I can't remember for sure if WhitneyFan and I have ever talked about "Flattop" before but by his post I knew what he was talking about. Flattop is "the most hiked peak in Alaska". It is the typical tourist hike and very crowded in the summer and located only 15-20 minute drive from almost anywhere in Anchorage. The last part of the hike requires relatively easy scrambling up boulders in the summer. In the winter, this section is a bit dicey. Although I use Flattop as a training run in the summer (usually up a harder route), for regular hiking most would rather avoid the big crowds.
For most of my hikes I use my summer Asolo and strap on the Katoohlas in the winter. The new La Sportivas are allowing me to take it a bit further and really are amazing. I have a friend who uses them for everything---even in the summer.
