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Author Topic: Crampons and Ice Axes - Necessity or luxury???  (Read 7219 times)

summit86

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Crampons and Ice Axes - Necessity or luxury???
« on: March 23, 2013 »
Do any of you guys use crampons and ice axes? Are they a safety necessity or a luxury???   
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"Men Wanted: For hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.” - Ernest Shackleton

GMB

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Re: Crampons and Ice Axes - Necessity or luxury???
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2013 »
Definitely a necessity for safety and covering terrain when the conditions or environment calls for thier use. I've never used them in the Mournes if that's what you mean? I remember reading a few days ago that a forum member bumped into people using crampons up Donard.
« Last Edit: March 23, 2013 by GMB »
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summit86

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Re: Crampons and Ice Axes - Necessity or luxury???
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2013 »
The main idea is to get up either Donard or Binnian on 2nd April for a summit camp. Fingers crossed there is plenty of snow still up there by then. Wound rather have and not need than have to turn back.
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"Men Wanted: For hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.” - Ernest Shackleton

twentyclicks

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Re: Crampons and Ice Axes - Necessity or luxury???
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2013 »
Crampons are only really needed for hard ice. Certainly the glen river trail and the steps up to Donard saddle can have sheet ice on them when it's cold, but I just went straight up the side of the mountain in the snow.... I could see the heather poking through, so it wasn't a high avalanche risk.

An ice axe can be more useful as you can steady yourself, arrest a fall/slide (important!), and also cut steps with the adze if you do meet icier ground.

Crampons also take a bit of practice to use effectively. It's easy to tear your trousers or stab your leg.

There's usually a clear enough route in the Mournes, or the snow is such that you can kick steps with your boots. I certainly imagine there will be a good thaw during the week, leaving a few white summits and wall drifts. If you do feel like a bit of extra protection, a simple walking axe is the cheapest and easiest solution. eg DMM circque.
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Craig
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LandyLiam

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Re: Crampons and Ice Axes - Necessity or luxury???
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2013 »
I've met a few people using crampons in the mournes but they've only been testing them out. I've used the ice axe a few times, mainly as a walking pole to steady myself coming down, or simply to tie the dog up so she doesn't eat my sandwiches  ;D





needed the ice axe for this gully at the glen river, used it as a walking pole rather than an axe,  snow was soft so crampons not needed



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KyleL

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Re: Crampons and Ice Axes - Necessity or luxury???
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2013 »
Love the dog lead idea. Did he take the last photo? :P

Looks like you'd need tennis racquet shoes in that snow.
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summit86

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Re: Crampons and Ice Axes - Necessity or luxury???
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2013 »
Great advice and as always very much appreciated! I think I will go for the DMM Cirque! At least I will have it if I need it! Love the photos Liam! Great idea for keeping the dog away from lunch!  ;D

Phil
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"Men Wanted: For hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.” - Ernest Shackleton
 

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