I began rock climbing in about 1976. Apple computer was launched that year, the median house price in the US was in the mid $40k range, and gas cost $0.59 a gallon. It was a while ago. About eight years later, the shoe company Boreal, finally made it’s new “Fire” boots (pronounced “fee-ray) available here in the Northeast. I was working at the old International Mountain Equipment shop in North Conway at the time, and let me tell you, the stampede for new “sticky” rubber was fierce. On the first day with my new shoes, I went out with my buddy Tom Callaghan and we did the second pitch of Grand Finale on Cathedral Ledge, a notorious 5.10d R traversing pitch that would have ordinarily had me wetting my pants. We cruised it, and my hero climbing days had begun. (I was always only a mediocre climber, but technology has a way of making people look better than they really are.)
Anyway, this might just look like an ancient pair of really strange shoes to you. Which is exactly what they are. But there are also people who will view this image and get all misty-eyed and nostalgic and wish they were young again.
There is no Flickr image of this shot, because it just ain’t that good.
Meta: Pentax k-3, 100mm f/2.8 macro lens at f/10, ISO 100, multiple speed lights and one beat up reflector
