Ice Climbing Crampons
A crampon is a device used for ice climbing or mountaineering over ice or steep snow fields. They are made to fit special ice climbing boots or welted mountaineering boots for attaching. Crampons can be made of a steel or aluminum frame with 12 to 14 points designed to stick into the ice or packed snow. The points are angled in such a way to give the best grip on the ice. For ice climbing, the front row of points angle slightly downward. The next row are angled slightly forward, toward the toe. This provides the climber the best angles for front pointing. However, if the use of the crampons is for mountaineering, the points are straight down. This provides better traction for traversing packed snow and the type of terrain encountered in mountaineering. Crampons designed for mountaineering, snow and glacier are not good for ice climbing for this reason.
Types of Crampons
There are two basic types of crampons:
- Rigid crampons. A rigid crampon is best for ice climbing. The rigid frame is better for front pointing, an essential technique for ice climbing. Front pointing is an ice climbing technique used to stick the crampon and climb an ice face. The points of the crampon face forward in two rows at the toe of the boot.
- Hinged crampons. Hinged crampons bend in the same way a shoe bends while walking. This is the preferred type of crampon for mountaineering and traversing relatively level frozen and icy terrain.
Crampon Balling
This is a situation that occurs when snow is packed and freezes at the toe or around the points of the crampon. It is a problem because it prevents the crampon's points from sticking into the ice far enough to get a good grip. The ice climber must use the ice tool to knock off the loose snow has he climbs to prevent accumulation. Many crampons have shaped slabs made of flexible plastic called anti-balling plates. The plastic is a hydrophobic material that prevents snow and ice from sticking.
Crampons
Black Diamond Sabretooth Pro Crampon The Sapretooth crampon has 14 points. It is made for use in a range of applications from vertical water ice to mixed alpine climbs. This is a versatile crampon. It has a stainless steel design, is a lower weight, and high durability, and built-in protection against snow balling.
Black Diamond Sabretooth Clip Crampons The stainless steel design results in lighter weight, durability, protection from rust. The heel clip and flexible toe strap accommodate mountain boots with a heel welt. The 14 point design handles steep and moderate terrain easily. The rear heel clip has a low-profile adjustment for a precise fit.
Black Diamond Cyborg Clip Crampons This crampon is for steep ice and rock faces. It is a technical crampon with an adjustable hooded front points. The secondary points offer versatility on steep mixed terrain. The low-profile heel adjustment helps give you the perfect fit. It also has a dual-density anti-bot plate to keep snow from collecting.
Black Diamond Neve Pro Crampons with ABS These crampons are for ski approaches and snow and glacier travel. They clip into a wide variety of boots for travel acrosssteep, hard, spring snow. Excellent for use in mountaineering. They are 1 pound, 5.5 oz. The light weight crampons can be carried and put on when needed.
Black Diamond Raptor Crampon The BD Raptor crampon is made specifically for ice and mixed climbing. It has a removable heel spur that helps hook features during technical ice climbing. This crampon set is for serious mixed ice climbers. This is a rigid crampon made for vertical ice routes.
CAMP USA XLC 390 Crampon These crampons are just 13.8 ounces. The very light XLC 390 Crampon is telemark boot-compatible. It is for ski mountaineering with telemark or AT gear. These ultra light aluminum crampons work very well in hard packed snow. The XLC 390 Crampons give exceptional traction.
CAMP USA XLC 490 Universal Crampon These crampons are flexible type that will strap onto a wide variety of boot and shoe. They are compatible with everything from trail running shoes to mountaineering boots. They weigh only 17.3 ounces. They feature horizontal front points for shear resistance on steep snow.
CAMP USA Vector Automatic Crampon Designed for vertical ice and mixed climbing. They feature a steel construction and many adjustable features to fit a variety of different climbing boots. There are three toe adjustments, two heel adjustments, and a micro adjustment on the rear binding. The anti balling plates keep snow from collecting.
Grivel G10 Wide Crampon This is a snowboard crampon. It is lightweight and has a 10 point crampon design. It has a wider toe for an easier fit on snowboard boots. It also fits the older, wider leather boots. These snowboard crampons are fully adjustable by hand, without the need for special tools.
Grivel G12 Crampon These crampons are for alpine climbers and mountaineers. The design of these crampons is great for steep ice pitches. There are horizontal front points that reduce sheer in icy conditions. There are three attachment systems available for the G12 crampon so it fits a wide variety of boot types.
Grivel G14 Crampon This crampon set is for steep ice, alpine and mountain climbing. and burly alpine ascents. It has two vertical front points that provide excellent ice penetration. They are strong and can withstand kicking into ice. They can be configured with a monopoint for mixed and highly technical ice climbing.
- Black Diamond Crampon Bag
- Petzl Antisnow Plates
- CAMP USA Rigid Aluminum Linking Bar
- Black Diamond Cyborg ABS Plates
- CAMP USA Vector Balling Plate
- Kahtoola Snow Release Skins
- Grivel G14 AntiBotts
- Black Diamond ABS, Sabretooth/Serac
- Air Tech Light Antibott Plate
- Black Diamond Cyborg Frontpoint
- Vector Heel Spur - Pair
- Vector Spacer Kit - Pair