Plastic boot time?

[Mongoose]

Are the trails snowy and icy enough for plastic boots yet? I don't want to wear leather boots in freezing weather. Plus my leathers don't have crampons. Plastics aren't comfortable on rocky trails though.. Any suggestions?

 

[SherpaKroto]

Depends where. I starting using mine in the Presis in October I would say that they are definitely helpful in above treeline treks. For long aproaches, maybe not so much.

 

[MEB]

I've been wearing my plastics for past the couple of weekends. Like SK says it depends on where you will be going. I've been seeing everything from bare ground to hardpacked snow to partially snow/ice covered rocks.

-MEB

 

[sardog1]

Depends on "weather" (sic) you want to stay dry and vertical, or wet and horizontal, this weekend:

Winter Storm Watch
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
1114 AM EST THU DEC 15 2005

...A MESSY MIX OF PRECIPITATION WILL MOVE INTO SOUTHERN MAINE AND
NEW HAMPSHIRE ON FRIDAY...

.LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPING ALONG MID ATLANTIC COAST TONIGHT WILL
MOVE INTO NORTHERN NEW JERSEY BY DAYBREAK.

PRECIPITATION WILL INITIALLY START AS A MIX OF SNOW AND SLEET IN
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND EXTREME SOUTHWEST MAINE EARLY TOMORROW
MORNING...THEN CHANGE TO SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN BY AFTERNOON.
TEMPERATURES MAY GET ABOVE FREEZING IN SOME COASTAL LOCATIONS
DURING THE AFTERNOON BUT THE BITTER COLD OF THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS
WILL LIKELY RESULT IN ICING WELL AFTER TEMPERATURES GET ABOVE
32 DEGREES...ESPECIALLY ON SIDEWALKS AND ROADWAYS.

FARTHER INLAND EXPECT PRECIPITATION TO REMAIN MAINLY IN THE FORM
OF SNOW FROM THE FOOTHILLS INTO THE MOUNTAINS OF MAINE AND NEW
HAMPSHIRE. PRECIPITATION WILL MOVE INTO THESE AREAS FROM MID
MORNING TO EARLY AFTERNOON AND MAY OCCASIONALLY MIX WITH SLEET IN THE FOOTHILLS.

 

[Bob Kittredge]

This past weekend on Field and Tom there was enough snow (8") so that the plastic boot wearers in our party were not complaining. More importantly, you should be wearing waterproof boots if you'll be doing any stream crossings as they are still a little dicey.

 

[Mongoose]

I'm planning an overnight trip up Liberty Springs trail. I need to work up my winter hiking skills again, it's been a while. It sounds like it's a little snowy in that section of the Whites.

 

[Mike P.]

It's probably time. I got away in leather mountaineering boots in late November on Washington & in ADK's but barring an odd two weeks, planning on plastics on 12/30.

 

[dms]

You can get some excellent insulated leather boots, I have some Tecnica insulated leathers, and I prefer them over my plastic Raichles, way more comfortable, great with crampons and snowshoes.

 

[DougPaul]

You can get some excellent insulated leather boots, I have some Tecnica insulated leathers, and I prefer them over my plastic Raichles, way more comfortable, great with crampons and snowshoes.

I would like to second this--there are some insulated leather boots that are warm enought for the Whites. I have a pair of Galibier Makalu double leather boots which have been quite adequate for ice climbing and hiking in the Whites. Also comfortable. Chris Bonnington and expedition used this boot on the Everest Southwest Face expedition--a bit more demanding use than hiking in the Whites. (Unfortunately, this boot is no longer available, but there are others.)

The real issue is winter insulated boots, not plastic vs leather.

And yes, IMO, it is time for winter insulated boots. Below 0F minimum temps have been reported in the Whites on recent nights.

Doug

 

[Double Bow]

I wore my plastics for Eisenhower and Pierce last month and was glad for it (except for the boot bang) I would say that now is definately the right season for them.

 

[giggy]

hell ya - its fecking cold up there!!

 

[Mongoose]

I have a terrible time keeping my feet warm too. Although a lot of peopel don't realize that not enough insulation on your legs can make your feet cold. That's something to check out.

 

[Nadine]

If I wear leather boots this time of year my feet freeze. Plastic hiking boots are pretty similiar to ski boots, and I can usualy stay pretty warm in those as long as I'm moving/skinning/skiing.