Bringing Crampons along for the Splitboard Journey

On one hand, we have Daniel Crist, a dedicated SLC-based splitboarder (and hardbooter) who is nearing the completion of his AMGA Ski Guide certification as a splitboarder. On the other hand, we have Matt Colton, a somewhat itinerant splitboarder based out of Bend, sometimes, and most times, chasing snow across longitudes and latitudes. Both Daniel and Matt are happy splitboarders. Dan’s a happy hardbooter. Matt’s a happy softbooter. Both use crampons. 

I had an experience in early March where a group of us moved through semi-exposed terrain. The lone splitboarder on the tour, by far the fittest and most skilled at their descending craft, was a softbooter. I think it’s fair to say he wasn’t exactly psyched with our position. 
I’m of the school that even in mid-winter if I’m entering the alpine and its unknown terrain, I often throw a pair of lightweight all-aluminum crampons in my pack. What I may gain in mental security and more efficient mountain travel should I need these sharps is worth the extra weight. As a non-snowboarder, I’ve often marveled at how efficient softbooters are when booting a couloir (with or without snowplates), or scrambling. That said, there comes a time when crampons make sense. Had the softbooter I was with in March donned crampons and felt comfortable using them, I’m certain he would have danced through the moves. Ultimately, he would have been less stressed. 

Let’s start with Matt, who, no surprise, wasn’t in Bend when I reached him; he had just emerged from a five-day jaunt in the Eastern Sierra. For those interested, his go-to boot is the K2 Aspect, which features a BOA closure inner and a lace-up outer. The boots have a rear welt to accommodate a crampon’s heel lever but lack a suitable toe welt for a toe bail. In this case, Matt uses a hybrid crampon: these secure with a proper toe strap and a heel lever.