Estes Park mountaineer Steve Komito presented The Evolution of Mountain Footwear in the second program of the Pioneers of the Peaks monthly series hosted by the Estes Park Museum and the Estes Valley Library.

For several decades, a small group of men and women made history exploring and ascending the summits surrounding the Estes Valley. In 2013 and 2014, the Estes Park Museum and the Estes Valley Library gathered their inspiring stories. Through June, a monthly series will feature special guests from among the 18 local climbers and mountaineers who were interviewed for the Estes Valley Mountaineering Oral History Project. These monthly talks will be held at the Estes Park Museum as a special tie-in with the Museum’s “Climb On!” exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Steve Komito has spent 43 years in the Estes Park devoting his career to the repair and maintenance of mountain footwear, while keeping with his passion for mountain sports including hiking, climbing, and skiing. According to his own words his occupation is "helping to keep boots on the ground or on slippery slopes and unlevel playing fields."

Komito's presentation covered the following topics:
1) Tough as Nails - Mountain foot wear of the early days
2) My Sole Rejoiceth - The Vibram victory
3) The British Invasion - Foreign visitors introduce new footwear and techniques
4) Stranger than Friction - Sticky rubber grips the world
5) Hidebound no Longer - New materials and methods

Komito’s contribution to the design and execution of the Museum's Climb On! exhibit was key. Admission to the gallery is free and the exhibition will be on until the 4th of October.