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

[msaenz at mve-architects.com (Mike Saenz)]

I always find this discussion fascinating, in that, the shear number of
remedies that are shared almost exceed the number of "sharers" on The
List!

So now here's my "This works for me":

I don't get blisters. Never. Or at least never while hiking (I did get a
nasty blister playing tennis in Palm Springs during the summer while
wearing non-court shoes). I've been backpacking since I was 11 years old
(and we'll just leave it that I'm a bit older now, thank you very much).
AND- I wear boots, not trail runners. I've not thru-hiked, but I have
done consecutive 20+ milers, have hike the PCT desert as far as
Idyllwild and have spent weeks on trail...and finished the days with
tired, but not sore feet.
My latest pair of boots (second pair, same make/model) are Montrail
Torre GTX's. When fitting for new boots, these were quite noticeably the
most comfortable boots in REI for me. With this one exception (and
here's the only advice I can give that you may benefit from): When I
fitted the Montrails, there was a pressure point on the top of my feet
that I knew would be a problem if I snugged the boots up and walked more
than 2-3 miles in them. The gal who was working with me at REI showed me
how to re-route the laces to miss crossing just over the pressure point,
lace into the loops just above the last and resume crossing up the boot.
This created a pad of boot tongue that had no lacing crossing over and
relieved the pressure point while maintaining proper placement of heel
and toe. Simple as that.

Now that I'm writing this, I notice Yogi giving similar advice on
lacing...

4 more days till my Rae Lakes Loop trip and there's still 2 more
openings on the permit!!!!
Invitation still stands for anyone on The List who wants to join up.
Just meet up with us at the Cedar Grove trailhead on Sunday morning!
(Gonna find that bear who's popping BearVaults and tell him to STOP!)
I've got JMT-on-the-brain!

Woo-Hooooooo!

Michael Saenz, Associate Partner
McLarand    Vasquez    Emsiek   &   Partners,   Inc.
A r c h i t e c t u r e  |  P l a n n i n g  |  I n t e r i o r s
MVE       MVE    Institutional       MVP    International
w  w  w   .   m  v  e   -   a  r  c  h  i  t  e  c  t  s   .   c  o m

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Maggie
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 3:41 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [BULK] - [pct-l] Desperately need help for "Delicate Princess
Foot Syndrome"



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.





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