Do you crampon up early or late?

[michaelmagno]

As the last vestiges of snow fade from our hills and visions of next years winter adventures gather in mind, I wonder: Are you more apt to put your crampons on earlier and trudge through the mix of mud/dirt for the sake of security on intermittent patches of snow; or are you a procrastinator, sallying forth through the slick and slip, waiting until the very last safe moment to put on traction? Personally, I like the steadfastness and security that early traction has to offer and am willing to endure the occasional gawdawful crunch of steel on rock. Where do you draw the line? What guides your decision making? Just curious.

[Taco]

Early.