Tim Seaver
Well-known member
NL Crampon Mods
( I had PM'ed some info to Jay, but wanted to post something here , so...)
Yes, the NL crampon does suck. Once it's buttery soft aluminum teeth have worn down to a useless nub (like, maybe your third hike), you will be doomed to fearing for your life every time you see an icy patch, or at least be prone to sudden attacks of "dance fever" when crossing them. It doesn't have to be that way. You CAN have a light snowshoe AND have good traction.
One approach is Cannibalization, taking the crampons from another pair of snowshoes and forcing them upon the NL's deck, the other is adding stainless plates that mimic the original crampon design, but add just a bit of height (and possibly width).
Here are a few pics of the Cannibal approach, using the lovely and substantial SS crampon from a pair of Kahtoola snowshoes that innocently wandered into the garage one day...needless to say they were never seen again except on milk cartons here and there:
...and the fava beans were fabulous...
Cannibal Rising
Cath converted her NL's with parts from some Redfeather snowshoes, bindings and all, and had a local ski shop do the bloody work for peanuts:
And here are a few pics of the parts for the "plate by plate" style. All work was done with just a vise, a hacksaw, a file, and a pop rivet gun.
...and the finished crampon:
Quid pro quo. Yes or no?
The blue plastic "anti-snow" plates are cut from a roll-up kiddie sled - this is one thing that could be improved upon - it's not thick enough and tends to roll or fold at the edges from crusty snow.
( I had PM'ed some info to Jay, but wanted to post something here , so...)
Yes, the NL crampon does suck. Once it's buttery soft aluminum teeth have worn down to a useless nub (like, maybe your third hike), you will be doomed to fearing for your life every time you see an icy patch, or at least be prone to sudden attacks of "dance fever" when crossing them. It doesn't have to be that way. You CAN have a light snowshoe AND have good traction.
One approach is Cannibalization, taking the crampons from another pair of snowshoes and forcing them upon the NL's deck, the other is adding stainless plates that mimic the original crampon design, but add just a bit of height (and possibly width).
Here are a few pics of the Cannibal approach, using the lovely and substantial SS crampon from a pair of Kahtoola snowshoes that innocently wandered into the garage one day...needless to say they were never seen again except on milk cartons here and there:
...and the fava beans were fabulous...
Cannibal Rising
Cath converted her NL's with parts from some Redfeather snowshoes, bindings and all, and had a local ski shop do the bloody work for peanuts:
And here are a few pics of the parts for the "plate by plate" style. All work was done with just a vise, a hacksaw, a file, and a pop rivet gun.
...and the finished crampon:
Quid pro quo. Yes or no?
The blue plastic "anti-snow" plates are cut from a roll-up kiddie sled - this is one thing that could be improved upon - it's not thick enough and tends to roll or fold at the edges from crusty snow.
