By Goodhue
From East Hartford, CT
Nov 4, 2009
| Hey Ice Climbing Folks,
So, this is going to be my second "real" ice climbing season. Last season I was using a pair of BD Sabretooths on my Nepal Evos (horizontal points) and was able to get up (lead) a couple WI4s. I want to push it a more this season, get on some mixed terrain and some 5s.
Are vertical front points (such as BD Cyborg) going to help me out only a little? Or are they going to make a BIG difference? Trying to decide if I should start thinking about dropping the cash on them.
Thanks! | 
FLAG |
By OZONE
From Divide, CO
Nov 4, 2009
| For me they help. Though I don't really know how much because I never really gave horizontal points a chance. I think you will see the most benefit on mixed terrain, especially if you set the cyborgs to mono point. I have friends who climb pretty hard ice with sabertooths, but they're also animals. |
FLAG |
By Gunkiemike
Nov 4, 2009
| If you switch to dual frontpoints, I doubt there will be any real benefit at all. It's probably not the crampons that are preventing you from leading harder now, is it? But having said that, I would strongly recommend that you switch to a better poon. If only so you can try monopoints. IMO these are significantly different from dual frontpoints, and that might give you a boost. Once you get used to them/trust them. |
FLAG |
By OZONE
From Divide, CO
Nov 4, 2009
| I just went back to some dual points (Sarkens) after climbing on monos (Darts) for about five years (pretty much since I started climbing ice). I've got to say the two points in the ice are working for me. This IS coming from a guy who doesn't use his feet well though. |
FLAG |
By Brian in SLC
From Salt Lake City, UT
Nov 4, 2009
| Goodhue wrote: So, this is going to be my second "real" ice climbing season. Last season I was using a pair of BD Sabretooths on my Nepal Evos (horizontal points) and was able to get up (lead) a couple WI4s. I want to push it a more this season, get on some mixed terrain and some 5s. Are vertical front points (such as BD Cyborg) going to help me out only a little? Or are they going to make a BIG difference?
Depends on the terrain. For climbing in places with cobbles, like Maple in Utah, I prefer the sabretooths for some of the thin stuff.
For pure ice you couldn't go wrong with a modern set of Cyborgs or M10's or whatever. They help a bit to be sure. I have a number of friends who swear by mono's and with one of these crampons, you could at least try that option (or stagger your front points long and short too).
BIG difference, though? Probably not. But, some, yeah. Maybe the push needed for the confidence to advance to the next level. Along with some mileage, headspace, good technique...
Cheers! |
FLAG |
By Tits McGee
From Boulder, CO
Nov 4, 2009
| For Pure Water Ice, Horizontal points work awesome (per will gadd) - I would recommend upgrading to a pair of horizontals that have a longer secondary point set - There you will see the biggest difference.
If you are looking for an all around alpine / mixed / water / ice crampon - vertical front points will give the greatest advantage on rock/mixed terrain. |
FLAG |
By Kirk Miller
From Golden, CO
Nov 4, 2009
| They work better. Imagine swinging a tool with a horizontal pick?!!# |
FLAG |
By Goodhue
From East Hartford, CT
Nov 6, 2009
| Sounds like what I thought: They definitely help, but I could easily keep progressing with my current crampons. I think I'll just keep an eye on them and pick up a pair if I score a good deal. |
FLAG |
By Forestvonsinkafinger
From Iowa
Nov 6, 2009
| OZONE wrote: For me they help. Though I don't really know how much because I never really gave horizontal points a chance. I think you will see the most benefit on mixed terrain, especially if you set the cyborgs to mono point. I have friends who climb pretty hard ice with sabertooths, but they're also animals.
+1 I find that monos get better purchase and give a better range of motion in your feet. I have used grivel monos. I also would agree that Will Gadd uses, maybe exclusively, BD sabretooth horizontal points and keeps his feet on.
Finally I would agree with above posts in saying that you may improve a little with a switch, but technique is far more important than the weapon. Ice climbing is extremely contextual. One technique may work well at a site one day, and be impossible the next. Get out there and experiment, refine, and rework. |
FLAG |
By Buff Johnson
From Coniferous, CO
Nov 6, 2009
| Dude, they love it when it put on a vertical mono; but the duals, ah that's just money. |
FLAG |
|
[ Forums > Ice Climbing ]
RSS Feed
