[pct-l] foot ware

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Hey, Mango!

Let me add that our boots used between KM and the MTR in the months of May 
and June when there was six diminishing to two feet of snow nearly 
everywhere above 9,000 feet did exceptionally well, not only for certainty 
of footing but in staying dry and keeping our feet dry, especially when 
there was water running everywhere!

Of course, through the shallow creek crossings (water up to mid-shin), we 
wore our heavy weight tall gaitors, which kept the water out, but on the 
sections of trail which were, literally, mini-creeks, where each footfall 
was a huge splash onto the other foot, we didn't and still the boots kept 
our feet dry.

Because the boots were maintained as needed on-trail with a waterproof 
manufacturer-supplied treatment, they never got wet enough to freeze at 
night, even when at the base of Forester when we had a zero-degree night 
where every water container froze solid.

Good comment about loosening laces of wet shoes on nights where you 
anticipate a freeze! Trying to get your feet into a stiff boot in the 
morning is sometimes challenging!



Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim & Jane Moody" <moodyjj at comcast.net>
To: "Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
Cc: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 10:19 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] foot ware


>
>
> I disagree with a portion of Diane's post about footwear in the Sierra 
> (below). Heavier boots were much preferred in the Sierra this past year, 
> which had a much higher than average snowpack. Kicking steps in trail 
> runners on a steep traverse (e.g., Mather Pass) requires a shoe that is 
> sturdy with an actual heel and firm sole, which trail runners / sneakers 
> do not have. For those who hike the Sierra when the snow is gone, then I 
> guess sneakers would suffice.
>
>
>
> The "dry out quicker" argument is also specious. This year the Sierra had 
> so many creek crossings that nobody's shoes dried out, boots or sneakers. 
> However, if they freeze overnight, then trail runners are easier to get 
> on, especially if you forget to loosen the laces on your boots.
>
>
>
> Her comments about the sandals in the desert seem like great advice, from 
> personal experience.
>
>
> Mango
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 10:08:14 AM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] foot ware
>
>
>
>
> Boots are actually a liability in the Sierras because they don't dry
> as quickly on your feet while you walk. Of course, if you're a
> traditionalist, you'll reject that assertion on some notion of
> needing protection or support or shoes that don't wear out quickly,
> or shoes that can handle the supposedly super rugged conditions
> (seemed like a regular trail to me). That's fine.
>
>
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