We will be starting back on the AT March 15th in mid-VA. We are looking for some light-weight ice grippers that we could take with us if we encounter areas of slippery ice. I see that Yaxtrax do not hold up well but what have others found that are more heavy duty but also light-weight?
Scamp & Greylock
I have been using Kahtoona hiking crampons in the White Mountains the past two winters. They are a modified crampon with shorter tines made for hiking. They can quickly be adjusted to fit over any boot and are hinged so you can use with a soft boot and still have the boot bend. They would take up a little space though. When I hiked in the Grand Canyon in January I used a pair of instep crampons on the icey rim. They are small and do the job but you have to be careful and make sure you plant the instep first which is an unnatural gate for hiking. Either way be careful and safe, good luck.
Big B
i just finished doing a slack pack in southwest va. i was wearing my brand new yak trax when i started this morning. by the time i had hiked 3 miles, the right one blew out. by the time i had hiked 5 miles the left one blew out. they are being returned to the outfitter tonite.
crash test dummy
Crash Test Dummy,
Are you the IAT thru-hiker I met 35 miles from Abol Bridge on August 26th? If so, I hope your hike has been going well.
Bankrobber
The White Mountains are in my back yard so I get to go there on weekends. As for other trips, time off is one of the perks to a government job. Good pay, short hours, time off ah the joys of eating at the publis trough:)
Big B
I just ordered a pair of Surefott Get-A-Grip a few days ago. Somewhere I read that they are more durable than Yak Trax. You might want to look up their site and see if they will work for you.
kathy hay
What government job lets you attempt a thru-hike two years in a row, and still have that job?
Buffy
Thanks for your input. We’ll use your info to research this further. We also discovered some called Ice Walker Hook-On Cleats (made by Covell Interprises,ltd.) with a heavy duty neoprene strap that fits over the instep holding a lightweight steel grip plate under the foot. Haven’t tested them out yet, but will give them a try.
Scamp & Greylock