Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Microspikes, Now What?



Calling all Southern California readers I need your help. After many years of pining for em, Santa has delivered these sweet microspikes. Of course my first thought was, use em on Baldy but that seems like mucho effort and a mountain better to be done in the summertime.

Of course, it always seemed counter-intuitive to me that there was snow in SoCal but one of my first hikes here was in the great Devil's Punchbowl which had snow in the parking lot and seeing all the snow in higher elevations around town made me think that snow and me here was a distinct possibility.

So now that I have these bad boys (and yes they are so bad mamajammas, at least compared to YakTraks) I want to stretch my legs and put them through their paces. Let me know in the comments where I could use these suckas! Thanks!

7 comments:

  1. Microspikes are the best! You could always head over to New Hampshire, where Kahtoolas pretty much a requirement for all hikes this time of year (if not crampons or snowshoes). Hope you find a place to try them out!

    Karl

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  2. I am going to be totally useless on where to use your spikes in LA area, but I echo Karl. Microspikes are the best, and here in Anchorage they are also required winter gear. Having lived in LA as a kid, I remember lots of snow in the mountains. I predict plenty of use for the new Kahtoolas!

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  3. @Karl and @John, thanks so much for your suggestions! I know using these puppies in LA will be tough but yea if I head to NH or AK, I will definitely use them there. Thanks for reading and the suggestions!

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  4. Last year we had to turn around at Mount Baden Powell because of snow even at the end of May! We decided then (and after turning around on a short spur along the Appalachian Trail the previous fall for the same reason)that we needed to pick some of those up ourselves, but haven't done it yet. Let us know how they work! Here's our aborted effort at Baden-Powell: http://www.greeneadventures.com/2011/05/26/late-spring-snow-prevents-summiting-mount-baden-powell/

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  5. My husband and I just attempted Mt. Islip this weekend and had to turn around at Little Jimmy campground because there was too much snow/ice on the trail (and we probably should have turned around earlier). We were really wishing we had our spikes, but we hadn't thought to bring them... I figured all the snow would be melted by now! Anyways, with spikes it would have been a great hike although it was quite windy and cold. I bet most hikes in the High San Gabriels would be good for trying out your spikes.

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  6. Many of the Grand Canyon trails in winter are ice/snow covered and require traction devices. This year, I will require Microspikes for anyone who takes one of my winter hikes.

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  7. Thanks everyone for your further thoughts!

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