Crampons?

[Fried Rice]

This will be my first trip in several years. When I skied Tucks as a kid it was always late in the year and the routes in the Ravine and up the trail were bootpacked. Are crampons necessary at this time of year? I got a "yes" when I called the visitor center but I have my doubts after seeing the posts here.... Thanks for the insight...

[Skilasnow]

Yesterday, Sunday the 23rd, if I hadn't skinned up I would have worn crampons if I had them, but would not have been too badly off without them until the headwall. I actually hiked from hojo's to luchrocks in my alpine ski boots and didn't mind too much.

[M@]

Places I wish I had cramp-ons:

The afore-mentioned section of the trail between HOjo's and Lunch rocks is pretty steep and gets icy becuase of all the traffic.

The hike back down: Lots of people slide down the trail on their snowboards and pack it so it freezes. It's only on the really steep sections, and usually you can walk around it.

So you talking about 30 yards of trail or so in a weekend trip. I've never had crampons. So take that for what it's worth.

Hiking up the bowl: It's usually so busy that there are stairs pre-made by all the people before you.

LLBean was selling these cramp-on type things, more like little golf spikes, that go over your boots. I might get a pair of these someday, but until then, I rely on simple hiking boots to get me there and back.

M@

[SkiStooge]

I agree. Someday I will break down and buy cramps but 'till then, hiking boots, ski poles, Ace Bandages and Johnsons First Aid Cream are all that I usually ever need on most any hike. Mud season is upon us! Every day I pull into my yard (might actually pave more than one parking space someday---How come that space became my WIFE'S space??? I pay the mortgage! Oh, well) and think that I should attach a piece of kermantle between my house and my car so that it doesn't sink out of sight. AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Spring in New Hampshire! Have fun. See ya out there.

[boarder25]

If you already own your own pair of crampons you might as well bring them.There's an old saying "It's better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them".If you don't own your own pair it's probably a little late in the season to spend the money on them.Just thought I'd send my 2 cents your way.

[<spinnman>]

Anyone know of a good place to rent crampons? I'm headed up on Monday for the first time and just want to be prepared, figured they would be good to have.

Also I read a bunch of snowboarder posts on the best way to ride tucks. Sounds like making sure you strap your board to your pack is a must do but I'm still not really clear about what the preferred footwear for a soft-boot-boarder is. Grivel G-10W? Can you rent em? Just hiking boots? Just snowboard boots? Or should I just save myself the walk and take the T-bar?

Thanks for your help!

[notjustanotherboarder]

Hey spinnman,

Don't sweat it. Don't carry extra pairs of shoes to switch from hiking and riding. Extra weight on your back sucks. This time of year your soft boots are fine. I have a friend that carries his board in his hands when he hikes up. And if you don't have crampons, you'll still get there; Two steps forward, one step back :)

One last thing, don't forget to look down as you hike up (to see what you're getting to).

[<Spinnman>]

Huh, it's funny,
snowboarding - look down.
climbing - don't look down. Go figure...

Thanks NJAB!