Preparing for a 14'er: Boots

» TillerBee - Boots

I agreed with all your advice especially your point about having good, well fitting boots and proper hiking socks. In 1991, after not hiking for many years, my sig other and I hiked to the top of Yosemite Falls. I wore an old pair of slightly small boots and coarse cotton socks; Jack wore leather running shoes. By the end of the hike. our feet were so sore, we could barely endure placing each foot onto the trail to finish the hike. I had enormous blisters on the bottom of both feet and Jack’s feet were literally bruised from the rocks and also blistered.

We both purchased well fitting, leather boots with thick soles that we now use to hike here in Colorado. We can continue hiking just fine if we get wet, or cold, or hungry, or just plain tuckered out; the hike becomes a test of our endurance and fortitude. But, if our feet hurt with every step, the hike becomes a torture and can't be over fast enough.

An excellent article with good, practical advice for all hikers in the Colorado back country, not just for 14’er hopefuls. Thanks for writing it.

-- posted by TillerBee