Just a hiker here, but this is lovely stuff. Is that Wildcat & Carter Notch out there? I'd like to learn about the boots setup here, the ability to stomp in your toes like that and obviously not suffer at the toes is remarkable. Is that just try'em until you find what works for you, or is there some shortcut like "buy a size too large?"
Correct. That’s Huntington Ravine, just across the street from the Wildcat and Carter Range. Boots and gloves are probably the most talked about pieces of kit among climbers. Mountaineering/ice climbing boots are typically full shank, so they’re not a lot of fun for hiking. I do have a few mountaineering boots which hike and climb rock or steep snow well, but are not comfortable on steep ice. Yes: the key is proper fit - and most folks will rave about what they have as it works for them. Lasportiva is known for being a bit narrow, but that varies a bit among model series, as some lasts are wider than others. I typically wear 42 street shoe and fit into 42.5 in Lasportiva boots. For me, that avoids any toe bang while climbing or descending. I wear a warm boot on cold days and lighter boot on warm days - but always the same style sock. Try a few boots. Pick what works for you. Spend the money if you have to. Don’t squeeze into a boot that doesn’t fit properly in order to save a few bucks. You’ll pay for it later.
Sweet ride, mate!
Great views! Kudos for being out in the bitter cold!!
Nice!
Looks like you had a gorgeous day, Matty.
Wow that last footage was pretty much a free solo.
You didn’t see on video that he placed two cams before moving onto the ice. The ice was solid but thin, with only a few moves to top out.
Just a hiker here, but this is lovely stuff. Is that Wildcat & Carter Notch out there? I'd like to learn about the boots setup here, the ability to stomp in your toes like that and obviously not suffer at the toes is remarkable. Is that just try'em until you find what works for you, or is there some shortcut like "buy a size too large?"
Correct. That’s Huntington Ravine, just across the street from the Wildcat and Carter Range.
Boots and gloves are probably the most talked about pieces of kit among climbers. Mountaineering/ice climbing boots are typically full shank, so they’re not a lot of fun for hiking. I do have a few mountaineering boots which hike and climb rock or steep snow well, but are not comfortable on steep ice.
Yes: the key is proper fit - and most folks will rave about what they have as it works for them.
Lasportiva is known for being a bit narrow, but that varies a bit among model series, as some lasts are wider than others. I typically wear 42 street shoe and fit into 42.5 in Lasportiva boots. For me, that avoids any toe bang while climbing or descending. I wear a warm boot on cold days and lighter boot on warm days - but always the same style sock.
Try a few boots. Pick what works for you. Spend the money if you have to. Don’t squeeze into a boot that doesn’t fit properly in order to save a few bucks. You’ll pay for it later.
client or friend?
Former client turned climbing partner.