| Messages 1 - 49 of total 49 in this topic |
Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 23, 2009 - 10:25am PT
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The "Best climbing shoe" thread got me to thinking, and then appreciating my old Super Guides. I don't know if they still make them (it's google time) but they were among the best mountain boots.
Who's with me on this?
I wish I still had them but they got lost somewhere in the moves from the US to Europe back to the US back to Europe etc etc.
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eKat
Mountain climber
BITD2
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Jun 23, 2009 - 10:26am PT
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Hear! Hear!
Can't tell ya how many hundreds of things I did in mine. . . they lasted for DECADES!
:-)
AND IT HAVE WEIRD FEET.
eKat
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Robb
Social climber
It's like FoCo in NoCo Daddy-O!
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Jun 23, 2009 - 10:32am PT
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I had a pair of Makalu's (sp?). They were awesome!
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rockermike
Mountain climber
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Jun 23, 2009 - 10:50am PT
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The only time I have ever felt like a man was when I was wearing my Super-Guides. They were definitely some sh#t kicking boots. Must of weighed 7 lbs each. ha
My latest replacement (Scarpa Omegas - double plastic) weigh 4 lb 2 oz a pair. Nice for climbing but they just don't feel the same.
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TwistedCrank
climber
Ideeho-dee-do-dah-day
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Jun 23, 2009 - 10:53am PT
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I used to jog in the Yosemite backcounty in mine.
Then I'd stop and eat some gravel for lunch and drink my urine to quench my thirst.
Man those Super Guides were it. The first sole had that "M" pattern in the middle instead of the Vibram plus.
Some real shitkickers those.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jun 23, 2009 - 10:58am PT
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Superguides were for lightweights. Us real men wore Trappeur double boots.
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 23, 2009 - 11:09am PT
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Jeez Ghost, I had a pair of those Trappeur boots, with the little 'gaiter' top so to speak. They were very good but Super Guides were the best.
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Ain't no flatlander
climber
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Jun 23, 2009 - 11:11am PT
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Nice until the steel shanks cracked. Just weighed mine: a pair of 10.5's weighs 5 lbs 15 oz. By comparison, a Sportiva Trango Plus is 4 lbs 3 oz. And a Lowa Cristallo is 6 lbs. 14 oz.
Yes, you can still get SG's from France.
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Ottawa Doug
Social climber
Ottawa, Canada
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Jun 23, 2009 - 11:34am PT
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Had a pair of Super Guides in the early 80's, and a pair of Makalu's in the late 70's.
Both awesome boots.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
Monrovia, CA
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Jun 23, 2009 - 11:35am PT
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Still have my Peutereys. I preferred them to Super Guides as there was more ankle freedom for the fancy footwork I was reknowned for, lol. Still have my Makalus and my Bunny boots too.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jun 23, 2009 - 11:40am PT
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I had a pair of those Trappeur boots, with the little 'gaiter' top so to speak. They were very good but Super Guides were the best.
Yeah, sure, if you were a girly-man whose idea of mountaineering was prancing up some peak in California.
Ha ha. Seriously though, I agree, the SG's were great boots. They didn't fit my feet, but a lot of my partners wore them and were happy.
However, when the temps dropped, none of the singles could really cut it, and double boots (like my three-hundred-pounds-per-pair Trappeurs) came into their own. The advent of plastic doubles sparked a huge revolution in winter climbing.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Jun 23, 2009 - 11:50am PT
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Reilly,
I'm with you in all respects. I not only still have mine, I still use them (sometimes with the original Chouinard stiff crampons). Great mountain boots!
John
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Gene
climber
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Jun 23, 2009 - 12:56pm PT
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Puetereys - love mine. They need sole repair and weigh a ton, but have been good friends to my feet forever. Of course, it also took forever to break them in. Still love 'em. Strap on the Salewas and go.
gm
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jun 23, 2009 - 01:22pm PT
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I had a pair of Galibier Terray boots--very similar to the super guide, but they had a fold over type of closure, where the
superguides had the different type, sort of closed on both sides. Mine were heavy duty, and eventually just wore them
out. What great boots they were.
I also had a pair of Makalu's that I learned ice climbing on
Mt Washington in. Good boots too--until I started wearing Scarpa boots, the best fit I ever had was with Galibier.
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 23, 2009 - 01:29pm PT
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Tarbuster, I didn't realize that there was a similar thread.
I had a pair of Peutereys as well. Galibier made some great boots but so did Lowa, Trappeur etc.
three-hundred-pounds-per-pair Trappeurs
Jaysus, ain't that the truth. Those things weighed a ton.
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fattrad
Mountain climber
GOP Convention
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Jun 23, 2009 - 01:40pm PT
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Couldn't fit the SG's, wore Lowa Alpspitz.
The evil one
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Piton Ron
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Jun 23, 2009 - 01:45pm PT
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Still have both my SGs and my Trappeur single boots with that supple leather lining and the wood midsoles (more insulating than metal).
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Jun 23, 2009 - 02:44pm PT
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My first boots were a pair of Galibier Terray's. Sort of the old school equivalent to Trangos.
Had the name of the guy that made them stitched into the label.
I went thru about eight sets of soles on those boots (mostly doing the resole jobs myself)and then turned them into home made telemark ski boots after the shank cracked and I made a replacement composite one. One final crash finally destroyed them separating the sole from the upper.
They don't make 'em like they used to.
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Jun 23, 2009 - 03:39pm PT
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I had a pair of Peutereys that are as burly as a cast iron pot. Unfortunately, they were as heavy as one too. Still sitting somewhere in the garage. I remember hiking into the Palisades with those babies and being totally baked. Definitely made for the guys with big quads and glutes, which ain't me.
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jun 23, 2009 - 04:03pm PT
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I love my Super Guides;.....I felt invincible in them.....trail blazing, stomping, sh#t-kickin' post-holing, front pointing Super Guides.......I would put them on, chew on some broken glass, and then throw some raw meat on the cement porch gobble it up uncooked.......Almost everytime I wore those Super Guides,...I got laid....(Big boots......big weiner unit)...wierd that something made it FRANCE could have The Power.................
If you want a pair;...name your price, pay for shipping, and they are yours...........size 10 1/2 to 11.........
Are you man enough for the Super Guides or do you need the Lady Koflach?.....
These bad-boys have seen alot of rock/snow/ice, and are still mint...........best shoes on the planet, hands down......
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Jun 23, 2009 - 04:10pm PT
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Super Guides totally sucked for me. They were about the only thing available and had a small toe box that nearly did me in. In mountain boots fit is EVERYTHING!
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can't say
Social climber
Pasadena CA
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Jun 23, 2009 - 05:05pm PT
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My first pair of climbing shoes were SGs. I got them as a high school graduation present and took them to Germany with me when I went in the army and used them in the local klettergardens. This was in 73 and it seemed all the Germans used some sort of mtn boot at their local crags. I also picked up a pair of the Super Pros, the one's with the PVC toecaps. I think I still have both pair somewhere
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jun 23, 2009 - 05:13pm PT
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I'm not sure whether this says more about Squamish rock, about Super Guides, or about my friend John, but one day I belayed him as he led a horrifically run-out 10b slab in SGs. No pro, so groundfall potentiall the whole way. Just those hard vibram soles edging on tiny crystals.
Sick.
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Dolomite
climber
Anchorage
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Jun 23, 2009 - 05:13pm PT
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What Donini said. I got a good fit in a pair of Lowa Civettas that I owned for 35 years before I tossed them. I once owned a pair of Makalus that hurt my feet so bad I deliberately left them in Huaraz because I knew if I brought em back, being a cheap s.o.b. I'd bs myself into wearing them again.
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Jun 23, 2009 - 10:54pm PT
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Couldn't fit in Galibier, (except my first rock shoes Calcaires.) So my first ice boots were Meindl Glockners.
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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Jun 24, 2009 - 01:28pm PT
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I had a pair of SuperPro's
The last time I wore them we walked out of Titcomb Basin to the Parking lot in a day. The weather went bad so the idea was we would get out and have a pizza that night
Too far and too exhausted to eat anything after that walk!
BUT I was amazed at how far you could travel just staggering one foot in front of the other- just like Frankie used to do in the movies
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eKat
Mountain climber
BITD2
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Jun 24, 2009 - 01:33pm PT
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When I was instructing for OB, I wore my Galibier Vercors. . . they had pretty good flex for all that frikken angle of repose stuff up in the PacificNorthwest. . . up a volcano, down a volcano, up one side and down the other, over and over and over and over. . . .
YIKES.
I liked those boots, though.
I had THEE gnarliest callouses on my heels. . . they had to be a quarter of an inch thick. . . PRETTY.
:-)
eKat
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Jun 24, 2009 - 07:31pm PT
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Good boots. Did a lot of my first ice routes with those and SMC rigids. Good times.
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Mar'
Trad climber
Fanta Se
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Jun 24, 2009 - 09:06pm PT
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Oooh— Superpros! I wasn't a god then, but now that I'm a ghost €∫;D… I saw real superpros for $160 at Robbin's store in the olden days! I did get a set of the Arlberg-things for skiing there. You could strap them on to yer Galibier dbl Makalus, I loved those too. Purdiest boots when they was all frosty on the outside and summer on the inside!
I always shoe-gooed the Superguide toes and wore out two pair. Even created fiberglass laminate shanks when the steels cracked and had Rick Wheeler re-assemble them.
I use Scarpa Freneys now— the earlier blue-suede version. Thats the closest I've gotten to superpros 'cause those have a rubber toe-cap and they are the nimblest little ice-boot I've ever used.
When we'd hike in to the Palisades we'd wear flip-flops and pack the SGs. Remember the dope Sacs Millets w/ the trick zippered bottom part for boots? I didn't have one but it seemed like a cool idea.
When we hiked in to the Palisades in the Fall we'd wear flip-flops and carry the SGS!!
Once I skied down the Devil's Slide Trail down to Humber Park wearing SGs and the little Salewa 120 glacier skis. I almost ruined my ankle when I got hung up on some rocks sticking out of the icy rutted luge-run near the bottom.
I had to tape it for six months and couldn't stand on the outside of my foot for two years. That was when I bought my first pair of real plastic Dynafit Tourlite rando-boots. Now when I ski in single ice-boots I tele-turn (with fixed heels).
It's no problem linking turns in all kinds of conditions in those supple little ice-boots— it's just a matter of leaning back and forth to find the sweet-spot for exactly what I happen to be turning in as conditions change. Yep …fixed-heel tele!
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TMJesse
Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
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Jun 24, 2009 - 10:11pm PT
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My second pair of Super Guides. I had a pair in high school, but sold them because I couldn’t hike well in them – too stiff. I switched out to a pair of Vercours (another great boot). Then in 1980, I bought another pair at the 5th Season in Mt Shasta on sale, and they worked beautifully for climbing the mountain, which I did twice that summer while working for the Forest Service nearby. After that summer, the boots sat around and rarely got used. I kept them “just in case,” and I just loved to have them, even if they rarely got used. They were beautiful and smelled great. I would go though at least one pair of heavy hiking boots a season, sometimes two, working backcountry in Yosemite from 1982 on, but my barely-used Super Guides just took up space in my storage unit, wherever that was.
