Climbmts Tiso Stuart Johnston

Tiso Knowledge Exchange

Be a quick fitter

Crampons can be awkward to fit on the hill. Get them on when the ground is level
enough to keep you stable or you may have to create a flat ledge on a slope.

Before you go:-
• Practise fitting your crampons at home – aim for under a minute.
• Crampons should be adjusted to grip firmly on your boots even without the
bindings and straps done up.
• Use them on gravel paths to check they fit before getting onto the mountain.

On the hill:-
• Have your crampons handy at the top / inside of your rucsac.
• Knowing when to put them on is a predictive skill; if in doubt err on the side of caution and put them on anyway.
• To fit your crampons choose a safe spot and if necessary cut a ledge using your ice axe.
• As conditions change, be prepared to take them off. You can climb rock with crampons, so you don’t need to take them off for every rocky section.
• Anti-balling plates limit snow clogging under your crampons. If it gets bad take
the crampons off, as the snow is probably soft enough to not require crampons.

6 essentials in your winter hill repair kit

• Zip lock ties. Super strong and will fix most things.
• Gaffer tape. Patches everything from wounds to tents.
• Seam-grip. Seals holes in boots, hydration bladders and ground sheets.
• Nylon cord. Buy it by the metre from Tiso for emergency repairs such as broken rucsac buckles.
• Spare crampon strap and laces.
• Mini lightweight multi-tool. For on-the-hill repairs.

What’s the best training to get hill fit?

Staying hill fit for the weekend should be enjoyable, worthwhile and easy to fit
into your busy work schedule. The more effort you put in, the more you’ll get out of it. Swimming, cycling and running are excellent cross training exercises to do during the week. Did you know – exercise increases metabolic rate between six and 36 hours afterwards, so you can eat a slap-up meal in the pub after a walk without it going straight to your hips...

What boots should I buy for scrambling?

Most boots will be fine for scrambling, but a close fitting boot with a narrow profile at the toe and a stiff sole unit is ideal. However, do avoid boots that are very bendy as they will tend to roll off smaller footholds. Fabric uppers usually wear out quicker than leather, but to attain a light boot soft reinforced uppers are the way forward.

Why do my hands swell when I’m walking?

Exercise increases production of ADH which increases water reabsorption in the kidneys which in turn puts more pressure on the veins. During exercise, blood vessels in the hands and feet become dilated. Rucsac straps squash the veins which usually take the blood away from the hands. So pressure in blood vessels in hands increases. More blood flows into the hands simply because of gravity.

Winter Mountain Skills Training Courses include: