[pct-l] foot and other pains questions

[scouterpete@xxxxxxxxx (pmodny)]

Gold Bond Medicated powder or even Baby Powder (talcum powder) along with
snug fitting boxer style underwear works for me


Pete Modny



----- Original Message -----
From: "David Davis" <dave@livebythepark.com>
To: "Michael Lissner" <Michael_Lissner@pitzer.edu>; <pct-l@backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] foot and other pains questions


I get what you call "mush butt" real bad.  In my experience, it's worse in
hot (sweaty) weather.  Two things help me. First, fold a sheet of DURABLE
soft paper and place between cheeks while walking (friction will hold it
there pretty well).  TP or ordinary paper (likeguidebook pages) will not
work, it just dissolves into gunky balls which makes the problem worse.
Paper towel is OK but kind of coarse.  The best I've ever used is the
military TP that comes in MRE packages.  Cloth works great too, but I don't
like to use it when hiking because it gets really nasty and disposal is a
problem.  Second, and even better is to give the area a good washing every
few hours, preferably with a moist towelette.  I find that 2 towelettes a
day will almost solve the problem and 3 definitely will.  I treat towelettes
as part of my food ration and just as important.

For the foot pain problem, check the insoles.  I find that some softer
insoles will imprint with the pattern of my feet.  In other words, the toes,
ball and heel create deep impressions causing ridges in other areas.  For
me, one ridge is always right in front of the ball causing a pain like you
describe.  I either pull out and throw away the insoles and just walk on the
hard sole of the shoe, or if possible, I carve of the ridged portions.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Lissner" <Michael_Lissner@pitzer.edu>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 6:57 AM
Subject: [pct-l] foot and other pains questions


So, I convinced my mom that she should give me some boots for christmas, and
indeed, she did. Vasque Zephyr GTX=B4s to be exact. I went and did some
serious hiking (25 miles per day or so) through some of the camino de
santiago in spain, and along the way I developed two kinds of pain. The
first, was in both of my feet, and grew progressively worse during the
development of every day. It was a pain in the ball of my feet upon pushing
off with every step. It was as if somebody had rolled over the balls of my
feet with their car, making them extremely sensitive to weight. After a full
day of packing, and getting my boots off, bending my toes downwards was
extremely freaking painful. I could barely do it (luckily that doesn=B4t ne=
ed
to be done to hike, but I was not too fond of the idea nonetheless).
Finally, in the morning of each day they were progressively worse,
exhibiting some immediate pain upon setting weight up on them. My theory is
that the shoes were doing something weird to the natural movement of my bone
structure, but I thought I would see if anybody out there had had similar
experiences with boots.
The second kind of pain was one that I believe we are all familiar with, but
that we are all rather fearful to mention thanks to that splendid american
culture that we have come to be raised in.  A friend of mine referred to it
as "mush butt," and I have come to wonder just how many other people have
come to experienced this, and if they are willing to share any solutions
they may have found for it so that experimentation is not necessary. For the
record, I am referring to that more than delightful rash that forms between
the butt cheeks on an otherwise warm and comfortable day. While we are on
the topic, has anybody read "how to shit in the woods," and if so, any
thoughts on the book? Thanks. -mike
_______________________________________________
PCT-L mailing list
PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

_______________________________________________
PCT-L mailing list
PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l