Retrofit crampons to fit tele boots

I know we've discussed this before:

Most crampons do not fit the duckbill of tele boots. There are a couple made that do (Grivel G10 Wide and G10 Light are two I know of).

Without buying a new pair of crampons, I've been looking for a way to make my Grivel G12 fit my duckbills.

So, I took out my drill and Dremel and had at it...

Here are the results.

I used the toe bails from my Silvretta 405 AT bindings (which aren't getting much use now - I'll replace the bails sooner or later).

The crampons now fit all the boots I use - Koflachs, leathers with crampon welts, tele boots. They will not work with Sorels, Beans, etc.

If you want more details - better pics, advice on which Dremel bits not to use, how to cut the keyhole for the bail, etc... give me a holler...


and yes, I did get yelled at for doing this on the kitchen table...

Nice job Spencer! I wish I would have thought of this. It looks like a nice fit on the bails.

Now, if I could only come up with a use for my Scarpa Lasers and my Fritchi Diamirs....

Nadine

I'm not sure if all bails will fit this well. Notice these bails from the Silvrettas are half-round. I think the toe bails that come on step-in crampons have a full curve to them.

anyway, I'm quite pleased with this fit.

spencer