Alum Cave Trail, Ice Axe?

“I'm going to ascend the trail in Mid December. Do I need an ice axe, or can I 'safely' get by with out it and its pack weight?

Oh, and how about Chimney top?”

“I don't think you need an axe but crampons or ice creepers would be a very good idea.”

“Hey HPM: do you have those pictures from that famous winter backpack trip when the trail was iced over, and all you had to save your butt was the steel cables?”

“Yep. Thanks. Have crampons, will hike.”

“I had a stick too.

http://www.troop623.com/Smokies01_1.htm”

“http://www.troop623.com/Smokies01_1.htm



At several spots along the trail the treadway became narrow and slippery with steep drop offs. In some of those sections bolts were shot into the rock with cables attached for hikers to hang onto. There were steeper sections than this. Sorry, no photos of those. I was busy hanging onto the cable!

Best I could do Mike. (boulevard trail)
last edited: 11/08/05 12:00:36 PM”

“A few years ago I went up Alum Cave Trail on New Year's Eve and returned the next day. Just before the cables the trail was on large boulders covered with ice. I sat and slid up without any problem. Slid down the same area the next day. There was only one to three inches of snow at the higher levels.

I was real careful by the cave. Hugh icecycles can drop right on the trail.”

“crampons or ice creepers would be a very good idea. - HPM

I strongly second HPM!
I've had great luck with instep crampons in the Smokies.
Many trails freeze over with ice that is thawing and melting all the time.
Wet slick ice isn't fun.”

“I've got some strap-on grivels that I plan to use. I gotta get some duct tape though, so I won't have to take the weight of the crampon pocket, which weighs half as much as the crampons themselves.”

“I hiked this trail in icy conditions. No way I would go without crampons.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/237852422/237983217yXWVPQ
http://community.webshots.com/photo/237852422/237907039UOAnMR

but yeah...don't think you'll need an ice axe
last edited: 11/08/05 10:29:57 PM”

“yeah, I would go with 6 point insteps at the bare min. I recommend full crampons for the Alum Cave Trail, otherwise I would climb LeConte via the Bullshead Trail. Even that trail gets really icy at the top and those cheap crampons don't do any good. I used them up the Bullshead trail and they suck!”