[pct-l] Desperately need help for "Delicate Princess Foot Syndrome"

[wayneskraft at comcast.net (Wayne Kraft)]

Go to: http://www.footworkpub.com/

On Aug 30, 2005, at 3:40 PM, Maggie wrote:

>
>
> Hi. My name is Maggie and I've been quietly lurking
> here for almost 3 years now.
>
> My dream/goal/intention is to undertake my thruhike in
> 2010, so I'm not quite at the point where PCT planning
> is at a forefront for me.
>
> I have been backpacking for 6 years now. The longest I
> have been on the trail is all of 4 days. I have yet to
> make it thru a trip without mangling my feet.
>
> I just returned early from an attempt at JMT section
> hike from Tuolumne Meadows to VVR. We were forced to
> hike out at Agnew Meadows due to what I sarcastically
> refer to as my "delicate princess feet."
>
> I have tried numerous pairs and brands of boots, both
> high and low cut; trail runners; sport sandals; socks
> and various combinations of socks; lubricating my feet
> to reduce friction; powder or antiperspirant to reduce
> moisture; moleskin; molefoam; duct tape; crazy glue...
> if it's been suggested, I've tried it.
>
> Occassionally I come across a pair of shoes with a
> sock combination that fools me into thinking I've
> solved the problem. I'll return from a few days hikes,
> or even a short overnighter with "only one" blister
> only to have the same combination reduce my feet to
> hamburger on the next outing. I can't seem to find the
> right setup for all occassions.
>
> I had my feet measured once using the Phil Oren
> system. I know that my feet are narrow even by women's
> standards. My heels are ESPECIALLY narrow-- I could
> cut ham with them. I have high arches and high insteps
> with a small boney protusion on top of my insteps that
> makes tightly lacing my boots (to properly lock in the
> heel) cut off the circulation in my feet. My feet are
> overall medium volume, but because of the high
> arch/instep it's difficult to find mid-volume shoes
> that will lace over my insteps. -- unfortunately the
> outfitter who measured my feet didn't have shoes that
> fit those requirements and has since gone out of
> business. There are currently no outfitters in my area
> that I'm aware of that I would trust on this matter
> now.
>
> Insoles have helped, but they don't help with the
> heels. Commercially available heel cups have proved to
> be a joke. Dr. Scholl's has heel pads that help
> significantly, but the adhesive isn't strong enough to
> keep them stuck in place after long term hiking.
>
> In addition to problems with blisters, long hours of
> hiking result in feeling like I have crushed all the
> bones in my feet to powder. I have ALWAYS complained
> that it feels like I don't have enough cushioning on
> the bottom of my feet-- even just walking around the
> mall.
>
> I am still supposed to be on the trail right now. I am
> absolutely heartbroken at yet another failed hike. I'm
> a step away from forking over the money for custom
> made boots-- although I'm not entirely sure where to
> have THAT done either.
>
> I would appreciate any help, suggestions and
> encouragement to get me back on the trail with happy
> feet.
>
> I've tried lightweight and traditional gear and
> footwear-- at this point I don't CARE about the "pound
> on the foot eqauls 6 on the back" equation. I don't
> care if the perfect shoes weigh 6 lbs or 6 oz, as long
> as I can make it through a hike without hobbling.
>
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> unsubscribe or change options:
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>