Do you guys wear "microspikes" of any kind or these in particular, or do you carry them on a regular basis just in case? I've seen a photo of them on old tennis shoes which just seems insane to me.
How steep of ice would you wear them on over leather boots?
How about glaciers or solid ice? I'm wondering where I can draw a line and leave the crampons at home, since I only have 12 point full on crampons and I always wear them on plastic or leather full on boots. I would imagine that they would be great for your self confidence on the final approach to the Smithsonian hut.
While I'm at it, what percentage of you carry an ice axe while peakbagging above 13,000'? Poles? Do you know how to self arrest with hiking poles? Would you like to? I threw away my Black Diamond self arrest hiking pole handles. If you've ever done an arrest on a bad fall you know why, you feel like your arm has been stretched about three feet and I'm sure it would rip the handle right off the pole, but there is another method used by extreme back country skiers.
I live near the Three Sisters in the Cascades and I'm considering a solo winter climb/hike up to the base of the glaciers at 8,000' which translates to about 15,000' in California. ha ha
Jim
