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May 01, 2007
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Are my old double-leather boots adequate for a Denali ascent?
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Omega Boot (courtesy, Scarpa)
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I’m climbing Denali via the Muldrow Glacier in May 2008, and I’d like to start breaking in
some boots (and my feet). Unfortunately, I’m a size 14 and am having trouble finding
double-plastic boots large enough. Any chance that my old (c. 1982), but well cared for,
double-leather boots would be adequate?
— Glen
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Do you have a question of your own?
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 The Muldrow Glacier is one of the classic routes up Denali—the route the first
parties to ascend the mountain used. It’s also a loooong route, as you no doubt know. You
can’t fly in to the Muldrow Glacier, so you have to hike in the 15 miles from Wonder Lake.
Fred Beckey has a great account of that approach in his book, Mount McKinley: Icy
Crown of North America. If you haven’t read that book, then I heartily suggest you
do.
As for your old boots: Well, they might work. Heaven knows plenty of people have climbed
Denali in double-leather boots. And plenty of them lost toes. You’d need to reinforce
their cold-weather capabilities with vapor barrier liners and full overboots such as
Outdoor Research’s Brooks Ranger Overboots ($135; outdoorresearch.com). Beyond that, I
actually wonder if your old boots still fit that well. Feet change, spreading a bit as you
age. And you have to allow for the fact your feet will swell as you ascend. So if they
aren’t at least a full size over your normal boot size, then I’d be skeptical as to their
effectiveness.
So what to do? Admittedly, size 14 is on the far edge of what boot makers are putting out.
One possible option is the Koflach Vertical ($390; koflach.com). It has the same shell as
the Koflach Expe, but a thinner liner so it’s billed as going up to size 14. And it’s
rated for cold weather, down to minus 40. You’d still want the Brooks Rangers, though. I
also like Scarpa’s recently redesigned Inverno ($335; scarpa.com), which goes up to size
13 in the UK range, and that translates to 14 in the U.S. Scarpa’s newer Omega ($360)
offers a little more precision on rock or ice, yet still keeps your feet warm. They also
go up to size 14.
So, get yourself to a boot store and give some of these a try. And remember, you want them
to be a little too big. Good luck!
The Gear Guy reports from
2007 Winter Outdoor Retailer, the bi-annual gearapalooza in Salt Lake City. Check out
his top picks for gear to watch in 2007.
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