wanting to break into alpine. some questions.

hey. i've been climbing trad for 2.5 years, comfortably leading easy gunks 5.9s and backpacking all over the Dacks for about 6 years. I've never done a whole lot of winter camping but i ski and have my fair share of winter gear. that being said, i've got a couple questions.

i plan on doing quite a bit of winter hiking on some pretty steep stuff in the upcoming months. will crampons be necessary? i'm not talking about stiff boots and ice climbing 'pons but a regular strap on crampon over a hiking boot with gaitors.

i've been told by some guys at the local gym who do quite a bit of alpine climbing to tackle some slides up in the dacks but truthfully, i know nothing about slides. they seem like their just long, usually easier alpine style trad routes on slabbish, not steep faces. is there anything one should know before attempting such a route?

i would probably try my first during the warmer months and then eventually try to combine the steep winter hiking with the longer alpine rock routes and gradually push my way up to tougher and tougher stuff with the aid of people who have done this sort of stuff before?

Howdy T.L. I almost always carry crampons on winter mountaineering outings now. You never know when you'll find yourself on a long, moderately steep, slick slope (or an ice-packed trail). If there is a possibility of finding myself on a moderately-angled snow slope, I also bring a mountaineering axe. Make sure you are acquainted with using an ice axe and crampons before you find yourself in a situation where you need to rely on them. Read the relevant sections of Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills.

Regarding Adirondack slide climbs, I would definitely do some in dry summer conditions before trying one in winter.

Sam Page wrote: Regarding Adirondack slide climbs, I would definitely do some in dry summer conditions before trying one in winter.