Outfitter in Portland

Hi All,
This seems like a silly question, they cannot be hard to find... but I just moved to Portland and need a good mountain outfitter. I am going on a NOLS semester in Alaska this summer (leaving June 10th) and I desperately need to get some heavyweight backpacking/light mountaineering boots on. I've been toying with La Sportiva Makalus, Scarpa Bordo M3, Lowa Banff, Asolo 535, but cannot seem to get the right one. The Scarpa has been the closest so far.
Any help as to where I can find such boots in the Portland area would be great.

I do not know of many shops in that area, but you could look at a website and get it shipped to you. For example there is gear-zone.com or snowandrock.com will have what ou are looking for.

REI likely has a store in Portland, I would check there. If their store does not have the particular model you are looking for they can speical order them. On my NOLS trip everyone rented boots from NOLS, we did not have to bring our own. That may also be an option for you.

I assume you mean Portland, Oregon? (As a Mainer I have to ask.)

If so, check out Oregon Mountain Community at 2975 NE Sandy Blvd and online at http://www.e-omc.com/. I believe they carry all the brands you mentioned.

Hi Carl -

Great to hear you're headed to Alaska. I work for the Mazamas - a Portland, OR based climbing & hiking education organization & thought I'd give you some tips. Here are a few stores in Portland that you can check out:

Climb Max Mountaineering (on NE 28th & Sandy)
The Mountain Shop (on NE 20th & Broadway)
OMC (just a block up Sandy)
REI (downtown in the Pearl)
US Outdoor Store (on Broadway & Ash downtown)

If you need any more help or advice feel free to check out our website www.mazamas.org or come and visit our new Mountaineering Center at SE 43rd & Stark.

Thanks,

Lee

Try the Mountain Shop on Broadway in Portland, a better selection than REI and more knowledgable staff trained in proper fitting

I took a Ice climbing course a few years ago. I used Timerline guiding service. They have several different make of boots to rent. I had rented a pair of La Sportiva and they were very comfortable. I am sure that they would let you try on the different makes of boot that they have in inventory. Phone number is 541-312-9242...

As Alan has mentioned, NOLS rents gear also, and the insulated cold weather boots are expensive. I would reccomend not to order from the internet, for you would want to try the boots on and walk around in them a little bit to see how they fit you. If you find yourself purchasing over the internet, check out mountian gear.com