Crampons
Crampons are traction devices used to improve mobility on snow and ice during ice climbing.[1] There are three main attachment systems for footwear: step-in, hybrid, and strap bindings. The first two require boots with welts, the last adapt to any type.
Oscar Eckenstein designed the first 10-point crampon in 1908, dramatically reducing the need for step cutting. This design was then made commercially available by the Italian Henry Grivel.
Contents |
Characteristics [edit]
Materials [edit]
Crampons are made of hardened steel, light weight aluminium, or a combination of the two. Lighter weight crampons are popular for alpine ski touring where demands are generally lower and light weight a premium.
Points [edit]
Early 10-point crampons lacked forward angled spikes and thus required step cutting on steep terrain. In the 1930s two additional forward-slanting points were added, making them exceptional for mountaineering and glacier travel and beginning a revolution in front pointing. Today[when?], a range of models exist, including specialised crampons with as many as 14 points and models with single points for ice climbing.
Attachment [edit]
Crampons are fastened to footwear by means of a binding system. Improved attachment systems - such as a cam action "step-in" system similar to a ski binding and particularly well adapted to plastic technical mountaineering boots - have widely increased crampons use. Crampons also utilise a full "strap-in" system and a "hybrid" binding that features a toe strap at the front and a heel lever at the back.[2]
Anti-balling [edit]
To prevent snow from balling up under crampons, especially in temperatures around freezing, most models can be fitted with plastic or rubber "anti-balling" systems to reduce build-up. Rubber models use flexion to repel snow while plastic employ a hydrophobic surface to prevent adhesion.
Grades [edit]
Crampons are graded C1, C2 and C3 relative to their flexibility and general compatibility with different styles of boots.[3] No crampons are suitable for B0 boots (flexible walking boots).
| Use | B1 boot (semi stiff) | B2 boot (fully stiff) | B3 boot (technical climbing boot) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 crampon | relatively flexible walking crampon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| C2 crampon | versatile crampon for both walking and mountaineering | No | Yes | Yes |
| C3 crampon | technical mountaineering crampon | No | No | Yes |
Ski crampons [edit]
Specialized "ski crampons" are employed in ski mountaineering on hard snow and ice. Far more common in the Alps than in the US, these ski crampons are known by their European names: Harscheisen (German), couteaux (French) and coltelli (Italian)[citation needed], literally French and Italian for "knives" in those tongues.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Cox, Steven M. and Kris Fulsaas, ed., ed. (2003-09). Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills (7 ed.). Seattle: The Mountaineers. ISBN 0-89886-828-9.
- ^ "Crampon Attachment". Crampons Guide.
- ^ "The Hike Boot Grading System and the Crampon Grading System". H2G2.
External links [edit]
- Crampon Review from Climbing Magazine, No. 226, December 2003.
- Caltech Alpine Club's guide to crampons
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Crampons |
