The Adventurer's Gear Thread

[BellyTank]

Modern, leather-soled, hobnailed Ammo boots(compared to vintage) seem much thinner and easier wearing to me- I've had a few pairs.

See what you can get-

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[Mike1939]

Mike, what sort of shoes are these "ammo boots"? I've probably seen them, just not heard that term before. I'm still looking for a nice pair of cap toe boots that I can actually wear without worrying about scuffing up an investment...

And just by the way, I finally bought a 20s-ish Ivy cap yesterday. It's a Barbour oilskin cap... have to post pics soon. Maybe I can dig up a link...

Ammo boots are the boots issued to British soldiers and marines during the World Wars. I'm not sure when they were first used or when they stopped for that matter. You can see them at Whatpriceglory.com. They have the WW1 as well as the WW2 versions. Enjoy your new cap.

 

[BellyTank]

I believe Ammo boots are still issued- they're used for parade/drill, with polished caps. The last pair I had, had a 1990s date.
So if they're still issued, they're still available.

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[Mike1939]

Ammo boots

Thanks Skbellis and Bellytank for your input on the boots. I was wondering how the hobnailed boots would do on the steep granite trails in the Sierras. Rubber soles might be a good idea. Here's my favorite hiking destination, High Loch Leven Lake in the Sierras. Its about a 4 mile hike to get there and well worth the effort. I love exploring this area.

 

[Kodiak]

Thanks Mike, on the info and the cap comment.

And, speaking of my cap, we got our first real rainstorm in two months today, so I decided to try out the supposedly wonderous waterproofing of Barbour gear. Believe it or not, it worked better than I could imagine: not a bit of water seeped through. My Filson bag performed at least as well and probably better, but that was to be expected. I've heard good things about them, but not much about Barbour caps of all things.

A pic or two will come soon... I promise!

 

[Mike K.]

I was wondering how the hobnailed boots would do on the steep granite trails in the Sierras.

Mike, I would think that if hobnails worked for Mallory on Everest, they'd work just as well in the Sierras. Such vintage footwear construction saw a lot of action in a lot of varied terrain over the years. Go for it!

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

I was wondering how the hobnailed boots would do on the steep granite trails in the Sierras.

Well, WW2 German mountain infantry boots had steel hobnails/cleats.

 

[Mike1939]

Mike, I would think that if hobnails worked for Mallory on Everest, they'd work just as well in the Sierras. Such vintage footwear construction saw a lot of action in a lot of varied terrain over the years. Go for it!

Good point. Mallory is definitely a inspiration to me and I am trying to get my gear as close as possible to that of climbers/adventurers of the 1920"s and 30's.

 

[cookie]

Mallory - How did he do it in those clothes?

Good point. Mallory is definitely a inspiration to me and I am trying to get my gear as close as possible to that of climbers/adventurers of the 1920"s and 30's.

Mallory's Artifacts and The Continuing Search
Tue, May 25, 1999 — Kathmandu, Nepal

In the ornately beautiful Dynasty Room (the former bed chamber of a Rana princess) of the Kathmandu's venerable Yak & Yeti Hotel, the members of the Mallory & Irvine Research Expedition met the world press for the first time since their historic discovery of George Leigh Mallory's body on May 1st. The team members displayed artifacts found on the body and addressed sensitive issues relating to the discovery. The breathtaking, baroque room, packed with reporters and television crews from Delhi, Hong Kong, New York, and around the world, was the venue for several surprise announcements by expedition leader Eric Simonson.

Simonson dropped the bombshell that he and his team are already planning a return to the 27,000-foot level of Mount Everest to resume their search for the body of Andrew Irvine and other artifacts relating to Mallory and Irvine's ill-fated 1924 attempt on Everest. The exact date of a follow-up expedition has yet to be determined, but Simonson indicated he hoped to do it by next year.

Simonson also announced that proceeds from the sale of images of Mallory's body will go to Himalayan charities to be determined later— and he hopes to have the involvement of the Mallory family and other appropriate parties.

"We're climbers, not treasure hunters," a tan and windburned Simonson told the room full of journalists. "It is not, and never was, our intention to enrich ourselves from this expedition. Frankly, we're blown away by the level of interest our discovery has generated."

The expedition leader further announced to the press that artifacts collected by the expedition relating to Mallory and Irvine's summit attempt would be put in the care of the American Foundation for International Mountaineering Exploration & Research (AFFIMER). Simonson said that it will the responsibility of AFFIMER to safeguard the handwritten letters, the pocket knife, the altimeter, the glacier goggles, and other items found near Mallory's body by his team while those items are evaluated and examined by experts. Further, it will be AFFIMER's responsibility to determine the ultimate disposition of those items to appropriate museums, historical agencies, and the Mallory family.

