yo john, I have used aluminum crampons in the Cascade mountains and lived to tell about it. There is nothing special or different about the Cascade mountains that should stop you from using common sense. The route and the conditions of that route will have you going across a lot of exposed rock while wearing your crampons, then aluminum might not be the best choice. But, IMO, not all aluminum crampons are the same regarding durablity. If you just want to get one pair of crampons, then go with a steel pair...they'll last you longer.