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Backyard Crags

I just read Homage #26 – The Backyard Crag in the Dec 2008 / Jan 2009 edition of Urban Climber Magazine. The article talked about how in these times of economic woe and global warming we should consider putting off the road trips and instead focus on our local crags. Justin Roth, the author, defined Backyard Crags as areas around a half an hour drive. I feel fortunate to have a number of crags that I consider Backyard Crags despite being a bit over a half an hour away. These include Massacre Rocks, Ross Park, Heise/Paramount, and Wolverine Canyon.

I keep pouring over Google Maps and talking my friend into renewing his pilots license so I can find the killer Backyard Crag to really put South East Idaho on the map. Perhaps this summer…

Resoling Shoes

On another note, I was driving to work a couple weeks ago listening to NPR. They were discussing some of the unusual things that happen when the economy is down one of which is Shoe Cobblers get a jump in business. They interviewed a cobbler who has a shop around Wall Street. The Cobbler told how everyone from Secretaries with broken heels to CEOs with $200 Italian loafers are coming to him asking if he can fix this or that.

Fast forward to last week, I was fortunate enough to be given a pair of brand spankin’ new Boreal hiking boots – about 12 years ago. I have had another pair of Vasque boots that I have worn which left these Boreals in the closet. Well the Vasques have worn out and I told myself it was time to break in the Boreal boots. After a couple weeks they were feeling pretty dang comfy. However, the midsole started cracking and the sole was delaming.

I decided I would get them repaired, despite getting them for free and being 12 years old – they were brand new. Also, having worked with footwear I knew that the mid-sole materials can break down over time – just like the foam in a crash pad. I took them to Meyers Shoe Repair in Pocatello and Jerry Meyers fixed them up for me. He noted that the boots were quality boots and to toss them would be a shame. Mr. Meyers carefully removed my old, but pristine sole. He attached a new mid-sole and then replaced the original sole. So now I am into the boots $37.00 not bad for quality footwear.

When I picked up the boots I remembered that Mr. Meyers had resoled some climbing shoes. He stated that he still does. He stocks Vibram sticky rubber and charges $24.00 for a half sole. Mr. Meyers stated that he can also fix rands for around $8.00 but that it is wise to get the shoes resoled before ruining the rand. If you want your shoes done up with some other rubber you just need to score a resole kit and take it in with your shoes – I believe he will knock down the price.

Meyers Shoe Repair has been serving Pocatello for over 25 years. They are located at 508 East Center and the phone is 233-1370.

Getting your shoes resoled is cheaper than a new pair (saves money) and reduces the crap in a landfill (saves the planet). Furthermore, having you climbing shoes resoled locally saves you money and reduces the amount of fuel used to ship them to some out of state resoler.