The climax of the packed press conference however came when Simonson displayed four of the items discovered by the expedition at 27,000 feet or above on the North Ridge of Everest: a scarf, in perfect condition, monogrammed with Mallory's initials; the glacier goggles found in his pocket; and a length of three-strand cotton climbing rope. Simonson also displayed an oxygen bottle used on the 1924 attempt, which was in remarkable condition—its valve still operational.

The appearance of the long-awaited artifacts resulted in a simultaneous, almost involuntary forward surge by the room full of journalists as all pressed closer for an up-close look at the items, protected by Ziploc bags. Nepali security guards were on hand to safeguard the rare artifacts.

In character for the team-oriented Simonson, he began the press conference by introducing the members of his expedition, beginning with the Sherpa members of his team, followed by the climbers, filmmakers, and historians.

Conrad Anker, who summited the mountain with Dave Hahn, described the summit bid and his successful free ascent of the Second Step. Anker reported that he found the three-meter "problem" of the Second Step to be "moderate," a series of moves he would rate as 5.8 at sea level but a different matter altogether at 28,300 feet. Anker concluded by saying that, in his opinion, it is unlikely that Mallory or Irvine could have reached the summit in 1924, not just because of the technical problems of the Second Step, but because of other difficulties on the final part of the route.

The expedition has been the target of criticism from climbers such as Edmund Hillary and Chris Bonnington for "profiting" from the sale of photos relating to Mallory's body. Simonson's remarks today, reiterating that proceeds would go to charities that benefit people in the Himalayan region, seemed to make the issue a moot point. Not a single question regarding the sale of the images was put forth by the assembled press.

As for returning to Everest to conduct further search efforts for artifacts and signs of Mallory's partner, Andrew Irvine, Simonson said that the precise timing has not yet been worked out, but that he was committed to going back to finish what he and his team had begun.

Other new information to come out at the press conference included responses to questions regarding the number of bodies that remain on the North Ridge climbing route. Simonson answered that he and his team had counted 17 bodies between 27,000 feet and the summit.

Liesl Clark, who is making a film for PBS/NOVA, said that she expects scientific examination of the artifacts to perhaps offer valuable clues as to the enduring mystery of whether Mallory and Irvine reached the summit. Could microscopic examination of the pocket knife perhaps indicate whether Mallory had cut himself free of Irvine? Could scientific examination of the altimeter perhaps indicate the maximum altitude gained by the pair in 1924?

Graham Hoyland of the BBC is the great nephew of Howard Sommerville, Mallory's friend and climbing partner. Hoyland said that contributing to the BBC's book, and film projects relating to the expedition, has been a personal goal dating back to his youth when he first learned of how his great uncle's camera went missing.

For the first time, Simonson revealed at the press conference that climbers Thom Pollard and Andy Politz had returned to the site of Mallory's body during Hahn's and Anker's summit climb. Their exhaustive search of the area around the body, made with metal detectors, uncovered at least one new artifact: Mallory's watch. Simonson said Politz and Pollard made a thorough search of the area and concluded that neither the camera nor other artifacts remain in the area.

Simonson said that, for that reason, no expedition, no climber need ever return to the site of Mallory's body. By searching the area completely rather than make their own summit climb, Politz and Pollard definitively concluded nothing of interest remains in the area. Simonson stated that because of their desire to see Mallory undisturbed, his team purposely chose not to give out the precise location of the body.

"Mallory can from this day forward rest in peace," said Simonson.

The Kathmandu press conference was organized jointly by the BBC, PBS/NOVA, and MountainZone.com, who are media partners and principle sponsors of the 1999 Mallory & Irvine Research Expedition.

—Peter Potterfield, MountainZone.com Staff

 

[Mike K.]

Did anybody catch that interesting article in National Geographic Adventure (here's a similar article from BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5076634.stm) about the comparison of vintage mountaineering apparel versus the modern stuff. Apparently, after finding Mallory's body, somebody decided to recreate the clothing he wore on his summit attempt and compare its practicality to modern climbing clothing. Guess what? It performed as good as, in some cases better than, modern synthetic insulated clothing. Good excuse to keep my outdoor gear vintage (at least some of it).

Now where can I purchase that replica Mallory clothing...especially the jacket?

 

[Mike1939]

Did anybody catch that interesting article in National Geographic Adventure (here's a similar article from BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5076634.stm) about the comparison of vintage mountaineering apparel versus the modern stuff. Apparently, after finding Mallory's body, somebody decided to recreate the clothing he wore on his summit attempt and compare its practicality to modern climbing clothing. Guess what? It performed as good as, in some cases better than, modern synthetic insulated clothing. Good excuse to keep my outdoor gear vintage (at least some of it).

