Snow Shoes vs. Crampons

[tinaballina]

I am planning to do Mt. Baldy this coming Saturday, as you know Baldy received 2-3 feet of fresh snow. I have never hiked in the snow, does anyone know if snow shoes might be best and/or crampons? I didn't want to have to buy crampons if i don't have to, i can't seem to find a place that rents them in the Inland Empire.
Any advice will be appreciated.

[hvydrt]

There is a REI in Rancho Cucamunga[, they should rent them.
http://www.rei.com/stores/93

[tinaballina]

thank you hvydrt, i did call on them first, they actually don't rent crampons, only snowshoes.

[AlanK]

It is easy for a completely inexperienced person to go out and enjoy himself on snowshoes with negligible risk. It does not take a lot of practice to havea good time with them. It is usually not too hard to find places that rent them.

Crampons are a different story. Usually when someone with no experience asks about them, the reply is that no one should get involved with crampons who is not trained in the use of an ice ax. Personally, I had a fair amount of snowshoe experience and practice in self arrest with an ice ax before I used crampons, and I think that is a sensible approach. In any case, it seems to be hard to come by crampon rentals.

Having made that comment about "negligible risk" I should make the comment that good judgement and common sense are even more important in winter hiking than at other times of the year. "Doing Baldy" may or may not be in the cards, but you can sure go out and have a great time anyway.

[tinaballina]

thank you Alan

[asabat]

Snowshoes and crampons are different beasts for different conditions. If it's fresh snow, you probably want snowshoes. Crampons are for harder snow. IMO snowshoes don't work well on hard snow and ice, as they spread your weight over a greater area, reducing your imprint on the surface. (This is what you do want in soft powder.) So, snowshoes can tend to slide on ice, especially on traverses. Now, some snowshoes have more aggressive crampons, but snowshoes are heavy on the feet so why wear them if you don't need them.

Crampons are difficult to rent (impossible?) for the reasons cited - mostly regarding training and liability. If you use crampons you should also have an ice axe and know how to use it. As to cost, crampons only run a hundred bucks or so, so not hard to justify buying versus renting. Make sure the ones you buy fit your boots.

(Maybe you already know this, but others may not.)

[halhiker]

With fresh snow conditions you'll definitely want snowshoes. AND snowshoes these days have a crampon (cleat) affixed to the bottom. It's aluminum and not steel like real crampons but it does the job.

I generally only use my crampons when conditions get icy or if the terrain is fairly steep. You can make a lot better time with just boots in most conditions unless, of course, the snow is deep enough for snowshoes.

Renting a lot of mountaineering gear can be a challenge unless you're in Seattle or Portland looking to do Rainier, Hood or one of the other Cascade Peaks. There's just not enough call for it down here to justify a shop carrying it.

Snowshoes are also VERY easy to use. If you can walk, you can use snowshoes. Use ski poles with them. It'll make it easier to walk and also to do switchbacks.

[magikwalt]

And if you are going to use poles in soft snow see about getting the larger snow tips for them.

[tinaballina]

Snowshoes and crampons are different beasts for different conditions. If it's fresh snow, you probably want snowshoes. Crampons are for harder snow. IMO snowshoes don't work well on hard snow and ice, as they spread your weight over a greater area, reducing your imprint on the surface. (This is what you do want in soft powder.) So, snowshoes can tend to slide on ice, especially on traverses. Now, some snowshoes have more aggressive crampons, but snowshoes are heavy on the feet so why wear them if you don't need them.

Crampons are difficult to rent (impossible?) for the reasons cited - mostly regarding training and liability. If you use crampons you should also have an ice axe and know how to use it. As to cost, crampons only run a hundred bucks or so, so not hard to justify buying versus renting. Make sure the ones you buy fit your boots.

(Maybe you already know this, but others may not.)

Thank you so much on your insite.

[cynthia23]

Basic rule of thumb: snowshoes for flat and fluffy, crampons for steep and icy.

If you are sort of starting out at this, you should get or rent the snowshoes and start out on terrain that is relatively flat and not hard-packed. When you get more expertise then move on/up to steeper, icier terrain and buy crampons (my Black Diamonds have been very satisfactory.) If you are in conditions that demand crampons, you should buy an ice axe as well. Then you should get someone to instruct you in the techniques of self-arrest (can be learned in a few hours.) Start in places where you don't have significant exposure. (i.e. small gentle hills without rocks where a fall will not mean injury.) Start slow, be conservative and safe.

Have fun!