 Poster: A snowHead
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As customer service standards seem to be slipping in many retail areas I just thought I'd post relating my experiences in trying to get a set of crampons for my ski boots. Looked at loads of sites at various different designs, took the advice of fellow  s, and then decided to make a few calls to ensure I got the right ones. Tried three shops, who all claim to be the 'experts in all aspects of mountaineering supplies' or similar. Not one seemed vaguely interested in giving me advice or telling me which system would work best for what I wanted, standard response seemed to be "there are pictures on our website sir". Hopeless. Then rang Facewest. Totally different story. Initial person I spoke to said he didn't know much about crampons and ski touring but would get his colleague to call me back. Five minutes later I get a call, very knowledgable and helpful guy, tells me exactly what I need, pros and cons of various systems and where to find them on the website. Two minutes to order online, and now a day later the crampons have arrived and they fit exactly as advertised.
Well worth looking at their website if you are in the market for anything of an alpine nature
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Nice one Facewest
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Another satisfied Facewest customer here. Bought a DTS Tracker from them which broke during the season (on/off button snapped off!). Sent it back to Facewest, new one returned within a week, no questions asked. With such an important piece of kit I was very happy with the service from these guys.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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BGA, which crampons did you go for & why?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Stubai Trek Lite Pro. http://www.facewest.co.uk/pp/stubai/treklite.htm
Guy at Facewest said that design fits a ski boot closest - which it seems to do - also they fit the bill in terms of the type of terrain I'll be using them on, ie they are designed for hard glacial neve snow and ice. Apparently they will blunt if used a lot on rocks but that's not really the plan, I just want them for those bits of hard snow where you can't kick a step into. I had a couple of 'moments' last season when I had to walk across short exposed traverses and couldn't get any grip and as I imagine I'll be doing more of the same I'm not keen on repeating the experience. The other advantage is that they are very light so won't weigh the backpack down
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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BGA, Did you get or have you got an axe? Gotta be able to self-arrest 
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And of course the obligatory length of rope and assorted carabiners to attach to pack to really look the part.
I was actually thinking of going to Castleford tomorrow to try out the Gots with their new VIST bindings(!!) and also have a go with the crampons, but then it occurred to me that I would look a complete tw@t wandering round an indoor slope with big mountain skis and crampons so I might not bother.
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BGA, Go on. I'll bring a camera 
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FAQ
