These well-worn heavy boots are the boots that Sarah Roeske wore for four seasons in the steep Chugach mountains of eastern Alaska. It was there that she earned her nickname, Sidehill Sarah.

The glaciated slopes are so steep that the only way to get around is to sidehill everywhere, for which one needs old fashioned, very stiff boots (note the thickness of the sidewalls), or you destroy your feet and ankles. Although you spend a lot of time on vegetation there are a fair number of talus slopes to cross, so gradually the tred gets worn down. These boots are pretty well toast.

Sarah and her boots out in the wilds of Alaska. There's also a reason for her bright yellow shirt, but that's another story....