[pct-l] PCT Barefoot

Paul Mitchell bluebrain at bluebrain.ca
Fri Dec 11 20:03:46 CST 2009 

Good advice, and interesting story, thanks Matt.

It's pretty cold here, so hard to start practicing outdoors, but looking
forward to trying the Five Fingers soon.  Could be an interesting
compromise.

Cheers,
P178

-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Thyer [mailto:matt_thyer at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 5:55 PM
To: 'Paul Mitchell'; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: RE: [pct-l] PCT Barefoot

Paul,

You'll get that from time to time even if you only do it from time to time.
Can't really be helped, but if you figure out how to try it and it works for
you then you'll quickly learn how strong your body can actually be.  I
started BF this year because of an injury which required surgeries about a
decade ago.  The idea was to build up foot strength through conditioning and
eventually just ballooned into a near full time mode of travel.  It worked
and over the course of the summer, despite my work schedule, I ran more
mileage than I used to before my foot problems and surgery. 

Given what I've learned I'd say the only thing you need to listen to
regardless of shod or unshod travel status is your own body.

MT

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Paul Mitchell
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 5:37 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT Barefoot

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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