[pct-l] swollen feet

[dude at fastmail.ca (dude)]

I have not thru-hiked, but I have done 20+ miles per day for 24 days 
from Lake Tahoe to Mt Whitney and also done 38 per day for 177 miles of 
the JMT over 5 days.  I wore running shoes on both occasions and my 
feet never swell to the point where it interfered with how my shoes 
fit.  

Perhaps I didn't go for enough days in a row, or perhaps I am unique, I 
dunno.  I can tell you that over the years of running/trail 
running/hiking, my feet have apparently "flattened out" and at age 34 I 
had to go up a 1/2 size for all my shoes.

another consideration is that almost everyone's feet will swell during 
strenuous exercise over many hours if they do not get enough 
electrolytes.  hands will swell too.  Ultra-runners have this problem 
alot.

one way to find out many things like this is to go and hike 20+ miles 
in your neighborhood before you get on the trail.  You'll find out all 
sorts of stuff that will be helpful on the trail.

good luck.

peace,
dude



> I heard that long distance hikers' feet tend to swell. This is of some
> concern to me because I was planning on buying a new pair of boots
> that I could break in before starting my hike and then having them
> mailed to me if my current pair eventually fall apart. This may not
> work so well if my feet get bigger. So I was wondering if anybody has
> anything to say about this. Would proper foot care prevent this or is
> this just what happens when you hike 20 miles a day for several
> months? Or is the info I got just plain wrong?
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> Mark
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