Alright, This may be an incredibly random inquisition, but has anyone out there ever hiked mountains barefoot? I saw someone coming down the North side of Saddleback in sandals once, and I guess that some people do that with sandals that have lots of grip. The main reason I ask is because I like being barefoot and happen to have a huge blister on my right heel at the moment, with plans to do Street and Nye this Sunday. I'll probably bandage the heck out of it but I'm curious now.
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while hiking the long trail this summer , i came across a guy named (Tyvek)www.thelongwalkhome.org
he was hiking the entire AT barefoot, when i saw him his feet were in pretty rough shape,and very dirty -
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I've heard of it. There's people in sneakers and sandals. To each their own. I know I couldn't do certain sections of the mountains without proper support and traction, but others may be more 'nimble' and able to scurry up just fine. Taking no chances, I haven't tried sneakers or barefoot myself.
"HIKING BAREFOOT causes virtually no trail erosion since a bare foot makes much less of an imprint than a booted foot."
I can agree with this.Comment
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Isn't Pete Hickey a part-time barefooter? There's a guy who's seen a couple mountains
Sometimes I think better with my head in the clouds...Comment
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I hiked bald mountain in bennington (AKA the white rocks) in sandals yesterday after forgeting my hiking boots at home, but thats a short climb (3 hours round trip). It was a spur of the moment sort of decision. Even then I was regreting it, especially on the rocky sections. I'll stick with shoes from now on. The main problem was lack of ankle support, and rocks getting in the sandal. if anything, well conditioned bare feet might be better than sandals. I found myself stepping as if I had boots on, but finding no support. At least in bare feet there is a sort of instinctive caution in my steps, and no slipping around inside the sandal. if you do try it, better bring some backup footware just in case you change your mindHe found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange visions of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams.Comment
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yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I was planning and bringing my boots along for the hike down because there'll be less rubbing on the heel when going downhill.Comment
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From a personal point of view the only SANE reason I could see for hiking a mountain (or any other place for that matter) barefoot would be that I lost my boots on the trail (which is one of my top priorites not to do ).
Only other reason I could see would be the belief that I had to prove something to somebody or to myself.
At best it's uncomfortable, at worse it's dangerous. And if you get injured or so sore that you can't walk, then you have required Rangers or SAR teams time and work that could be better utilized."If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." Lyndon B. JohnsonComment
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I once saw a teenage girl going up Cascade barefoot.Her feet were bleeding but she was carrying her shoes.
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So here's my verdict.
I just got back from hiking Nye and Street. I managed to do about a half mile into the trail barefoot. It hurts. I agree that it makes you incredibly self-aware of the steps you are taking and has less trail erosion. But I found my boots to be very nice after trying that out. I can see some one doing it to prove something, because I would certainly get their point. That being said, I can understand a small, leafy, back country stroll in barefeet. It doesn't pan out too well for a ~10 mile trip.
I appreciate my boots soooooo much more nowComment
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aaah, a true man of science. willing to experiment on his own feet in the search for truth!
Potsdam eh? My wifes family lives in Canton. good location if you like the Adirondacks.He found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange visions of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams.Comment
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Yeah, it is a good location. I go to school here, with parents living living near syracuseComment
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I hiked up to 12,750 feet in sandals with a full pack(boots strapped to the back). Love my tevas.
-perciousComment
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Yeh, but we all know, you don't have a lot of sense!!Originally posted by percious
"If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." Lyndon B. JohnsonComment
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I think only Hobbits should respond to this string as they are the only people qualified to answer the question. The rest of us are too frail or have too many issues to answer this question.Let there be peace on earth and good will toward all.
"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."
William ShakespeareComment
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