HS, I'm kinda cheap, and try to get by with what I have. If those
Salomon X Ultra Mid II GTX have worked for you, and they are still waterproof like they claim, I think I would just go with those. Take extra socks to change into if your feet get wet.
I have hiked a number of mountains where my crampons have really helped. I've always used my hiking boots. The strap-ons work quite satisfactorily for anything as steep as Whitney has to offer. Now, if you are doing some serious steep or nearly vertical ice climbing, these would NOT work. But for hiking places like Whitney, they work just fine.
I would spend my money on a good pair of
strap-on crampons and some
gaiters.An ice axe (and some knowledge about using it) is highly recommended.
You might be able to rent the crampons and gaiters at Elevation in Lone Pine. I don't think they rent the axe.
