Hi,
thanks for all the good info, good will and suggestions.
My foot size is 8 which I think is Euro 42 but I'd have to check what size I'd need. Euro 45 is 10.5-11.
Agree on high postage rates from SthAm to Oz. To do a 'hit and run' ascent is sooo different from incorporating it into an extended backpacking trip where carrying highly specific gear (for just a small part of the trip) is a pain in the ...
I take the note about frostbite seriously and I really appreciate your frostbite experience
johnrs (Hope it was not serious.) I would only need the boots for one day for the summit ascent (from 5800-6800m). It is Ojos del Salado - no2 in SthAm - and the last 30m is a steep scramble up rock with ropes (which I may not do). But absolutely definitely crampons.
Gaiters - or rather, really good gaiters - would be a possibility but again I take on board the info about loss of heat from the sole (which maybe critical). Again, it's kind of hard to know what to expect until you're there and also it's dependent on conditions at the time. I guess this is all part of wanting to do something as extreme as 6800m!
Previously have used Oboz Tamarack shoes in all hi-alt hikes (Andes/Himalayas). For Cerro Toco - a two hour 'walk' to 5600m out of San Pedro de Atacama - there was some patches of snow where crampons or 'snow cleats' could have been handy. But this winter I want to try the Oboz out in snow for longer periods to see what happens. Regardless pre-SthAm I'll be getting new footwear (boots or shoes? - not sure yet).
Unfamiliar with Gear Freaks - there a few sites it seems. Do you have a link or further info please
Moondog55?
La Sportiva G2 are AUD1300 at Bogong. It's a lot for just one day's use! Even their 'cheap' boots still are around AUD1000. And at my age (66) I'm not likely to be using them for decades to come!
While gear hire (in Santiago or Mendoza) is a possibility for many items, tour operators seem to be some reluctant when it comes to mountain boots as it's hard to know if their insulation has been compromised. And when you find out it has been ... frostbite?
I am mainly been interested in this to see what effect the altitude would have on my body (and whether this old fart can actually do it). But all the (numerous) ducks would have to line up to succeed and this might just be one duck too many!