Crampons 101: How + When to Use Traction Devices

IG: @radishuprooted
Snow and the mountains can be a dangerous combination. Let's take a look at different traction devices such as Yaktrax, Microspikes, and Crampons and learn how to use them and when to use them.
0:00 Intro
0:46 The Types of Traction Devices
2:38 How to Choose Crampons
3:40 The Anatomy of Crampons
9:59 When to Use Crampons
11:51 How to Use Crampons
15:56 Next Steps

[@eliomontes6898]

Again! Helpful, only video in KZbin that helped learn how to put on crampons! Thanks man!

[@RadishUprooted]

I’m happy you found it helpful, thanks!

[@shades1959]

Great job Jon. Really appreciate all you do to keep the community aware of the trail conditions.

[@TheJohnnyBE]

Excellent video. Love how you break it down. Thorough and concise.

[@ivanivanov7617]

This is the information I was searching for! Simple and informative! Thank you!

[@RadishUprooted]

Happy to help! Practice, be safe, and have fun

[@jphillips4509]

Thank you. Always well done.

[@tootsla1252]

Good stuff, Radish!

[@isaacfs8995]

Super great video! Thanks!

[@RadishUprooted]

Happy to share! Have fun out there🤠

[@TheHikingChick1]

Your how-to videos are great!

[@RadishUprooted]

Thank you! They’re a blast to create, and I hope folks find value from them!

[@paulroyle-grimes8279]

Loving the content!

[@Zane5804]

Thoughts on Kahtoola hiking KTS Crampons and Kahtoola hiking KTS Crampons?

[@RadishUprooted]

They’re all great models for very specific uses, so it really depends on what you plan on using them for! The microspikes are good for low angle ice or snow (think trail running, shoulder season backpacking). The K10s are good for light mountaineering (low angle glacier travel, shoulder season backpacking with steeper snow). And the KTS are even more secure with better traction, although at that point, I’d personally just switch to crampons. The main benefits for these products to me is the weight savings and the flexible bar system which allows me to use trail runners instead of mountaineering or ski boots.

[@Zane5804]

@@RadishUprooted good enough for the standard routes on mount shasta and mount hood?

[@RadishUprooted]

Personally I would never use them on a route like the Pearly Gates on Hood. I could only recommend full crampons for any route on Hood. For Shasta, it depends on what time of year and the snow conditions. Early season I would bring crampons. Late season you could probably get away with K10s. But everyone has a different level of experience and risk tolerance.

[@timothydietz]

Would you recommend microspikes or crampons for Mt Adams in July/August?

[@RadishUprooted]

It truly depends on your experience and risk tolerance, but I would personally choose trail runners and microspikes for that time of year!

[@timothydietz]

@@RadishUprooted Appreciate your perspective, thank you!!