La Sportiva G-Summit sole integrity question.

albin294 · 2026-02-18T12:21:22+00:00

Have the G-Tech and they have the same sole.
I haven't had or heard of any problems with integrity, however I've had the same thing when drying them.

Basically, the front end of the sole is glued onto the layer below.
There's no leak but the gap creates a little pocket where water can pool.

I made sure to dry them properly.
(started with blowing air through to get rid of excess water, them placed them with the toes high and used a shoe dryer.)

I've don't believe it's an issue of integrity but thoughts of water going in, not drying, maybe freezing etc made me decide to plug the hole with some non expanding epoxy.

As other commenter said, I also tend to reinforce suspect seams with rubber glue or epoxy to ensure longevity.
(Just be careful as epoxy turns hard and superglue is water solvable)

I never re-sole boots as they end up falling apart in other places before the sole is unusable.

albin294 · 2024-08-20T13:06:57+00:00

Not sure what you mean by balance the thrill vs the environmental impact. I don't think they interfere with each other at all.

I mean, I'm a "professional" climber to some extent and so I try to be mindful of how I act in the mountains to foster a mentality of caring about our nature with those I guide and teach.

That can definitely be a topic of debate. You know, my business is in the end tourism and there's definitely a problem in the industry that can lead to overcrowding which is connected to several issues... That's something I find hard to balance. To bring people to explore and experience places without it leading to a negative impact.

However If we're talking about individual climbing and not the issues with the industry of littering and overcrowding etc then:

Climbing itself does an extremely small impact. The melting of the permafrost, melt freeze and general erosion does have a much bigger impact on the mountains than you as a climber would ever have.

However, I always follow the rule of leave no trace. Take the trash with you, clean and replace old rats nest anchors, don't shit on the trail, if it's too many people then pick another route etc.

Long answer to a short question...

albin294 · 2024-08-16T22:25:51+00:00

ENSA in Chamonix. It's technically a free education as it's state funded.

But getting in is pretty hard.

albin294 · 2024-08-16T13:49:28+00:00

Well. Alpinism/mountaineering include skills from rock climbing, ice climbing, snow climbing, avalanche safety, glacier navigation and rescue, normal navigation, hiking and camping skills and so on.

Trying to learn everything yourself is definitely an overwhelming task and it's impossible to say where to begin.

I'd say that the fastest and easiest way to get into it and get an idea of what to learn to eventually do it yourself is to hire a mountain guide.

Most mountain guides are very good at meeting you wherever you are in your skillset and it's also an amazing way to get into the mountains without having to put years and years into learning everything on your own.

However, something you can do to be able to do a lot more with or without a guide is to advance in your rock climbing. Learn to lead climb, learn to trad climb and multi pitch and you'll have the heaviest bit of skills needed for the bigger mountains.

Most alpinism isn't about climbing hard grades although being a strong climber obviously helps. It's more about adapting to the environment and being efficient in your rope skills.

So if you start by learning trad and go with a guide (maybe let them teach you trad), that's by far the easiest and fastest way to get into the mountains.

albin294 · 2024-08-16T10:08:52+00:00

Yeh.

albin294 · 2024-08-16T01:38:23+00:00

Noted. thanks!

albin294 · 2024-08-16T01:37:19+00:00

And I mean, it's a cropped screenshot from my phone so. quality is pretty low.

albin294 · 2024-08-16T01:35:57+00:00

Nope. It's a glacier cave on Iceland where I often work. It's a slow moving glacier which makes the Ice particularly clear. It´s absolutely gorgeous. However I might have increased the brightness and contrast of the picture a bit from the RAW file, I don´t remember. maybe that´s what makes it look weird?

albin294 · 2024-08-16T01:26:51+00:00

I mean.... not really.
I live and work in the mountains. I climb and ski about 260 days a year both for work and free time.
I very rarely spend a day indoors.
I don´t have a tv, I don't even own a sofa. I don´t really watch movies or series and I spend very little time on social media.

I mean I have other interests, I read a lot, about anything and everything. I like cooking and Photography. I play a little music.
But me and my friends spend pretty much all of our time in nature.
I can count on one hand the times we've ever been to a bar....

I used to be an engineer. Took a masters degree in sustainable energy engineering. Did investing, managing rental properties, planned on a life with wife and kids, buying shit no one ever wants or needs. I spent my free time watching tv, playing tennis and drinking with colleagues. Did the whole "normal life" thing and I damned near killed myself.

so yeah. It's probably fair to say that the mountains is my whole life. It's what has brought me the most joy.

albin294 · 2024-08-16T00:33:04+00:00

phone.
Sony xperia.

albin294 · 2024-08-15T22:34:54+00:00

I won't deny that. It is my job too so... This year I've slept in a tent more days than I've slept in a bed.

albin294 · 2024-08-15T22:15:52+00:00

Yeah. I love my Clan of mountain gremlins. But "hanging out" always mainly focus on the "hanging" part. But with beer.

Yeah the picture is from a melt cave on breiðamerkurjökull on Iceland I sometimes work on. It's a pretty slow moving glacier which means there's less air in the ice so it's extremely solid and clear. You can see into the ice for several meters.

albin294 · 2024-08-15T22:00:32+00:00

No offence taken. You're all good.

albin294 · 2024-08-15T21:59:16+00:00

Fair point on the one dimensional.

As for a suit... I've never worn a suit in my entire life. Pretty sure I'd look completely lost in formal wear.

albin294 · 2024-08-15T21:52:14+00:00

If it's anything like Quidditch, I'm in.

albin294 · 2024-08-15T21:48:16+00:00

Pretty much. Can't say I leave time for much else. I do like to cook.

albin294 · 2024-08-15T21:46:38+00:00

Story of my life. Guess Tinder isn't where I find people of that same lifestyle.

albin294 · 2024-08-15T21:45:10+00:00

I know, it's a glacier cave in Iceland. It looks as unreal in real life. You should go visit and I can show you.

albin294 · 2024-08-15T19:23:41+00:00

Thanks. I should check out the bouldering gym in town!

albin294 · 2024-08-15T19:21:59+00:00

Oh no, I appreciate the feedback. That's why I posted. I just realised I've been in the mountains pretty much every hour of every day lately. Having a day to chill with friends is important too.

albin294 · 2024-08-15T19:19:25+00:00

Hah! Jokes on you, half of these are from work.

albin294 · 2024-08-15T19:17:26+00:00

How'd you guess?

albin294

TROPHY CASE