Then in 1987 while a grad student at Chico, I needed cash and decided to sell some gear, and the Super Guides got put up for sale along with a bunch of other nearly worn out stuff. I put up a 5x7 card up at student union, and calls came in for various stuff, including an inquiry about the Super Guides. The guy wanting the Super Guides said he was looking for some hiking boots, and I informed him that these boots were not a good choice for hiking. He decided to come over anyway and see them. Well, he tried them on and tromped around in my front yard before taking them off and telling me he didn’t have any money. I again reminded him that these were not hiking boots anyway, but meant for snow and ice. Hiking in them would hurt your feet and nearly cripple you after a few miles. He went on his way.
A week or so passed and he called again. Wanted to come over and talk about the Super Guides. By this time, I was getting sick of this gear dude wanting to bug me about boots he didn’t need and shouldn’t buy, but money talks, so I figured he would simply come over and buy them.
He shows up and tries to trade me a bunch of junk gear I didn’t need for the boots! And of course he wanted to look at them again, try them on and so forth. Talk about a tire kicker! I shooed him off after rejecting his offer – I needed cash, not a Boy Scout pack and a pup tent!
Again, another call came in from the “gear dude.” this time he had the $125 I was asking for the Super Guides in near perfect condition. He showed up and I kept it short, but gave him the warning about their use one more time – “these are not for hiking and backpacking, they’ll kill your feet.” At least I got my money and the guy was permanently on his way, so I thought.
That summer, I resumed my coveted job with Yosemite Backcountry, and was headed to the Mt. Lyell area for a week of clean up and “patrol.” I had learned that the best way to make time heading up Lyell Canyon was to hike the opposite side of the river than the trail. That way, all you had to do is wave at the hikers rather than stop and chat for 20 minutes a pop. If there were an emergency, they would let you know. So instead of 5 or 6 hours of chitchatting with all the hikers on the PCT/JMT, I was nearly all the way to Kuna Creek area in about 3 hours. I crossed where some pack outfit was ruining the meadow with their stock, gave them a talk, and proceeded along.
As soon as I hit the trail, everyone I ran into told me of a poor soul up ahead unable to walk due to his boots, blisters or something horrible. I ran into 3 or 4 parties with the same sad report when I came upon the victim: the gear geek who bought my Super Guides! This is a true story. I flat out told him that he had been aptly warned not to use the boots for hiking or they would render his feet useless after a few miles, and here he was. Now temporarily crippled from the boots and his stupidity, I informed him of his options: either wait out the pain right there for a few days and hike out; or, I could radio in an order for a Curry packer to come pick him up – at his expense. This was not an emergency, and he was on his own. Despite being flat out pathetic, the guy was truly embarrassed. He declined the offer to call for a Curry packer, and I went on my way.
I’ve told this story numerous times, but never had a reason to write it down until now. . . .
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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Jun 25, 2009 - 07:54pm PT
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The day I bought the Super Pro's I wanted to start breaking them in so I wore them to my night school Drafting class (a classic loser move!). This guy starts up a conversation and asks if i climb- I forgot what I said but HE was definitely a CLIMBER!- He had just done Mt. Huntington and the Roosters Comb that year. I think his name was Dave or Richard Something- used to live in Seattle and was back home in Minneapolis trying to get it together- Year was about 1978-79.
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TYeary
climber
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Jun 25, 2009 - 09:21pm PT
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Got a pair in '72 or '73. Still use them ocasionally. They've been to the Bugs, Sierra, Mexican Volcanos, and the Cascades. Like old friends. These days they make a trip up Baldy now and then. Still feel great.
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Ray-J
Social climber
cali
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Jun 25, 2009 - 10:13pm PT
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I destroyed 2 pairs...horrendous boots. :)
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jun 25, 2009 - 10:25pm PT
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Jesse, that is a flat out perfect story.
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Bertie
Trad climber
Sussex, England
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Mar 27, 2010 - 03:57am PT
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I have pair of Galibier super guide size 43 and Super Pro size 42 (which have only been worn once) if anyone out there is interested in buying. Unfortunately they no longer fit me.
I can send photos or details if anyone interested.
I even have the original receipts when I brought them in the early 80s!!
It would be nice to get them to a good home where they can be used.
