Do I need crampons? Planning your winter walk
When should you use crampons? Our guide explains the 'when', 'where' and 'how' of deploying your spiky winter gear.
Do I need crampons for a walk in winter conditions? There’s no definitive answer, but if you’re going for anything more adventurous than a winter walk on the beach, then the answer is: ‘Yes, probably.’
Crampons were initially quite rudimentary – crude frames with horseshoe nails hammered into them, used by shepherds and farmers on steep slopes in the winter snow. From these humble beginnings evolved firstly the 10-point crampon in 1909, followed by the 12-point in 1932, hammered into being by Laurent Grivel, the local blacksmith in Courmayeur, Italy. The additional two forward-facing points were added for use on steeper terrain, and when couple with the correct technique, can make light work of hazardous, slippery slopes.
It’s easy to underestimate how fast ground conditions can change during a day’s trek, especially if you’ve only just stepped into the world of winter walking. When planning the day ahead and wondering if you’ll need crampons, consider these points:
Do I need crampons?
1. Where are you headed?
You can injure yourself slipping on an icy pavement, but would not wear crampons when heading to the shops on a winter’s day. Conversely, it would be foolhardy to walk up a snow and ice covered Ben Nevis without packing your crampons.
Non-mountainous upland walking areas like the Peak District or Dartmoor are popular in winter, and it would be uncommon to need crampons to enjoy a day out. However, a slip on a steep icy slope or step can always end badly, wherever you are. Therefore, route choice is an important consideration in winter, even if walking somewhere you know very well, as steep hazardous areas can often be avoided with some planning.
Crampons and an axe should be taken when heading to walk in the mountains of Wales, the Lake District or Scotland if the forecast or condition reports suggest freezing temperatures and extensive areas covered in snow and ice. Walking up a mountain may be fine; descending in fading light with the temperature dropping is often much more challenging.
Even in these mountain areas it’s possible to go for a great winter walk without axe or crampons. You’ll just need to be careful with your route choice, and mindful not to go too high and into terrain for which you are ill-equipped.
2. Forecast freeze
If there’s the potential for snowy or icy conditions in the hills, or there’s more than a dusting of snow on the ground, you should pack crampons and other essential equipment, like an ice axe and group shelter. Quite often they’ll never come out of your bag, but you’ll have them if you need them.
3. Getting technical?
How difficult is your day going to get? Keeping a firm footing is essential if you’re heading out for more than a tramp to the nearest pub. Non-technical terrain may not require crampons, but anything remotely technical or difficult should have you automatically packing them in.
Dan Middleton, BMC technical officer, says: “It's easy to underestimate how ground conditions can change both with altitude and slope aspect, or because of collecting features such as gullies. It’s also important to remember that descent can be much trickier than ascent in snowy/icy conditions, particularly if fatigue starts to set in.”
WATCH: Winter skills | kit and what’s different in winter
When should I put crampons on?
It’s a tricky line to tread, as wearing and walking in crampons can exhaust you quickly, especially if you’re not used to them. But inevitably you don’t want to be trying to put on your crampons after the situation requires them, which could result in an accident. Ask yourself:
- Is the angle of the slope you’re trying to ascend/descend steepening for quite a distance?
- Has the terrain become frozen, is there likely to be compacted snow and/or ice?
- Will a slip or trip likely result in a slide back down the slope? Or is there a sheer drop nearby?
If any of these is a yes, it’s time to put those crampons on. You should only be putting your crampons on when it increases safety, but deciding the exact spot takes experience. With a semi-stiff pair of boots you should be able to kick a small horizontal step as you walk in compacted snow, but once it gets harder to do so then it’s time to stop and find a flat spot to put your crampons on.
Remember, the best way to learn how to use your crampons and when to use them is to learn from someone more experienced, attend a course run by a qualified instructor, or failing that watch our series of winter skills videos online.
Former BMC access officer for Wales/Cymru, Elfyn Jones, says: “Inevitably we all tend to put our crampons on too late and end up teetering on a steep icy snow slope trying to fit them onto our boots – well, I do anyway! So put them on before the angle steepens. Also don’t forget the other essentials in winter – especially a working headtorch due to short days and the likelihood of a walk/climb taking much longer than expected in winter and under snow conditions.”
What about an axe?
It is common to use your axe when not wearing crampons, and once crampons are on, you should have an axe in your hand too.
Get the gear
You can brush up on all your skills before hitting the snow with our series of Winter Skills videos. Start off with Winter skills 1.1: choosing winter boots and crampons, and make your way through them all via Winter skills 2.3 and 2.4: how to put on crampons and walking in crampons.
