[pct-l] frostbite?

[m.karon@xxxxxxxxx (Marshall Karon)]

First, stop worrying about frostbite and icy cold feet in the Sierras. Yes
there is snow, you probably will do some potholing, yes there are streams -
but, normally the sun is out, it is hot, and you, your feet, your shoes,
your socks dry fast. Just keep a dry pair of socks for the evening.

In northern Washington I did try the waterproof type socks with trail shoes.
No blister problems. But, they do take extra room in your shoes, so you need
a really big shoe. And that is a problem because you don't need them all the
time so the shoes will then be too big. That means carrying heavier socks. I
also found that because my shoes weren't large enough, I couldn't put on a
heavy enough sock underneath to keep warm. But, they did work. My feet were
dry - but still cold.

So, were I to do it again: I would get a much larger and wider shoe with a
heavier inner sock, and then the waterproof sock. But, only in northern
Washington.

Still, no frostbite.

Marshall Karon
Portland, OR
m.karon@attbi.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Heidi Clark" <clarkh@ohsu.edu>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>; <natgold@ufl.edu>
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 7:28 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] frostbite?


> I was going to ask the same question, especially if it's a high snow year
with lots of postholing... seems like your feet would get awfully cold.
>
> Has anyone tried waterproof socks in a combination with trail shoes?
Sealskinz or goretex brand?  I've never tried them, but they look like they
might cause blisters.
>
> Heidi
>
> >>> Nathan Goldfarb <natgold@ufl.edu> 02/15/03 06:59 AM >>>
> Thanks for all the help, so far...but, here's a stupid question?
>
> I don't have experience with snow travel and having constantly wet feet,
> as will probably be the case on our June JMT hike.  (We are counting
> down the weeks!) Everyone has suggested a non-waterproof shoe for quick
> dry reasons.
>
> When your feet are cold and wet all day, how do you avoid frost-bite?
>  When you put on dry socks in a saturated shoe, don't they just get wet?
>
> On my winter hikes in the Appalachians (Tempts: lo's 20's highs 40's),
> on snow dusted terrain, wearing SmartWool trekking socks in Vasque
> Clarions GTX, my feet are often cold and numb.  So, I'm just wondering a
> lighter, non-waterproof shoe (Lowa Tempest Lo) plays out on the JMT in
> June.  Or, are numb feet just part of the deal...Either way, we are there!
>
> THanks,
> Nate "GnomeHome" G.
>
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