[pct-l] Wet feet

[Randy_Forsland@alliedtelesyn.com (Randy Forsland)]

James writes:

>Question - does walking through streams and slushy snow in running shoes
>lead to bad problems with wet and cold feet? 

>I'd like to save time on stream fords by just plowing through, wearing
>running shoes, instead of changing between boots and Tevas, which can take
>about ten minutes per wet ford, for me. And I'd like to go lighter on the
>footwear in the Sierras, but I wonder about the wet feet syndrome. 

I, personally, have hiked in wet shoes many, many times (usually, not on purpose
)  without any adverse results. I didn't try it through snow or slush though and
I don't think that I would want to, that sounds like a good recipe for some
frozen feet.

I wore Nike Air Madas because of their light weight and quick drying capability.
I also routinely applied a good layer of petroleum jelly to my feet and toes as
part of my morning foot ritual. I found that the jelly prevents blisters between
my toes and also has the added benefit of keeping my feet comfortable while
wearing wet shoes. The Air Madas would usually be dry in an hour or two. Again,
I stress that I never hiked with wet feet in snow or slush and I always started
the day with relatively fresh, dry socks. And if I were you. I would try it
during some of your training hikes before commiting yourself to such a strategy.

Randy

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