Hiking gear

[BillF]

I only hiked Tuckermans in May when the way up is all stones. This year I plan to get up with some buddys in April sense the snow is so awesome. Short of crampons are there any lightweight attachments that can be attached to ones hiking boots to give more grip on the morning frozen snow on the way up? If so where would I get them. Thanks, Bill

[RR]

I only hiked Tuckermans in May when the way up is all stones. This year I plan to get up with some buddys in April sense the snow is so awesome. Short of crampons are there any lightweight attachments that can be attached to ones hiking boots to give more grip on the morning frozen snow on the way up? If so where would I get them. Thanks, BillNope, all of those slip-on items are for letter carriers or shoppers.

Your chances for taking down a dozen people on the boot ladder get much worse with any of the rubberized traction aides on the market. No argument will see me behind you on the boot ladder with any of them on your feet....period.

Don't despair...those things are light and well adapted to the lower Tuckerman Ravine Trail, they can be useful there, saving energy by limiting slips and saving hundreds of pounds (added up by the step, that is) compared to crampons.

Above Hermit Lake the Trail gets steep in several places, crampons would be more help and worth the weight penalty there. However, The sun gets on that part of the trail so it gets soft fairly early, say by 9-9:30AM, so you might not need them if you kept civilized hours.

However, crampons are key to the early birds; as you mentioned, the snow will be firm on the way up.

[JayTux]

Nope, all of those slip-on items are for letter carriers or shoppers.




Gotta concur with that, the only thing that comes to mind are Yaktrax and Stabilicers, NEITHER of which can measure up to crampons. They are more for low angle terrain, and even though Yaktrax come with a Pro version they won't be all that useful on the steeper slopes. Crampons are certainly worth the weight penalty for the trail after Hermit Lake. While Stabilicers and Yaktrax may work for frozen snow between Pinkham and Hojos, you will need crampons after that, so I would just go with them...

[BillF]

I was actually referring to the hike between the parking lot and HoJos. With the boot pack it gets pretty hard and slippery, and was wondering if there is something that can be attached to the boot to make that portion easier. The ravine is no problem with my ski boots on. Thanks

[efeldborg]

Sounds like you are packing in your ski boots and wearing hiking boots from Pinkham to HoJo's. Is that right? If so Stabilicers or Yaktrax will help. But for $70-80, a pair of light hiking crampons makes the trip much more enjoyable. That feeling like walking on the beach where every step sort of mushes out from under foot is taken out of the equation. I also noticed my more energy left in the tank for skiing after I started using crampons for the ascent.

Check out IME and Ragged Mountain basements ( in North Conway)for used gear. I've often seen crampons there.

[PWDR8S]

If there is snow on the Tux Trail.... skin your way up.

[RR]

I was actually referring to the hike between the parking lot and HoJos. With the boot pack it gets pretty hard and slippery, and was wondering if there is something that can be attached to the boot to make that portion easier. The ravine is no problem with my ski boots on. Thanks
....Don't despair...those things* are light and well adapted to the lower Tuckerman Ravine Trail, they gan be useful there, saving lost energy to slips and saving hundreds of pounds (added up by the step, that is) compared to crampons...
* Those things = YakTrax and Stabilicers.

Note there are "instep crampons" too. They are great for the TRT but are not very effective on steeps such as the Gullies or the Headwall.

[cbcbd]

If you're thinking of buying some in-between traction and are thinking of getting the yaktrax or stabilicers... don't. Get the Kahtoola Microspikes instead.

But usually you don't really need any traction for the Tux trail before the headwall... it's nice, but not needed. I think crampons are overkill for that trail IMO

[RR]

If you're thinking of buying some in-between traction and are thinking of getting the yaktrax or stabilicers... don't. Get the Kahtoola Microspikes.

But usually you don't really need any traction for the Tux trail before the headwall... it's nice, but not needed. I think crampons are overkill for that trail IMOAwesome...I agree, those look very solid....certainly beating the stretchy YakTrax and Stabilicers. About the same weight as the latter but much more energy conserving (as efeldborg was mentioning).

[boardman]

If you're thinking of buying some in-between traction and are thinking of getting the yaktrax or stabilicers... don't. Get the Kahtoola Microspikes instead.

But usually you don't really need any traction for the Tux trail before the headwall... it's nice, but not needed. I think crampons are overkill for that trail IMO

Ditto, a good pair of lugged-sole boots will get you up the Tux trail to Hojo's in all but total ice conditions (in which case, you don't want to go up there anyway).

[PWDR8S]

If you go on a sunny day... don't forget your suntan/sunblock lotion and shades! http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/tanning.gif
It's like a giant reflector oven and it gets very very bright there on a :sunshine: day. http://www.techsourceconsultants.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10020/glasses.gif