Going The Distance

Day 177: Which pair of boots has gone the distance, top or bottom? If you based your guess on the torn out D-ring and lack of heel tread on the bottom pair, you would be very wrong. If there is one adage to live by as a hiker, it is this: never buy cheap boots. The bottom pair, destined now for the garbage can, were purchased less than two years ago. A second identical pair is almost as worn, and that's just from the abuse they received during the fitness challenge.

On the other hand, the top pair is forty years old, and as my favourites, they've seen thousands of miles. They've been to the top of Mount Rainier and several other Pacific Northwest peaks. They've suffered rocky terrain, saltwater sand, volcanic pumice, soaking rain. They've been resoled four or five times, but the leather is still in good condition, if rather scuffed. The bottom pair cost me a whopping $69 at a national outfitter. I knew they wouldn't last. I shelled out $189 for those trusty, trustworthy Bambinos in 1975 (a lot of money in those days) and they'll be good for another several thousand miles. Unfortunately, the boot is no longer made, but if it was, I'd be willing to spend $400 on new ones.

Boots are an essential part of my wardrobe. I have eight pair. I am attentive to their care and feeding, drying them carefully when they get wet, sealing them against snow and water, keeping the leather soft and pliable. That said, I expect them to serve me well. I want them to go the distance with me, not wear out after a lousy 1500 miles.

Climbing Cleats

Day 221: "Hiking boots of Neta Budil / Neta and Elwood Budil joined The Mountaineers, Tacoma Branch, in 1943. Neta climbed Mt. Rainier in these boots with tricouni nails and cleats around the edges stamped with: Ome Daiber, Seattle USA, No. 613. Ome Daiber joined the Seattle Mountaineers in 1931. / Donate by Neta's granddaughter Julie and her husband Bill Miller."

If Neta Budil isn't exactly a household word outside the Pacific Northwest climbing circle, Ome Daiber holds that distinction. I had the privilege of meeting the mountaineering legend and inventor of "Sno-Seal" one afternoon as he was hiking down from Camp Muir and I was on my way up. I was a sprightly and energetic 30-something, but Ome put me to shame. He'd made the 5000' elevation-gain ascent to Rainier's best-known base camp in just under four hours. He was 78 years old, and still going strong. Ome invented other products for alpinists as well. Prior to the invention of crampons, climbing boots such as Neta Budil's were outfitted with tricouni nails for traction on hard-frozen snow. Ome's specialized cleats gave mountaineers a substantially improved grip on the ice.

Ome became something of a hero to me after that chance meeting. I was new to the sport of climbing and somewhat in awe of the men and women who had accomplished so many ascents with such primitive gear. Outfitted in the most modern equipment, I went on to meet the challenge of Mount Rainier six times by five different routes, picking off a few other lesser summits as well. Some time later, I learned that Ome had developed late-onset diabetes. He made a successful summit bid on the Mountain after losing one leg as a result of the disease, but passed away the following year after having the other leg removed as well.

Photo taken in the newly remodeled Tacoma Mountaineers clubhouse during Mount Rainier National Park's annual Volunteer Brunch.