[Closed] any mountain climbers?

Yes, you need an axe to go with your crampons and the skills to use it properly, winter skills course is a good idea or the BMC do a good winter walking DVD as a starting point.

Best bet on the crampons is to take the boots along to a decent outdoors shop and get professional advice and make sure that whatever you're going to buy fits the boot properly. You'll probably want a flexible crampon - usually graded C1 - I like the ones with the plastic cradle front and rear type fitting, very easy and quick to put on and remove and secure. Plenty of options out there, I like Grivel, but lots of good brands about.

Firstly the axe comes first. you can cut steps if no crampons with it. Also its the essential if you slip. Learn to self arrest. Nowadays , the industry in its "wisdom" classifies everything. Boots are graded B1, B2, B3. B1 is roughly walking only and may or may not take a crampon. Depending on the manufacturers version of B1! (cynical me?) B2 will take crampons good enough for mid grade climbing. really the point where any boot will take a crampon effectively. B3's are near rigid and great for steep work but walking the South Downs way would be more comfortable in your cleated road shoes. So they say. Mine are fine but I date from the 70's as far as the hills go. Crampons are C1, C2, C3. Maybe they match with the boots. Generally you boots can be a higher grade than you crampons. I guess your boots will not take clipon crampons. No worries, get something 12 point and if the boots are stiffenough you'll be able to do anything up to grade 5 winter. Ask Altberb how they would rate them. Crampons are pricey. Consider ex military. old tech but they work well. Avoid the Scissor Salewas though as they just don't work with straps. Look for something like a Salewa Everest or Classic if you go old style. Get an axe first. Try a forum like Outdoor Magic or LFTO.UK climbing is like this forum but full of prima donnas. Finally find a decent shop and ask.

What model are the Altberg boots? they will probably take a flexible strapped crampon like these. note the straps, the crampons with heel and/or toe bails probably won't fit your boots
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Yes, you need an ice axe, and learn how to use it, otherwise it's completely useless.

If you have no winter experience but are happy to walk in any weather any other time of year and your nav is on the ball. I would say the best thing to do is go on a winter skills course winter walking is a different game.

You need crampons and a walking axe, if you slip on snow/ice with out a axe you would find it hard to stop yourself. That's why it's a good idea to do a winter skills course as they will teach you how to use all the gear.

Crampon wise if your boots are in class B1 then you can use crampons that are C1 but not any higher. The boot is the part of the system which provides the stiffness for the crampon. Grivel G10's are a very good walking crampon.

Have a word with your local gear shop for advice, they might also run winter courses. Tiso have some good staff and also run courses.

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can't find the make of the boot on the site but this is a pic of it from the site???

Someone has to say it so it might as well be me. There is no such thing as winter hill walking (in Scotland anyway), it's mountaineering.

If you are indeed a student your uni may have all the required kit.

As above - you need an axe before crampons, and need to know how to use it (for ice axe braking, not climbing).

Crampons will help you not slip, but won't save you life if you do, unlike a axe. 🙂

A couple of hours doing a winter skills course with an instructor is well worth the time and money if you don't know anyone to show you the ropes.

if you're in the lakes walking much and need advice go up to needlesports in keswick, take your boots with you. Probably the best shop in the lakes for climbing advice. (imho!)

I would recommend Glenmore lodge for a winter skills course.
J.

^^ that

I do know someone who may be able to show me the ropes, he did free climbing but also did some ice climbing etc.

i'll give him a buzz

Those boots are B1 at best, so it'll be a strapped crampon as opposed to semi or full step-in that you get on C2 or C3.

Do a winter skills course, it's more than just being able to walk through snow (e.g. avalanche awareness, mountain weather systems, self arrest etc.)

crampons can kill you in the event of a slip, an axe will save you.
Walking in winter without an axe is almost like going down the steepest hill without brakes on your bike!
with regards to the boots, you need a flexible C1 crampon and you would almost definitely need an extender bar for size 13s.