A couple of winters ago, I had to turn around at 10,800 feet on San G because I didn't have sufficient traction to make the last few hundred vertical feet. It felt a bit like chickening out, but I think it was the right decision.
I saw today that some people are doing Baldy this weekend. They'll probably need ice axes and crampons to do it safely. I don't qualify.
Ooooh. That kills me. I hate to find some adventure that I can't do. Also, I find that I meet the most fun people out in the wilderness, so I get excited when I see some group is going, then realize that I'm not going to be part of that group. Ugh.
So, question 1. Does Skyline look like some aluminum crampons would safely get me through, or would that be a silly choice that would send me hiking back down. (I'm not prone to taking dumb chances - if I found adverse conditions that the crampons couldn't easily handle, I'd simply run back down.)
Question 2. This winter stuff looks like it might be worth learning, but I don't usually have much time. (That's why I do the trail running - I get to go play and don't have to miss time at work or with family.) Is it something that takes considerable time and practice to learn, or is a simple half-day class and some informal practice sufficient?
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