If you're buying new winter gear, don't forget that BMC members get 15% off at Cotswold Outdoor and Snow+Rock.
WATCH: Winter skills | choosing boots and crampons
Live winter conditions
Check conditions from your couch! We now have three monitoring stations with live readings of air and turf temperature at different depths. One station is located at the Cwm Idwal crag in Snowdonia, Wales, and two are in the Lake District at Great End crag and on Helvellyn!
CHECK NOW: live winter conditions in Eryri
CHECK NOW: live winter conditions in the Lake District
Related Content
Mynydda
With the theme of this year's International Mountain Day, Wed 11 Dec, being “Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth”, we share our 11 top tips for upping your winter game from the experts, speaking at three universities as part of the BMC Winter Lecture Series this year.
Mountaineering Destinations
Five of Chamonix's leading ski guides tell us their favourite beginner ski tours in and around Chamonix.
Hill Walking Events
BMC members are invited to join a Social Hike in the High Peak delivered by Members of the Rucksack Club on Saturday 30th November 2024
Mynydda Dysgwch Sgiliau
Scrambling in winter is a step up in every way: here are some tips from the pros for getting it right.
Mynydda Dysgwch Sgiliau
Here’s your heads-up to some of the most common winter walking mistakes and how to steer clear of them.
Mountaineering Destinations
Now is the prime time to plan your winter adventures. To help you explore the British mountains over winter, we have chosen six stunning winter ridges to guarantee a grand day out.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
A series of guides to some of the most popular scrambles in England, Scotland and Wales.
Mynediad Dysgwch
Robbie Blackhall-Miles, the Vascular Plants Officer for Wales at the wild plant and fungi conservation charity Plant Life, sat down with Tom Carrick, the BMC’s Welsh Access Officer, to discuss the significance of the BMC Winter Monitoring System.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Ger
With an ever increasing choice from manufacturers, the hardest part about buying a dynamic climbing rope can be deciphering what’s on offer, and understanding how it relates to your chosen activity. The days of simply choosing 9mm or 11mm are long gone, and from a light single to a heavy half, things can get very confusing.
Hillwalking Destinations
It's no easy feat, but with a little advice, organisation, knowledge and determination, climbing the Wainwrights is doable for almost anyone. This beginner-friendly guide aims to teach you about the fells and how to plan for and complete them.
Hill Walking Articles
Chris Townsend's top tips on getting the most out of a long-distance adventure, plus three week-long route ideas for beginners, offering a mix of nature, history, solitude and challenge.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Lowering off from a sport climb isn't always as easy as it is at the climbing wall. Knowing a few techniques can make the difference between an enjoyable day's climbing and a trip to A&E.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Are you a hill walker wanting to tackle steeper terrain, but nervous about heights? Don’t panic – there are steps you can take to fight the fear.
Mountaineering Destinations
We asked five experienced climbers for their top pick of Europe's alpine routes to get you inspired...
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
How to choose an ice axe for your next winter adventure
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Ger
Everything you need to know about the various types of rope for climbing and mountaineering can be found in our handy, free guide.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
In this guide, we share tips to help you navigate your way back to safety in the event of a whiteout.
Rock Destinations
Have you ticked this list? Five British IFMGA mountain guides pick their absolute favourite long rock routes in the Italian Dolomites, the Aravis range close to Chamonix, and from the ‘Grats’ near Andermatt to the Monts Rouges du Triolet; there’s something for everyone to go at from 5c to 7a. If in any doubt of your skills and experience, you know the score: hire a guide.
Article
Here's how winter climbing grades work.
Hill Walking Articles
The health and well being benefits of physical activity are numerous. Apart from the obvious physical benefits, there are many mental health and social perks to hillwalking and climbing too.
Mynydda Dysgwch Sgiliau
Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor Rob Johnson explains the essentials of choosing and using your first ice axe and crampons for winter mountaineering.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
The know-how, top tips and gear you'll need for scrambling safely.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
The mountains at night can be hazardous, but also wonderful. Here are a handful of helpful tips for exploring the dark side.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Ger
How often do you check your trad gear for damage or wear and tear? Here's the 'how' and 'why' of keeping your cams in check.
Rock Climbing Articles
Test your knowledge and see if you can name these 10 famous British female mountaineers and climbers, from pantaloon-clad pioneers of the alps, to contemporary crushers.
Mountaineering Destinations
This route of great tradition and history has foiled many a keen adventurer, so what does it take to unlock the aura of mystery surrounding Tower Ridge? Fortunately we have film maker and mountaineer Steve Ashworth on hand to explain it all for us.
