i'm going on a tahr hunt soon and a guy just sent me a link to these- http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.php
they also make a lightweight flexible crampon- http://www.kahtoola.com/crampons.php
they are said to be popular over there with goat and sheep hunters.
has anyone got some experience with them?
i think if i were to get them i would get the microspikes, simply because they are lighter and that is a big issue since we are backpacking in for 10 days.
Ozy I have some of the kahtoola aluminum crampons. I like them.
I used to wear Salewa mountaineering crampons on goat hunts, but these Kahtoolas are lighter and easier for less technical climbing, plus no front points to trip and stumble on.
They are very light weight and they slide together when you take them off, so that they are small in the pack. Once adjusted, a single snap buckle holds them on, making them quick to put on or off.They fit into a little draw sting bag, but I often just put them on the outside of my pack under a compression strap so they are handy.
They adjust a little bit to length, but you need to be close to the right size.
The aluminum eventually dulls some on rocks, but still digs in well so I have not resharpened them, and mine are about ten years old.
Not familiar with the microspikes, but they might be better if you have less snow to deal with. They look to be more suited to mixed routes with more rock and dirt, or hard ice, but less positive if you have steep open snow to cross. I use mine on some steep snow filled gullies that would be hard to keep from sliding down the chute without the 1 inch long flatsided crampon teeth. Depends on what you need to do.
Hope that helps.
Walt
They are a must for a BC winter goat hunts. Serious terrain and conditions require serious gear. If there's lots of ice and snow, get good cramp-ons.
I think the microspikes are intended for flat land travel on ice and snow, whereas the crampons are for steeper terrain. I agree with Walt, they should work on most slopes, non-technical climbing.
Ozy- I've got a pair of the microspikes and they work great on mud & mixed rock, steep or flat. Helpful on snow but pretty short spikes, you would be way better off with crampons in a lot of snow. Its easy to forget they're on after awhile, in a good way. They go on and off really quick. Where I've gone for sheep and mountain goats, I wouldn't pack them for sheep but definitely would for goats. Don't know a thing about tahr.
Boznarras said it well. I also have the microspikes but they are not for your intended application. I use the microspikes on workout hikes and runs on mod. steep ice and snow hardpacked covered trails where they are better than Yaktracks.Microspikes are also good for steep, wet grass hills.My daughter uses the Yaktracks for running ice covered streets with running shoes for comparison, so three levels of application. Microspikes work well in that application but will quickly be outdone for high mtns,really steep slopes and heavy packs.
Man I'd love to get a Tahr!!!
Good luck!
I almost always take mountaineering crampons when goat hunting, even if there is no snow or ice. They stick to vegetated slopes which would be very risky otherwise.