Rock Spikes are Kahtoola Microspikes, Hillsound Path Crampon Ultras, and another light-weight (chain-based) winter traction aids with boring spikes which have been worn down from heavy use. Reasonably than throw them away, hikers and peakbaggers use them throughout the early winter and in late spring when the paths are icy however there’s a variety of naked rock and gravel nonetheless displaying. Whilst you may use a pair of recent spikes in these circumstances, they’ll get worn down rapidly by the uncovered rocks, so that you may as properly use a pair that’s already overwhelmed up, particularly your rock spikes.
The spikes on a pair of Kahtoola Microspikes or Hillsound Path Crampons will get fairly boring after a season or two of frequent use. You’ll be able to attempt to sharpen them with a file, however the metallic fairly is low high quality, they usually received’t keep sharp for lengthy. When boring, they will nonetheless present traction though you received’t get the identical diploma of penetration into ice that you’d in the event that they have been new. I liken them to the tire chains used on automobile and truck tires, offering traction even when the tires’ tread or studs are worn down.
If need to try to sharpen the spikes, use a Mill Bastard File. Stroke the file alongside the lengthy facet of every crampon level, from the bottom to the tip, and solely in that one course. That is simpler to do when the spikes are hooked up to a boot. Watch out to not sharpen the crampon tooth to a pointy level: they need to stay barely rounded on the tip like a ballpoint pen for max energy. As soon as sharpened they’ll get blunt once more extra rapidly although, since there’s now much less metallic in every tooth.
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