Now where can I purchase that replica Mallory clothing...especially the jacket?

I saw a version of this article in Backpacker Magazine. Funny I had just dug it out of a stack of magazines last night and was boring my wife with the details of Mallory's jacket and plus fours. Before reading the article I had always assumed his outer garments were wool. Makes more sense that they were a wind and water resistant gabardine.

I must say I would also like a replica of the Mallory climbing suit.

 

[Cobden]

Ammo boots are the boots issued to British soldiers and marines during the World Wars. I'm not sure when they were first used or when they stopped for that matter. You can see them at Whatpriceglory.com. They have the WW1 as well as the WW2 versions. Enjoy your new cap.

Toe capped ammo boots were introduced theorectically to all ranks in 1922, although I have seen them earlier, probably provate purchase or unit issue; they are still worn by the Guards on parade, apparently, but they have tendency to bull and burn the entire boots, as opposed to the toe cap and heel which was usually the case, and the callump the bejesus out of them - I've seen pairs with an inch sole!

Officers have worn toe capped ankle boots (usually without hobnails) since 1895, both black (rifle regiment officers) and brown (everyone else)

 

[Kodiak]

Cobden- any idea where to find any other than WPG? My foot is too small for their sizes, I'm afraid.

Once again (as is so often true in this thread) it stinks to be a little guy.

 

[Duck]

I would like to find some cap-toe boots in a narrow width. WPG says their's are wide

 

[Mojave Jack]

My summer gear list:
Pantropic hat from REI
Safari shirt from Cabelas
Khaki Drill shorts from WPG
wool socks
Danner lite hiker boots
Swiss rucksack

Carried in rucksack on a all day adventure
Army issue henley sweater
Belted bush jacket from WPG
wool cap
water bottle
trail snacks
!st aid kit
10 essentials

My next priority is to get some proper boots. I was thinking of Ammo boots. The British army marched all over the world wearing them, yet how would they be on a 6 mile mile hike in mountainous terrain? What are the rubber soled options for 1930's style boots? Any advice?

Mike, how do you like the Pantropic? I am still in search of a good straw field hat, and the details on that seem to fit my criteria. Is it stiff, or does it flex in moderate wind? How do you find the sizing? Does the brim snap down all the way around, or is it best worn like a fedora?

On the hobnail issue, while they are great in the field you'll not make any friends wearing them inside, either on carpet, wood, or on tile! Owners of wood floors, in particular, may chuck you out on your backside. They can be downright dangerous on tile and smooth cement surfaces, too, due to slipping. If the steel can't bite into the surface, you'll end up sliding.

 

[skbellis]

Smaller Ammo Boots

If you are in the US and looking for smaller sized Ammo Boots I would try Castle Keep ( www.reenact.com ). Ernie Klapmeier (the owner) usually has a selection of surplused Guards Boots in different sizes. These are the ones with the leather soles, and they are government issue so the quality is much better than any reproduction.

Cheers,

---Scott

 

[Cobden]

Small sized ammo boots are often on UK ebay, although try and get unissued ones as opposed to uber bulled second hand guards boots - the guards ones don't last as long and look terrible, TBPH. Ammo boots aren't made in "half" sizes, so if you are, say, 9 1/2 you need a ten. They also come in three widths, small, medium and large, however, small is very narrow indeed. Unissued ones often don't have any hobnails applied (but may have toe and heel plates)

 

[Mike1939]

Mike, how do you like the Pantropic? I am still in search of a good straw field hat, and the details on that seem to fit my criteria. Is it stiff, or does it flex in moderate wind? How do you find the sizing? Does the brim snap down all the way around, or is it best worn like a fedora?

I'm quite pleased with my Pantropic so far, have to see how it holds up through the long hot summer. It's the kind of hat thats more flexable than stiff. Unlike my Dobbs straw fedora there's no snap to the brim at all. The brim can be formed into your prefered style by playing around with it a bit. Its lightweight and well ventilated and I had no complaints with the sizing. I got the XL for my enormous 71/2 hat size. I would have prefered a leather sweatband to cotton, but for the price its not a bad field hat.

 

[BellyTank]

Mallory's Gear-

Here is an accurate replication of Mallory's Everest gear-

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[Mike1939]

Wow BT thats an amazing collection! :eusa_clap I must say I enjoyed your previous post on alpine gear as well. I've been thinking about getting togeather some alpine gear for the mountains this summer, keeping the safari styles for the lower elevations. Although it can be hot as Hades at 6000 feet it doesn't usually stay that way for long.