[pct-l] Re: Blisters

[Tom Rogers <tfrogers@san.rr.com>]

Dude's comments on "blisterfree" were right on.  I recently completed a
425 mile section hike from Kennedy Meadows to Echo Lake, my longest to
date.  During the final weeks before departure I tried to get in several
evening walks with loaded backpack, and did a 2 day section hike (PCT
from Hwy 74 to Idlywild) to toughen up and get a little altitude 2
weekends prior to starting.  I hiked with a partner for the first 9
days.  Although he was a strong experienced hiker and 10 years my
junior, he had not done any appreciable walking with a loaded pack in
the weeks before departure.  The result after a few days on rocky PCT
tread was he got blisters and I didn't.  The lesson is that doing your
footwork (sorry, couldn't resist) ahead of time works.
As to technique, I try to keep it simple.  I wear a pair of light,
inexpensive polyester liners (turned inside out as described in Karen's
post) and a pair of Smartwool trekking socks under mid-weight hiking
boots.  I rotate 2 sets of each and keep a 3rd set clean and dry (i.e.
only wear in camp), try to rinse a set nightly and dry hanging from my
backpack gear loops during the next day, and if they're still a little
damp when it's time to go I prefer clean and damp to dirty and damp.
Happy Trails, Tom

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