Thanks
Bertie
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Norwegian
Trad climber
Placerville, California
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Mar 27, 2010 - 05:17am PT
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i scored a pair years ago from the used board at rei.
they came with some relic strap ons. (crampons) 75 bucks.
i cant seem to wear them down.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Mar 27, 2010 - 07:39am PT
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Pat, back in the day the Super Guides were the best boot available. I remember getting Super Guide toe syndrome. The cramped French Toe Box didn't accommodate American feet.
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Mar 27, 2010 - 07:42am PT
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Too funny, Todd.
Yep, you put those babies on and you had instant Alpine cred.
Rick
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Mar 27, 2010 - 07:48am PT
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My Peutereys never fit worth a damn but due to fashion pressure I was sure they were the right thing for the mountains.
Here with equally stylish socks on the Ellingwood in 1971. Note the over-the-shoulder slung hex.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
Monrovia, CA
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Mar 27, 2010 - 08:16am PT
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Peutereys beneath Super Gaitors with Salewas
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Bertie,
RE: Super Pro size 42
I live in the mountains.
That's daily winter footwear for me.
Check your email please.
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Bertie
Trad climber
Sussex, England
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May 19, 2010 - 01:04pm PT
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Hi Tarbuster
Sorry about the delay- I think e mail must have got deleted by mistake.
Have another go or let me know through this forum and we can go from there.
THanks
Bertie
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Brock Wagstaff
Trad climber
Larkspur
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May 19, 2010 - 03:02pm PT
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Super Guides and two broken axes after a summer in the Alps, 1977. Those boots absolutely killed my feet, but we all used them for many years. Probably explains continuing foot problems!
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theskiguru
Mountain climber
Berkeley, CA
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May 19, 2010 - 10:32pm PT
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They don't make 'em like they used to...thank god.
My first pair of SuperGuides was 1970, then a pair of Galibier double boots (Makalu?) in 1972, and I loved them, resoled them repeatedly. Galibier also made great 75mm ski boots that were superior to the early Asolo models. But in 1977 I got a pair of Galibier Super Guide Pro (blue plastic toe cap) from the Elephants Perch that I used for the next ten years (with Komito resoles).
So this thread was a real memory trip, but I couldn't believe that Pontvert still made a version of the Super Guide...I thought they went out-of-business with plastics. So I was amazed to find that the French outdoor retailer Aux Vieux Campeur still has them in all sizes for 315 Euro ($390USD).
Still the new lightweight yet stiff La Sportiva Trango or Scarpa Charmoz are preferable...lighter, dry, low maintenance, colorful(?)...do you remember how heavy and cold SuperGuides were when soaked wet? Have fun out there.
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bmacd
climber
Relic Hominid
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May 19, 2010 - 10:39pm PT
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I pulled the trigger on a new pair of La Sportiva Nepal Evos 3 weeks ago and walked 20 km in them on the first outing 2 weeks ago. No blisters, amazing boots.
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Cordell
Mountain climber
Vancouver BC
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Aug 10, 2010 - 11:02pm PT
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I have a noob question about the Galibier Super Guides...
I've been hiking in a pair of Meindl Super Perfekt. Love them and all, but they aren't the right boot for me. Something about them didn't quite fit, though I loved the stiffness, full leather and ruggedness of them.
What I gathered when I bought them is that they are a full shank boot, that being said, after 8 months of use, the toe area bent a little while trekking (which was fine with me and I wanted that to happen)
Now, I am not a vertical climber, I scramble at most and learning the ropes of mountaineering I just mostly like stiff boots to trek with with a heavy pack! (I know, somewhat sadistic...)
So I've been reading raves about these Galibiers, I'm wondering considering that I've used my Super Perfekts as trekking boots, could I use the Galibiers in the same manner?
I would want the boot to give just a little and bend a tad while walking. That's fine with me, I wouldn't want it to stay 100% stiff and immobile.
Thanks for all you guy's time!
C.
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