Article
Here are a few of the most gruelling, exhausting, rewarding and brilliant challenge walks Britain has to offer.
Hillwalking Destinations
Sarah Stirling lists five of the easiest Munros for beginner hikers to bag!
Mountaineering Destinations
Here are some facts, figures and background information on the world's highest mountain.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Ger
Friction blisters on the feet are a common and potentially serious complication of hiking or hillwalking and other outdoor activities. This guide explains how to prevent and treat blisters accordingly.
Mountaineering Destinations
Are you brave enough for our top five hardest black ski runs in Europe? Ski on - if you dare.
Article
We've totted up a few fun facts and some trail trivia about this iconic route, including some surprising statistics that are guaranteed to earn you points at the next pub quiz. Read on for everything you need to know about this pioneering path...
Hill Walking Articles
Having a duvet day or a quiet night in? We've got you covered. There's nothing better than a day in the hills - but we think planning a day in the hills comes in pretty close second. If you're looking for inspiration for your next on-foot adventure, check out our lineup of ten of the best mountaineering, hiking and hillwalking films from the BMC TV YouTube channel.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Ger
If you’ve never climbed before or have only climbed indoors, the equipment used for tackling real rock can seem mysterious, exciting and expensive. We've put together a list of the essentials...
Cerdded Bryniau
Forget ghost stories and horror movies - a simple walk in the story-stuffed British wilds is the best way to get your skin crawling.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Ger
Climbers use quickdraws to attach their rope to pieces of protection when lead climbing. A quickdraw consists of two karabiners connected by a textile sling. Find out about the different types and some of the key issues in this article.
Dringo Dan Do Dysgwch Ger
We take a look at the culture of tight climbing shoes. Just how tight is too tight - and are we creating problems for the future?
Mynydda Dysgwch Gêr
Do you carry a first aid kit in the mountains? We take a look at the essentials for any mountaineering first aid kit and how to use them.
Mountaineering Destinations
Mountains have always meant more to humanity than just lumps of rock. We take a look at five summits with mysterious, magical or mythological significance.
Cerdded Bryniau Newyddion
Many people will have visited the summit of Great Gable in the Lake District and looked at the bronze plaque close to the summit commemorating FRCC members killed in World War One. This plaque was unveiled 100 years ago this year, on 8 June 1924, so this year, the FRCC held a commemorative meet with members staying at their huts in Wasdale, Borrowdale and Buttermere. This was attended by the BMC’s Hill Walking Rep Steve Charles and Lakes Area Rep Ron Kenyon, who sent this fascinating report of the day’s events and the history of the plaque.
Cerdded Bryniau
It helps you cope at work, 'heals' your brain, makes you more creative and it could even be better for you than running. Here are six ways walking could be more powerful than you realise.
Hill Walking Articles
Diversity conversations in the outdoors can’t leave anyone out. At ESEA Outdoors UK we’re celebrating the fact that East and Southeast Asian people go outdoors too, in spite of historical erasure and lack of representation in outdoors media. Here’s what you need to know:
Mountaineering Destinations
If you’re looking for an unforgettable, high altitude trekking holiday this year we’ve got some great ideas for you here in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and India from climbing mountaineering expedition operator Jagged Globe.
Hillwalking Destinations
Watch five great walks in the Lake District, including family inspiration, lesser-known routes to popular summits and dog-friendly fell walking.
Hill Walking Articles
Planning outdoor adventures comes with lots of preparation and adding a period into the mix can be one more thing to think about. While not everyone will be up for a hike or a climb on their period, if you are preparing for your next trip in the good company of menstrual blood, here’s what to do.
Hill Walking Articles
When out for the day it is likely you will need to go to the toilet at some point. Whether it be for ones and twos or refreshing period products, we’ve got you covered with all you need to know to be prepared. Things can get tricky out there so we will run through the ideal options through to the less ideal, but sometimes necessary, options when it comes to toileting. Wherever you can try to focus on what will have the least impact and do as much as possible to leave no trace.
Hill Walking Articles
Menopause is a significant and transformative phase of life. It is a natural biological process during which ovulation stops and periods end. The experience of menopause can be different for each individual and often comes with a wave of physical and emotional changes. In this guide, we will explore the different phases of menopause, common symptoms, and the power of regular movement and exercise to manage symptoms and support good health.
Hill Walking Articles
Christine Cornock shares how she managed her period along the South West Coastal Path multi-day hike.