I have a lot of experience with MSR Lightning Ascents over the past two years climbing ADK High Peaks and elsewhere. There is a serious design problem with the crampon, not only in my experiences but with other's (ask Highonlife or Kerry).
The problem is the design, material and construction of the crampon and plate which is the support of the binding assembly. The binding is attached to the crampon by two rivets near the points of the crampons. I have had breakage occur three times with the rivet pulling out and the plate breaking across the rivet holes. In one case the crampon points were completely gone. MSR replaced my Lightnings twice already and this time they are saying they will replace only the binding. The latest rivet pull-out occurred on descending Nippletop-Dial ridge in deep snow on Dec. 11. I think this occurred because I was lifting my feet up while descending (admittedly fast) to avoid submarining. I also broke the binding on my wife's Lightnings (women's model) on the Santanonis in November (MSR replaced the binding). This break occurred where the plate rests on the front cross bar (this same break happened last spring to Kerry). Lastly, I consider my weight (160 lb w/o pack) and type of snowshoe use well within the "normal" limits. I'm just an old guy trying to have a little fun
. If I am breaking them, it will happen to anyone (ask Highonlife or Kerry, who are even smaller).
Well, my wife's generosity ended and I was ordered to stop using her snowshoes (which had been my backup when mine were repeatedly broken and being repaired/replaced). So after the Dec. 11 break, I bought a pair of MSR Denali evo Ascents which I have been using for the last three weeks.
Comparison of Denalis and Lightnings:
Ascending--about the same, both very sure grip. Denalis with the steel side strips might be a little better on icy/hard surfaces. The Denali 3-point crampons are more aggressive than the 2-points on the Lightnings. The plastic on Denalis takes a hit on rock but so does the aluminum frame on the Lightnings. Overall I think the Denalis hold up a little better with the metal side bars. The frame forms a snow cavity on the Lightnings and the whole perimeter of the frame adds to grip.
Descending--Denalis do not slide as well downhill; when I would like to glide, they still grip and don't go as fast as the Lightnings. Lightnings have excellent control on descent (but don't lift your feet or you'll pull out the rivets). But they are grippier than my old Tubbs Sierras which slide uncontrollably downhill. I remember several situations where I calmly walked downhill on crusty snow when companions were afraid for their lives on other snowshoes.
Flotation--Lightnings are much better in deeper snow with the flexible decking and cavity around the metal perimeter. I wonder if the optional tails on the Denali will help much, especially when climbing, since when climbing steeply uphill in deep snow the tails are out in the air and all the action is in the front and under foot.
Overall, I prefer the Lightnings but MSR needs to redesign and strengthen the crampon to make it durable enough for "normal use". Surely, they know this by now and it wouldn't be difficult to do. My guess is that the marketing people don't want this because it would probably make the Lightning heavier and/or more expensive. As long as they continue to replace mine (and now that I have a good backup with the Denalis), I guess I can wait.
