Ode to My Boots

Four years ago, I was hiking up North-South Trail on Mont Tremblant, Quebec. It was turning out to be a great day. Sweet conditions, spring smells and leafing buds dotted the way. No one was around. A mountain to myself.

Soon though, on a small switchback, a figure was glimpsed down below. The fellow hiker was rapidly gaining. At the next turn, the man had closed big distance. He wore a small Camelback and was geared down for speed. Meanwhile, I was way over outfitted (do you sense excuses forming?). 

He caught up on a flat and we stopped to chat. The chap was fit, about my age, a half century or so. Turns out my new trail mate was an officer from America's 10th Mountain Division, a 20,000 strong, mountain warfare unit.

We finished the trail together, though I must have slowed him down. He was an officer and gentleman, so gave no signs that the pace dampened his outing. We've stayed in touch since. A couple of months after that meeting, a box arrived at my door. Inside, was a pair of khaki Nike SFB Gen 2 boots. The officer had generously gifted them.

Quality hiking boots and trail shoes can usually be expected to last 800 to 1,600 km (roughly 500-1,000 miles). I guesstimate that my boots are at 1,601 km. No joke. I have done the fuzzy math a few different ways and it works. And they are still going strong, albeit, with the expected aging (like me).

This is not a boot review, it is about honouring my feet mates. Pick all the metaphors you can. We have traveled up and down together. Far, too. My boots and I have gone out of our comfort zone. Repeated the same mistakes. Through good weather and poor, we traveled as one. There is a poem in there, I am just too emotional to write it.

All joking aside, the boots have been trusty, supportive friends. Dammit. There I go again.

It is a psychological fact that people can grow attached to their possessions. I will be sad when the boots are ultimately retired. That will probably be early summer based on the wear and tear. They have a few war wounds now patched liberally with Shoe Goo and Krazy Glue. The stretches, tears, scuffs and lines add to their character and personality (I am getting emotional again). 

Perhaps, I will get them bronzed like my first pair of baby shoes. Imagine them side-by-side. Ahhh.

There is some good news to this tale, inside that box sent from my friend was another pair in green. These patient friends, have been standing by to join me for the next 2,000 kms of trails. I can't wait.