Are my boots crampon compatible for ice climbing?
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I have a pair of Asolo 520's and am wondering if they would be fine for beginner ice climbing with strap-on crampons. If I end up getting more into ice then I'm sure I'll get some more appropriate boots but I still need to learn if I like ice climbing. |
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Nope. You will need a rigid boot for ice climbing. There will be a little shelf at the toe and a little shelf at the heel to accept a step-in crampon. |
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First time I went ice climbing I wore a pair of boots like that with rigid framed crampons (2F's) and while it worked sorta halfway ok, I was much happier once I got a pair of mountaineering boots. |
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I say yes. Don't spend anything until you know if you like the sport. Strap on crampons work even on soft Sorel boots or insulated winter construction boots for a starter. Not saying it will be the best performing, or comfy, but it will work well enough to get the idea. Best if you can borrow real mountain boots and step in cramps from someone for the real experience, but go for the strap on to start. |
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I have and still use the Salewa DBP's (considered vintage). They use straps and do not require the type of front and rear ledges mentioned above. Great for general mountaineering and can be used in a pinch for limited front pointing. They are a bit of a pain to use and require attention to detail when strapping in. |
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Your boots are light weight hiking boots. Adding strap on crampons will be fine for snow/glacier hiking but not for water fall ice. You will get way too much bending. One does not need absolute rigid boots but close. |
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Neptune's down in Boulder rents them for sure. But I am not sure who does in FoCo. Renting would definitely be the way to go unless you are sure you want to commit to it. Trolling CL can also produce some quite affordable boots as well. My GF snagged some Scarpa Inverno's for $50 last weekend that were in quite good shape. |
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Those will vauguely work. Easy ice routes that have been toproped a bunch aren't going to require much technical front pointing. You'll get more pumped with less reliable footwear. But you should be on toprope anyway. (In his ice climbing instructional book, Will Gadd reccomends at least fifty solid top rope burns before you ever start thinking about leading ice, can't say I waited that long, but it's good advice.) |
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Do you have any ski boots? |
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rent some good boots, they'll make the whole deal much more enjoyable. |