You know the names of some nice boots. The boots you take up the trail should match the tools and skills you plan to use to travel on top of the snow. Are you planning skis, snowshoes, crampons, other people's boot packs? (It's a little early to count on boot packs unless you have a large group to make your own.) If the snow is all blown off, boot types don't matter much. If there is snow and you don't have skills and tools to travel on top of it, you shouldn't be taking any boots up the trail. That's the time of year it is.
Hey Dale
The standard micro-spikes, 12-point crampons, non-technical axe, trekking poles will all be in my arsenal for travel - considering snow shoes dependent upon the responses I get here. I will be doing this ascent solo as well. I guess I am more so asking if anyone who has experience with winter ascent(s) on Whitney would approve of a lighter (insulated) boot like the Aequilibrium Tops/Nepals, or if I should just play it safe and go with a full-fledged double boot. Also curious on recent/current conditions because I would rather not have to hike with a full shank if a large portion of the hike doesn't even have snow.
I also plan to return shortly after for the M/R, in which case this distinction is obvious.
