[pct-l] PCT Barefoot

Thu Dec 10 23:15:20 CST 2009

Hi Elevator

Nice to hear from you!  Hope you’re well.  Just to forewarn, this reply got a little long-winded.

I don’t mind the honest opinion.  I certainly understand your concerns, and share them.  My interest in the subject is 100% genuine, certainly not intended to stir things up – though I do recall how easy that is to do on this forum.  ;-)  

I came across some info about bare footing and it peaked my interest, particularly once I started reading about the destructive impact of shoes on the feet, knees, etc.  I recalled talk at the Saufleys about a family of hikers that came through barefoot a few years ago.  The initial story I read was about a marathon runner who finally discovered barefoot running solved the knee problems that a couple decades and dozens of pairs of shoes had not resolved.  I met a guy at the MEC here in Vic who knows someone who apparently thru-hiked barefoot.  That and the more detailed reading gave me a feeling that it could be very beneficial, but of course I’m aware the PCT has some serious temperature and terrain extremes that could pose some challenges – so that’s why I’m really wanting to hear from one of the few people who has actually hiked it barefoot.  

My body held up more or less fine on my last two attempts.  I didn’t complete the trail each time for various reasons, but they weren’t physical, with the exception of a shin-splint which I believe I invited by running a few miles downhill.  The main change I’ll be making this time around will be to actually start with a schedule in mind and budget time and money.  A few days off for a shin-splint wouldn’t have been a problem if I wasn’t already far behind the pack thanks to costly side-trips a-plenty.  ;-)  Too much fun and indulgence was my downfall both times, and possibly not close enough attention to nutrition.  Oh and pre-hike conditioning, but I digress.

I’ve lowered my weight each time, hiked California happily in sandals last time & that was far better for me than shoes.  I’m not looking to try bare foot hiking to solve a past problem, though my feet have always been flat, it just seems like something that “could” be beneficial – that is, if the specific challenges of the PCT aren’t too much.  I might not have enough time to get my feet “trained” in time for April … or maybe I do, the posters on bare footing forums seem to agree that it only takes a few months to fully strengthen up.  The solution might be a combination of bare footing and minimal foot protection like Vibram FiveFingers.  

I’m inclined to think that this is something we might see more off as time goes on.  Maybe it seems a little extreme now, but consider how many other hiking trends which are common now seemed crazy at first.  Or, perhaps the cold, hot, hard and sharp nature of the PCT path is too much.  I’m certainly thinking hard as well about the potential for a barefoot injury to end a hike.   Who knows though, maybe all the stress fractures and other stress injuries that ended other people’s hikes wouldn’t have happened without shoes?  One of the logics behind barefoot hiking is that our feet, when in contact with the grown, give us information that we then use to walk in ways that are healthier.  That’s how we evolved and there’s compelling evidence that those of us that do it now are better off for it.

I’m going on too long, but bottom line is I’m not jumping without looking – not saying I’m going to do it for sure, but there are some compelling arguments that make it an interesting idea.  There’s got to be a barefoot pro out there who can shed some light.  :-)

I’ll dig up some of the interesting articles I’ve read and post them a little later for anyone who is interested.

Cheers,
- Potential178

From: jeff.singewald at comcast.net [mailto:jeff.singewald at comcast.net] 
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 8:11 PM
To: Paul Mitchell
Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT Barefoot

Paul,

I hope you don't think this is a slam reply.  But, given this will be your 3rd attempt at a thru-hike, why would think this would give you a better shot to finally complete your goal to thru-hike the PCT.

I will be honest, if I didn't know you a bit, I would have considered this email a troll mail to drum up a crazy discussion.  The PCT is definitely not the AT and I honestly believe that you would be in for a rude awakening.  In addition to the intense heat of the trail tread, there are rocks and thorns and such that are sure to cause serious issues and put your hike in jeopardy.  And, should you encounter snow in the High Sierra you are putting yourself at risk.  I can say in 2006, while walking through miles of snow, even with shoes the postholing through snow cut up my ankles and legs to the point that by the time I reached Tahoe, my ankles and legs had some very serious road rash.  Your feet are sure to get chewed up big time.

I wish you the best of luck, but it is just my opinion that this is not a good plan.

Take care,

Elevator

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Mitchell" <bluebrain at bluebrain.ca>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 6:18:05 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT Barefoot

There's a fair bit of info online about barefoot hiking and running in
general.  It's quite compelling and after a couple hours of research it
seemed pretty obvious to me that if a person could make it work for
themselves (i.e. strengthen their feet up with barefoot training) that it
would be the way to go.  There are a number of benefits but the most
important one to me is the natural strengthening of the foot muscles to form
a self supported arch (which is something the AT hiking barefoot sisters
mentioned as well), and in general a return to more natural walking which
effects everything from the feet up (knees, hips, etc).  I've read from some
barefoot hikers that after a full day of barefoot hiking their feet feel
good, something they had never experienced when shod.  Having feet feel good
at the end of a hiking day seemed like an interest idea!

So, plenty of introductory information out there, but not much (that I could
find) about the specifics of the PCT.  I.e. hot desert, cold snow, stream
crossings, mosquitoes, and just in general long distance bare footing.

I'm also interested in the barefoot alternatives like the Vibram Five
Fingers, wondering if anybody has hiked in those.

Cheers,
- Potential178

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