quick stream crossing options

[Barry P]

“If there are big rocks to scramble over or bushwacking maybe full boots/shoes are better”

That’s what I thought several years ago. Our group climbed the Middle Teton in sandals. This is me:

And onother person in our group:

Sorry she looks so small, I just wanted to get a larger pic of the terrain we’re dealing with.

And then we ran into a person with mountain boots. Instead of going down the rocks he decided to slide down the glacier. That is much faster. Well he was stopped by the rock field below the glacier (where I was at). You can’t see him but he is the dot below the helicopter as he gets airlifted off the Middle Teton:

That’s another story in itself.

May everyone find their sole,

-Barry

[Jerry Adams]

If you wear mountain boots you’ll have to be airlifted by helicopter? : )

Yeah, each person find sole.  Good to try different soles to see what works best for you.

[Rachel P]

When I’ve hiked in sandals I tend to get small gravel stuck between my foot and the sandal and then I have to stop and try and get it out (usually by shaking my foot or trying to pull the sole away from my foot a bit).  Do socks help with this or do you have some secret to keeping the rocks out (or do you embrace the brutality?)

[Barry P]

“Do socks help with this or do you have some secret to keeping the rocks out (or do you embrace the brutality?)”

Socks yes! Very stylish. I complimented one hiking kid going up Mt Timpanogos in sandals w/o socks. I asked if he had blisters. He said “yes”. I told him that’s why I have socks. He said to me “That’s gangster!”. Hmm. I’m not familiar with that term. When I hike with shoe people they dump out rocks more often than I do. Some things that help me:

1. I like to wear thick fast drying socks.
2. Cinch the sandals tight so rocks and twigs can’t get underneath. Yet not so tight your foot is strangled. Along that same vein, loosen them up at rest stops so they feel like slippers.
3. My sandals (Tera Fi 4) have a slight lip around the edge. This also helps keep trail gunk out.
4. Buy about ½” longer. This protects the toes from root and rock bumps.
5. I wear sandals every day. Even to work. They are black with black socks. Most people don’t notice them.
6. Heat, moisture, and friction will cause a blister. Heat is #1. Even with sandals, my feet can heat up. ASAP when I feel a hot spot, I walk in a stream. The drying effect cools my feet. They will be wet for half an hour but it’s a cold wet and it feels good!

The Tetons were made for Tevas
(I wish Teva would compensate me)

-Barry

[R]

https://www.sealskinzusa.com/socks/hiking-mid-knee-socks-black-grey.htm

[Scott Nelson]

All this talk about using plastic bags to keep your feet dry while stream crossing is missing a tip that I think R Jordan suggested a long time ago.  You cross the stream in your trail shoes and do your best to walk them dry.  When you get to camp it is really miserable to be moping around in wet shoes and socks.  This is where the plastic bags ,or gtx overstocks come in.  You dry your feet as best you can and put on dry socks.  Then you put on a plastic bag or gtx overstock and then put on the soggy shoe.  Your body heat will continue to dry the shoe while you go about your evening in camp (hopefully).  Your don’t wear the plastic bag while sleeping and carry on the next day with a somewhat dryer shoe but at least you were separated from the wet shoe while in camp.

I used this last summer when I made a false economy and didn’t bring any camp shoe/stream crossing shoes.

Scott

[Kevin Babione]

@Sam – Did you ever try making lightweight waders?

[Author]

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