[Gregory Kimura]

Great info! Thanks Jeff, et al. I’ve ordered some Hillsound trail pro crampons and will probably pick up microspikes as well for the final 3 peaks (San B, San J, & San G). Will get snow baskets for my poles, too. Looks like thenpeaks will all be getting some new snow in the next week. Will have to take some of my warmer/gtx Alaska gesr along.
Speaking of winter equipment, I’ve noticed that I seem to bring more stuff (clothing, food, water, emergency supplies, heavier boots, etc.) than others Imsee on trails around SoCal. Even talking with folks at REI, there seems to be a culture of minimalist/fast hiking here. Maybe after completing the six pack and get more comfortable with less. Or maybe I’m just wired to be a packrat, which I tell myself is wise but which I also second guess halfway through a hike/climb when fatigued.
In any case, I’m interested in how experienced hikers here pack for day hikes and if minimalism is the norm….

[Gregory Kimura]

Thank you for this response, Haemama. I appreciate the concern about safety. The article doesn’t speak to microspikes or crampons, although it does mention skis and snowshoes. Two weeks ago there were some snowshoe tracks from earlier at the top of Cucamonga Peak, but there wasn’t enough snow/ice to justify. I wonder about San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and San G, though.
I’m not familiar with microspikes for hiking and have questions about their effectiveness in snow. I’d appreciate anyone’s thoughts. I used to have petzl crampons with snow shields, but I also wonder if that is overkill. Safest would be to bring crampons, ice axes, & snowshoes (although the latter makes for a heavier pack for a day trip).

[Gregory Kimura]

I’ve been on Wilson, Cucamonga, and Baldy in the past 3 weeks. Hardly any snow (a little icy in a few spots on Cucamonga, but not worth crampons). I have the same question, though, about microspikes (which I’ve heard tend to rip the rubber), crampons, and snowshoes on the other 3 peaks, as I assume they have more snow. I don’t have a ton of CA climbing/hiking experience and would also appreciate some advice from folks who do. Thx!