The Man and I went for a 12 to 15 mile hike today, depending on whether you believe the trail signs or the Sierra Club hike list. The Man wanted to see how his sprained ankle was healing. It seemed like quite an ambitious thing to do.
The trail was along a creek to an old historic cabin. The trail itself was mostly flat. The Man's sprained ankle seems to have the most trouble going up hill, so this flat trail was a decent choice for him to make. But the lengthy miles and the rocks in the creeks did seem to offer quite a big challenge.
He made it, though. He was struggling toward the end but he appeared to be very happy he has healed enough to accomplish the hike.
I enjoyed the hike very much. I was surprised the weather was so nice. I expected it to be very hot but it was mild. There were still wildflowers in bloom so I took lots of pictures. The water in the creek felt good to walk in.
I wore my Chacos the whole way. On the way to the cabin I went sockless and walked through all the creeks. There was some chafing. At the cabin I put bandaids on the sore spots and on the way back I tried to rock hop over the water to keep my feet dry. That worked pretty well, but I missed a spot with the bandaids and was eventually rubbed quite raw. At the last creek crossing I put my socks on and walked the final mile. I wished I could wear socks the whole way, but the foxtails make it quite impossible.
During the final mile I felt like I could walk all day. I'm becoming a convert to hiking in sandals. I thought my toes would have more trauma but I have never hit my toes on anything. I feel so safe now I don't even flinch at the rocks on the trail. Aside from the chafing, the only problem wearing sandals for hiking is when foxtails get between my toes.
When I reached the car I sat in a sliver of shade beside the car and waited for The Man to arrive. The creek burbled below and the stellar jays yelled at each other in the sycamore trees. I felt so content. It is good to just walk and do nothing more. There are no wants, there is only contentment. I felt I could have set up my camp and gotten up to do it again tomorrow. Sadly, I have to go to work instead.
I've hiked thousands of miles in Chaco and not once have I stubbed my toe.
ReplyDeleteI think you will find them much more comfortable with socks. Neoprene socks when it's cold.
The other pair of shoes I have been wearing is New Balance 817's in Men's 4E paired with New Balance Pressure Relief insoles with a metatarsal rise.(not all the pressure relief insoles have the metatarsal rise) 817's have a deep wide toe box and a narrow heel. I have been wearing the 816 and then the 817's since 2004.
They are nice but not really good traction in snow. At home I screw sheet metal screws in them for traction in snow. I tried doing that for the Sierras one year but the screws made them slipperier on rocks.
Though once on the Appalachian I broke trail for 12 miles through 6 inches of new snow wearing my Chacos and neoprene socks, I was worried and uncomfortable the whole way. It's hard to hike when your feet get really cold.
Though it is hard to except carrying the extra weight of having 2 pairs of shoes, I know that in the end I get a lot more miles and have a lot better time if I can keep my feet happy.
I'm still looking for the perfect shoe.
The chafing went away when I put on the socks. If I had worn the socks all day, however, they would have been full of foxtails which would really hurt and ruin my socks. I need some way to keep the foxtails out.
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