Crampon Modifications and Repair Kit

[Paul Skelly]

Well, I recently picked up a pair of Cassin 10-pt steel crampons from Sierra Trading Post for $39, and intend to use them with the '03 Koflach Degrees I picked up from Hilton's Tent City last spring (another good deal!). I took the Boston AMC Winter Course last winter (I highly recommend it for those in MA), and was told by a few folks to expect to have to modify crampons in order to get them to fit properly on your boots. I was pretty surprised at how much modification I'm going to have to do...

First off, I replaced the flat-head screw that was holding together the rigid joint... My reasoning is that it is a pain to torque down a shallow flat head screw at home, and could be really difficult with shaky hands outdoors at -10degF. I replaced the screw with a hex-head bolt and nut held taught with lock-tight. In my repair kit I will be carrying an allen wrench and nut-driver. Both should work well with outer mittens on. I also will be carrying a couple extra bolts.

Now, I have to address the front bail, which is too narrow to fit on the front of the Degrees. I'm probably going to use a vise to open up the wire bail.

So, what other interesting modifications have VFTTer's made to their winter gear over the years? And what else would a responsible mountaineer carry with them in their crampon repair kit (for themselves and others)?

 

[NH_Mtn_Hiker]

I picked up a pair of La Sportiva K4S's earlier this year on closeout. Today I got a pair of B.D. Sabretooth's for the boots at EMS's 20% off sale. They fit the boots perfectly. The only modification I made was replacing the stock rubber strap with a nylon stap and a quick release buckle.

 

[Mark_151]

I'm surprised you had so much trouble with your crampons. I use BS Sabretooths, and with just a length adjustment, they fit my Alpina Mount leathers, Lowa Civetta plastics, and even my Garmont Excursion bc ski boots.

 

[Paul Skelly]

Interesting... I just checked out the BD Sabertooths and they appear to have a plastic front piece similar to the strap-on crampons I'm familiar with, instead of wire bail up front. That does look alot easier to set-up.

 

[snowshoe]

I like to use crampons with strapes. If the strape breaks all you need is rope or I like to carry an extra strap with me. If I have to modify my equipment then I dont get it, especially mountaineering equipment.

 

[paul ron]

No lock-tite

Don't use lock tite on your screws, use lock nuts instead. The lock nuts have a plastic insert meant for this sort of abuse.

 

[deadpoint]

don't modify your crampons you'll weaken the structural indegrity, modify your boots instead or buy a different pair of crampons. the front posts on my cassin 12 points didn't fit well so i made knotches in my degre's for them to slide into. i can use them for climbing moderate ice now.