No, not a tall order at all. Once upon a time we just went to REI, bought “climbing boots,” and did everything in themhiked, climbed Rainier, climbed rock (admittedly, not very well), and never thought about the notion we needed a different pair of boots for every activity.
Super Alpinista
My own thought is that the Inverno ($300; www.scarpa-us.com), an excellent plastic boot, may be too much. Great for the cold/icy bits, less ideal for things like hiking on dry (if rugged) trails. The La Sportiva Nepal Extreme ($420; www.sportiva.com) has leather uppers (plus insulation) so it will have better “feel” on rock and will be more comfortable on the trail, although we’re not talking about day-hiker nimbleness. And my guess is they won’t be quite as warm as the Invernos. Full overboots or gaiters will help here, but I expect you’ve already laid in something such as the Outdoor Research Brooks Ranger Overboots ($135; www.orgear.com).
Two other boots might merit your attention. One is the Vasque Super Alpinista ($400; www.vasque.com), which like the La Sportiva boot has leather uppers, but it’s also designed for cold-weather use. The Scarpa Freney XT ($400) is also worth a lookit’s a new, futuristic-looking boot with partial leather uppers and PrimaLoft insulation, designed for mixed-alpine use in cold conditions.
You’ve got an ambitious climbing agenda. Stay saferemember, as Ed Viesturs says, getting to the top is optional. Getting back is not.
Read ϳԹ‘s for the ten-step guide to getting up North America’s big hills, from Half Dome to Mount McKinley.