Hi all, I'm off to Nepal to climb Lobuche East and cannot figure out what shoes are needed for the approach trek.
At home in Scotland, I have B2 boots for winter/wet and mostly use trail runners for approach and scrambling in summer - nothing in between anymore. As I have to buy something new, I would ideally get something useful beyond Nepal:
My questions, then:
Thanks in advance - I know these sorts of questions are asked all the time but I haven't found the answer on other threads!
(PS extra question: I had hoped to find a guide to help me and partner climb Gran Paradiso in early March as practice at altitude but not getting any replies. Confirming it is a bad idea to go for it without a guide? with mainly scottish winter ii experience and summer alpine - ie one axe, and a decent idea of good glacier practice but not huge experience).
the paths are good quality. Approach shoes all the way
Regarding Gran Paradiso - I haven't been there in March but my understanding is that it's generally ski touring all the way through May and so some kind of flotation would be needed.
Whether that's true this year or not with dry winter I've heard they've had, I don't know. Or if you might get away with snow shoes. But worth noting that a quick google reveals companies apparently selling ski touring of Gran Paradiso all the way through May, e.g. https://www.chamex.com/trip_courses/gran-paradiso-ski-tour
So snow conditions/depth and avalanche conditions are probably the primary considerations and may be why you're not hearing back.
Re ski mountaineering, that makes a lot of sense. And would be ideal but that my partner doesn't ski. Will keep the practice to Scotland then!
Reassuring to hear about the paths too, thanks. Still not quite sure what to make of the Rangers but there you go.
Edit: thanks to both for your replies.
Yes, I meant more that I wouldn't expect it to be a walkable mountain at that time rather than suggesting touring as alternative training - sorry if that was unclear.
Hope you have a great trip!
Nothing directly helpful I'm afraid, but I happily walked around beneath kanchenjunga for two weeks in tx2s with no issues, and have done shorter treks in lighter shoes.
Whether they, or scarpa rangers, work for you is something only you can say I think.
Hello
Do you know which route you are taking to approach Lobuche? We trekked in to Gokyo then over the Cho La. If you are used to walking in approach shoes you should be fine with TX4s for most of the approach trek. Only caveat being the day over the Cho La where there is a brief stretch on glacier/neve. I used Salamon Speedcross trainers for most of the approach but did have a mid cut lightweight boot for a couple of the days and was glad of the extra protection they offered on the Cho La day. I would imagine the snow varies from season to season. We were there in early November.
If I was going again I would take something like the Scarpa R-Evo which is as light and comfy as my approach shoes but stiff enough to kick steps in snow for short passages like the Cho La.
If you are approaching via the Everest valley trainers will be fine.
Gran Paradiso will be hard work without skis in March. It's technically a straightforward ascent provided you are competent in glacier travel and happy to negotiate a short rock step at the summit but as to whether you need a guide or not is really for you to decide
Enjoy Nepal!
Iain
Thanks Andrew and Iain, and all others for your helpful replies!
I am going in May, and going via Gokyo and the Cho La pass to Lobuche. As my TX4s are not GTX it sounds like I'll be better off in the Scarpa Rangers, even though they're rather heavy (good training..?). Bought them and used them now, cheap at least.
May bring both then, as well as crocs for camp, although that's starting to seem a lot like luxury!
I've cancelled the Gran Paradiso trip - juggling costs not the least reason - so will just do more tours around Scotland instead. Would it be madness to break in the double boots on a Scottish I/II, assuming good conditions?
Looking forward to it, thanks again - and maybe see you out there Andrew!
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