. REI only Santa Ana, Orange County available for rental. Tel: 714-543-4142. That's all I know. Always call for availibility b4 you go to the stores. I will pick up our crampon from A16 Friday night. Group of 4 will be camping at Trail Camp 06/25 night. Good luck to your climb. Perry

Little Mistake - Big Mistake

Little Mistake = Having crampons and an ice ax and not needing them.

Big Mistake = Not having crampons and an ice ax and needing them.

I am looking to rent crampons and an ice ax for 6/27 through 6/28. I called Lone Pine Sporting Goods and they had none available for these dates. Does anyone know of other places near Lone Pine that rent these items on short notice? Thanks in advance.