| Mt Mera is the highest of the "trekking peaks" in | | | | waterproof and rigid to accept crampons coupled |
| Nepal. These are mountains that are designated for | | | | with a warm, soft inner boot made of insulating |
| climbing by people who may not have extensive | | | | foam. The reason for using a double boot is two-fold. |
| technical climbing experience. Moreover, in a bid to | | | | The first is that it provides a great deal of warmth |
| encourage tourism the government charges a far | | | | and insulation. The second is that because you can |
| lower fee for permits to climb these mountains than | | | | remove your inner boot you can allow it to dry out |
| it does for some of the higher and more famous | | | | at night as it will become soaked with perspiration |
| peaks such as Mt Everest. | | | | during the day. |
| Make no mistake, however, that these mountains are | | | | In my expedition to Mera I in fact used a simple pair |
| easy. Mt Mera rises about 6,500 meters above sea | | | | of fabric boots with a waterproof liner all the way up |
| level. At this altitude the air is thin and the risk of | | | | to 5,800 meters in altitude. These boots were quite |
| altitude sickness is high. Moreover at this altitude the | | | | warm enough when worn over a double pair of |
| weather is cold and unpredictable so climbers need to | | | | socks (a thin inner liner made of polypropylene and a |
| ensure that they are properly equipped and in peak | | | | thick outer sock made of wool). Yet once I passed |
| physical condition. Despite its classification as a | | | | my high camp and had to start breaking trail through |
| "trekking peak", Mt Mera should not be | | | | deep snow I needed a pair of completely waterproof |
| underestimated. | | | | boots with solid gaiters to keep the snow out of |
| An essential element of preparation is choosing the | | | | them. Even with those warm boots and two pairs of |
| right footwear. At this altitude climbers will be | | | | socks my feet felt frozen by the end of the day. I |
| exposed to temperatures that are many degrees | | | | did not get frost bite, but feel that I almost certainly |
| below freezing, even in the climbing season just after | | | | would have without such warm boots. |
| the monsoon rains have ended and before the onset | | | | In short, on the approach to Mera, a pair of trekking |
| of winter. These conditions mean it is prudent to | | | | shoes or ordinary hiking boots is fine, but once you |
| have a really good pair of warm boots for this | | | | pass over the glacier just below Mera and move on |
| expedition. Most people who climb Mt Mera (or Mera | | | | to your high camp you need to have well insulated |
| Peak, as it is sometimes known) use double-plastic | | | | and protective boots to keep your feet warm and |
| boots. These consist of a sturdy plastic outer that is | | | | safe. |