[pct-l] Brooks Cascadias

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good afternoon, Steven,

First, I make every effort to carry as little weight on a long hike as I
can justify; meaning by base weight is usually around 8 lbs. with perhaps
10 lbs. through the Sierra where a bear ‘can and perhaps an ice axe and
traction aids may be run up the total.

Add consumables – food and water -- to that base weight and the total may
be more than I like.  One of my heaviest total loads was departing the town
of Mojave for about 150 miles across dry country to Kennedy Meadows.
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=277060

Through the Sierra there may be more food and gear weight , but water is
abundant so little will have to be packed.

Typically along the trail my pack weighs less than 20 lbs. but in practice
heavy bodies and heavy pack loads do not mean heavy boots are required.  The
force of a step is straight into the heal and subsequently forward to the
forefoot.  Provided there is adequate cushioning in the shoe’s heel cup,
and provided the insoles have appropriate support for whatever one’s feet
need, a sneaker will provide equal “support” and likely far better
cushioning than a relatively stiff-soled boot.

Generally, more pack weight means slower progress; which means more days
between resupply; which means several days more food, etc.  Less weight
means faster, longer hiking days and less impact on bone joints,
particularly the knees and hips.

Enjoy your planning,

Steel-eye

-Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09/


On Thu, May 17, 2012 at 2:38 PM, Steven M. Ratner <smr at calelderfirm.com>wrote:

> How much weight can you carry with lightweight shoes/sneakers on?
>
> Steven M. Ratner
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> smr at calelderfirm.com
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> On Thu, May 17, 2012 at 2:31 PM, Sir Mixalot <atetuna at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Shoes are appropriate on the PCT throughout the thru hiking season.
> >
> > Chuck said it pretty well.  I'll just add that I have many high end
> hiking
> > boots.  I won't wear them on the PCT though.  My feet are much more
> > comfortable in trail running sneakers.  I go a lot faster and further
> with
> > them too.  The last time I wore boots in the mountains was a couple
> winters
> > ago when I took the tram up Mt San Jacinto with my family.  Since I
> > wouldn't be walking enough to keep my feet warm or get them sweaty, boots
> > were the appropriate footwear.
> >
> > On Wed, May 16, 2012 at 4:57 PM, Catherine Ford <
> > ceford.nhighlands at gmail.com
> > > wrote:
> >
> > > Greetings Everyone!
> > >
> > > I'm a newbie hiker and am working my way up to being a backpacker.
> When I
> > > realized that Mango's question about Brooks Cascadias was regarding a
> > shoe
> > > rather than a boot I was a bit confused. For hiking, don't you "need"
> > > hiking boots? When are shoes appropriate? I appreciate any
> clarification
> > > you can provide.
> > >
> > > Have a Great Day!
> > >
> > > Cathy!
> > >
> > > Catherine Ford
> > > Something to think about: "Millions saw an apple fall. Only Newton
> asked
> > > why."
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