boots: buy Lowa
http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/catalog.cfm?category=2, look at the Baffin, Banff, Tibet or the sheep hunter, or try meindl
http://www.cabelas.com/products/Cpod0015004.jsp - I own both, and for the money, those meidl’s can not be beat, you can wear them all day hiking or walking or just sitting around they are awesome. I would buy the Lowa’s if you plan to summit Denali. .
I agree with your assessment of the old days, but today I can go for 10 days solo, without a resupply and that includes a 10 pound gun, ammo, extra knife, and saw and it's all on my back.
Id much rather have all my new lightweight gear than go back to external frames with optis stoves and poor sleeping bags.. . . There now are tents made by Kifaru that are supper light weight, come in green and are bombproof!
http://www.kifaru.net/ptrp_annex.htmhttp://www.kifaru.net/TIPI.HTMYou need to look around there are lots of options now, but the nostalgia is not the same for sure!
I also don’t miss white gas... I carry a burner and heat shield and gas together with my cook outfit. It's all titanium and so light and compact it can fit anywhere.
Anyhow, I hear what you’re saying, but I love the new lightweight materials now available. Way better than the bulky and heavy stuff I used to have to lug around. . .
