Crampon Care
 rampons are designed to keep you secure on ice and snow, and they're constructed to withstand years of hard use. During a typical climb, though, they can take a lot of abuse from walking and climbing on rocks. Because of this, it's a good idea to inspect your crampons before each trip. Check the points, the bindings and the screws that hold them together. A steep slope is no place to discover they need to be repaired!
Keep Them Sharp
 Keep your crampon points sharp by using a hand file. Do not use a grinding wheel, which can get hot enough to damage the metal's heat treatment. Be sure to file in the direction of the file's "teeth." File the side and crampon points as sharp as possible, and be careful to maintain a straight line from the frame to the tip. Check for any bent points which can affect the crampons' performance. Try to straighten these if possible.
Inspect the Bindings
Be sure to check your bindings, too. If you use step-in bindings, check the welts on your boots occasionally to make sure they aren't worn down too far. Worn welts can prevent the crampon bails from staying on. For strap-on bindings, check to see that the buckles are still secure and that the straps aren't fraying, cracked or cut.
Carry Spare Parts
And finally, take a quick look for any screws or rivets that may be loose or need replacing. Carry along some bailing wire, a wrench and any extra parts such as straps, bails or screws that could potentially break or be lost.
Keep Them Covered
Carry your crampons in a padded case or put point covers on them to protect your pack and its contents from being sliced by those newly sharpened points!
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