[pct-l] PCT Barefoot

[Paul Mitchell]

I see the PCT-L is as respectful and constructive as ever.  ;-)

The PCT features hot ground, hard frozen snow, sharp rocks, and it's very,
very long - obvious significant challenges to unshod feet, and the reasons
I'm seeking advice from those who may have tried it.  I doubt it's realistic
for me to be able to take it on barefoot next year, I have the added
challenge of poor vision to make navigating sharp obstacles more
challenging, but the arguments for barefoot travel are compelling and it's
certainly an idea that is worth investigating.

- P178

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Stephen Adams
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 5:08 PM
To: ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT Barefoot

Oh come on Ned, let's meet up on Muir Pass and see how he's doin when he
comes thru...and if he aint wearin shoes by then...???   Nothing like dry
cracked feet to make wakin up in the wee hours an exciting thing.  Ever
burned your feet on hot ground?  I have a few times after surfing in the
summers.  Tales a few days to enjoy walking again.  And nothing like
barefeet on icy snow, or better yet, the challenge level on big sun cups
goes way up on skins.  Don't really need gaitors either.  And hopefully our
barefoot enthusiast wont have an allergic reaction to all the mule crap
ground into all the trail dirt.  Seen it on sensitive folk.  But lets's not
be hasty in suggesting our man is "Crazy".  Lots of folks get around pretty
well barefooted.  Don't know that they are dealing with crushed rock
hammered out on the trail in certain areas by trail crew.  Granted, most of
this will be under snow in June, but some of it will have to be walked on.
THe north sides of Glen and Mather 
 Passes come imediately to mind, but there are others rough sections I'm
sure in 2500 miles.  But hey, there just feet.  You can always walk on your
hands right?        
On Dec 11, 2009, at 9:19 AM, <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com> wrote:

> Personally, I think this idea is crazy!
> 
> Mtnned
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Austin Williams" <austinwilliams123 at gmail.com>
> To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 6:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT Barefoot
> 
> 
>> I love the idea.  I think I've heard of a couple of women who hiked the
AT
>> barefoot.  I'm worried about your feet in the desert sections, and in the
>> few lava-rock sections.  You may consider taking some moccasins with you 
>> for
>> those areas.
>> 
>> Also, having done a SMALL amoount of hiking barefoot, I'd highly
reccomend
>> doing lots of barefoot hiking before the PCT to toughen your feet up.  At
>> first, you'll need a lot of time to heal in between barefoot hikes.  If 
>> you
>> don't toughen up before the hike, you'll have to take lots of zero days
>> early in your trip to heal.
>> 
>> I think this is totally doable though.  I think I'll do some barefoot 
>> hiking
>> this summer.  Neat idea.
>> 
>> -Austin
>> 
>> On Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 5:44 PM, Paul Mitchell 
>> <bluebrain at bluebrain.ca>wrote:
>> 
>>> Hello All
>>> 
>>> Does anybody have any first or second hand stories of hiking the PCT
>>> barefoot?  I read in an early journal this past season about one guy who
>>> was
>>> trying it this year, but haven't been able to find anything on how that
>>> worked out.  I've heard of at least a couple others.  I'm giving it some
>>> consideration after a bunch of inspiring reading on the subject & would
>>> love
>>> to pick the brain of someone who has actually done it or at least tried.
>>> 
>>> Cheers,
>>> - Potential 178
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Pct-l mailing list
>>> Pct-l at backcountry.net
>>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>> 
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> 
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