Crampons? Claws? Which?

After yesterday’s post, this query came in the morning mail:

What footgear does Bugs favor on his climbs?  We see crampons going for everything from $35.97 on up to $219.00.  Standing on the summit of accomplishment as Bugs does, cost is probably no object?  Plus with product-endorsements, he can pretty much take his pick?  But for us at base-camp, the prices look a little steep.  Can you help? – “Obsessed,” Michigan

I put this interesting question to Bugs after he completed the morning run.  Here is his answer.

“Obsessed,” I like the way you think.  When you’re heading for the high places, it never pays to neglect what’s underfoot.  It’s a yin-yang type thing.

Proper footgear can aid in balancing support and agility with the right degree of mental and emotional freedom.  If you decide to go the gear route, you’re looking for something light-weight, with more aggressive points than you tend to find on the older models.  There are some fine rust-free stainless alloys out there on the market these days.

But when it comes right down to it, I just have to say I feel at my very best only when barefoot.  I think the technology – well I don’t know how to say this in a way that will keep the endorsement fees coming in, but I feel I must, I owe it to my public – frankly, the tech thing is over-sold.  Two words:  Au naturel.  You just can’t improve on Mother Nature.

It all comes down to conditioning and preparation.

Here’s what my pads look like.

Aim for this.  Work up to it.

 

 

 

 

Next, you cannot afford to neglect your back feet.  You’re going to need them to respond in tight situations.

 

 

Remember, you’ll be balancing on ledges the width of a dime.

 

 

Spot-condition with strength and flexibility exercises, to get your back-dactyls in tip-top shape.

Last but not least, spikes.

 

 

 

 

Human once tried these things on me, when I was too small to stop her.

She then spent around $35.00 on this thing.  Got as far as putting in the batteries.  To date, however, has lacked nerve to come anywhere near me with it.

Truthfully, these mechanical devices are nonsense.  Here’s what to do instead.

Variety and focus is everything.  I designed this orienteering course where we have spike-conditioners in every room of this house.  I run the course liberally, hitting each control-point pretty much every time I pass by on my rounds.

Control Point One:  This one’s the warm-up.  I gave Human the idea when she got tired of standing shivering naked in the bathroom, waiting to turn on the shower, as I put this thing to its proper use.

Control Point Two:  This ups the resistance to the next level.

 

Control Point Three:  Got to jump up to get to this one.

 

Control Point Four:  Now we’re moving up the slopes.

 

Control Point Five:  The foothills.  See the scrap up top there?  Feather decoration.  Took care of that in :30 flat.  A tasty fillip, but if we’re talking essentials, essentially unnecessary.

Control Point Six:

BE SURE YOU’RE THOROUGHLY WARMED UP BEFORE YOU HIT THIS ONE.

 

I’m up to 125 reps.

Overall Training Goal:

You see now, I hope, how vital it is to keep those – I believe some folks call them dogs? how on earth was that permitted to happen? – they’re feet, got that? feet – in tip-top condition.

 

When you summit, send us a postcard.