It’s bad form to refer to friends as old. In this case, however, hiking boots come under a separate and honored category. They are trusted old friends that have transported me on many adventures.
Curriculum vitae (CV) from left to right.
#1 While on some field research in the late 90’s I visited beautiful old Quebec City in Canada. I returned with Kristin on a vacation because I loved the place. As we explored, I found these boots in a sporting goods store. I don’t recall the brand, but they were hand sewn and the pretty French speaking sales gal sold me with a smile. CV – Summit of Mt.Fuji and training for Kilimanjaro. Discarded.
#2 These were chosen specifically for Mt. Kilimanjaro. Hand sewn ASLO boots. On a separate visit to REI, Nate chose the exact same boot. The worn toes were rendered by the scree, gravel and rocks from our fifty mile traverse to 19,340 feet and back. Our Golden Retriever, Brando, ate the laces down to the eyelets upon our return. They were soaked with the salt from our perspiration on the two-day rapid descent. He was angry we did’t take him on the trip. Still on the shelf…with new laces.
#3 Glued Keen boots. Purchased for lighter weight and water resistant. They were prolific. CV – Mt. Everest Base Camp, Grand Canyon rim to rim, two Colorado 14ers – La Plata Peak and Mt. Sneffels. Discarded.
#4 Glued Keen boots. CV – 1200 mile Ice Age Trail across Wisconsin. The soles are worn smooth. I still in use for slopping around, but no rock scrambling.
Boot selection is the most important decision when planning a trek. All these adventures were blister free with only one exception. My heels suffered blisters on day two the Kilimanjaro descent from the accumulated perspiration. From the summit to the hotel, we passed through six eco-systems: Arctic, Highland Alpine Desert, Heather & Moorland, Rain Forest, Cultivation, and Desert. -7 to 90 degrees. No wonder the boots look a little care-worn.
The Adventures of Spaghetti Eddie 