When microspikes become necessary, say during the switchbacks if required, how much would they need to be taken off and put back on, on the way to the summit? I would be worried about patches of bare rock bending up something like a pair of Kahtoola microspikes. But I wouldn't want to be taking them off and putting them back on half a dozen times on the way up and again on the way down, either.
I'm asking because I have a July 17th day hike this year and have never gone up with snow on the ground (mid-September 2 years ago and 3rd week of August last year). I do use trekking poles so that might mitigate some slipping, and the Merrell footwear has reasonable depth lugs on them.
