Snowshoes but no AT gear

*Not that there is anything wrong with that*

If you're considering trekkers and skins at/near retail, you might look around to see if you can find a used pair of alpine boot-compatible skis with skins at a comparable price, like these (no association with the seller):

www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=20272.0

That said, booting up the mountain is also fun, good for the soul, and it's free!

I've hiked up chair peak in the late spring in snowboard boots. If you can start out in the early AM when the snow is hardest then by the time you get to your destination the snow will be softening up....but it all depends on the conditions at that time because as we know, those conditions are always a changin'. I hike summer at Chinook Pass always with only the boots on my feet.

Second on the Shuksans for spring skiing w/your alpine boots.

Make him an offer (no connection to the seller, but I can't stand the thought of a person hiking up a snowy slope in tennis shoes with alpine boots and skis strapped to his back).

For God's sake just please, [size=30pt]PLEASE[/size] don't step on the skintrack!!!!!!!!!

you can also try verts - I hear top skiers and riders use them for the steep and deep

I am waiting for mine - expect they'll be great for Chinook pass when they open the road this summer