what kind of shoes to GC hike
Apr 3rd, 2007, 03:01 PM
#2
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What hike are you planning, exactly? No hiker I know would travel a serious distance without socks and hiking shoes/boots, but gee, this all depends on your feet, too. Do you normally hike at all? If you have tender feet, the sandals will be a disaster; they may also cause you to sunburn your piggies, which is about the worst place to sunburn.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 03:08 PM
#3
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Having an idea from your prior posts about wanting to hike downn to the bottom of tha canyon and back, I'd say a firm NO. Sandals are not appropriate.
No ankle support. Let in rocks/sand/dirt. No hard sole for stability.
Even if you plan on the 15 mile alternative I seriously question your judgement by asking about wearing sandals.
No ankle support. Let in rocks/sand/dirt. No hard sole for stability.
Even if you plan on the 15 mile alternative I seriously question your judgement by asking about wearing sandals.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 04:23 PM
#8
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I think it really depends on experience. Are you well trained. and experienced hiker? Some need ankle support, others have strong legs and ankles. I would check with other sites - sierra club, for opinions or REI type sporting good stores. Regardless, train and break in the footwear of choice. Research.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 05:53 PM
#10
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Be sure you know what you are doing before you hike the Grand Canyon -
Day hikes -
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/day-hiking.htm
More info -
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hiking-faq.htm
What time of year are you going?
http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/media/2005/14jul005.htm
If you are evacuated from the canyon, you pay the expenses of the evacuation.
Be prepared. Be REALLY prepared.
Day hikes -
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/day-hiking.htm
More info -
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hiking-faq.htm
What time of year are you going?
http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/media/2005/14jul005.htm
If you are evacuated from the canyon, you pay the expenses of the evacuation.
Be prepared. Be REALLY prepared.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 06:45 PM
#11
jilkovina...Please, please reconsider your hike! First, you ask about sandals hiking the GC which leads me to believe that although you may be in great shape, you also may not be the most experienced of hikers.
You are trying to do a hike that will require camping and that means packing all your own gear. There is nothing but a plot at the campground...you must bring all your own equipment.
You live in FL and the elevation change WILL most definitely affect you, no matter what sort of shape you are in. I've hiked it 3 times as a Floridian. I was running 6 miles a day plus aerobics, yet I felt the elevation change each time.
The campgrounds generally are full, most likely are full by now. You'd have to go down and back in a day.
Have you heard the story about the marathon runners that tried to do the same hike a couple years back? They didn't carry enough water and became dehydrated and delirious on the way back. She tried to take what appeared to be a shortcut and ended up stranded on a mesa. She died. Her partner was rescued. Marathon runners.
You can experience the canyon by hiking down to Indian Gardens, Plateau Point, without going all the way to the bottom. You just won't have the bragging rights. I hope to have them some day.
There is nice fat book on Grand Canyon hikes that ended in disaster. "Over the Edge, Death in the Grand Canyon" or something like that. It will open your eyes...it surely did mine, even having hiked it, thinking I knew what it was about, and being in good shape too.
Lastly, no matter how far down you decide to go, wear good hiking boots. The trail is full of rubble, especially near the top, making sandals out of the question.
You are trying to do a hike that will require camping and that means packing all your own gear. There is nothing but a plot at the campground...you must bring all your own equipment.
You live in FL and the elevation change WILL most definitely affect you, no matter what sort of shape you are in. I've hiked it 3 times as a Floridian. I was running 6 miles a day plus aerobics, yet I felt the elevation change each time.
The campgrounds generally are full, most likely are full by now. You'd have to go down and back in a day.
Have you heard the story about the marathon runners that tried to do the same hike a couple years back? They didn't carry enough water and became dehydrated and delirious on the way back. She tried to take what appeared to be a shortcut and ended up stranded on a mesa. She died. Her partner was rescued. Marathon runners.
You can experience the canyon by hiking down to Indian Gardens, Plateau Point, without going all the way to the bottom. You just won't have the bragging rights. I hope to have them some day.
There is nice fat book on Grand Canyon hikes that ended in disaster. "Over the Edge, Death in the Grand Canyon" or something like that. It will open your eyes...it surely did mine, even having hiked it, thinking I knew what it was about, and being in good shape too.
Lastly, no matter how far down you decide to go, wear good hiking boots. The trail is full of rubble, especially near the top, making sandals out of the question.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 07:16 PM
#12
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To the bottom of the Grand Canyon in Keenes? No way! If you manage it, they'd better make a commercial starring you, because that would be the testimonial of the century!
Hiking boots, with a plate in the sole and ankle support, unless, as someone else already said, you have exceptionally strong ankles. In that case, good hiking shoes. Excellent sole for the rubble/gravel.
OO makes excellent points--the hike to the bottom is tough. Be sure you know what you're getting into.
Hiking boots, with a plate in the sole and ankle support, unless, as someone else already said, you have exceptionally strong ankles. In that case, good hiking shoes. Excellent sole for the rubble/gravel.
OO makes excellent points--the hike to the bottom is tough. Be sure you know what you're getting into.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 09:15 PM
#13
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Perhaps you are thinking ventilation will keep your feet cool. However, that is not as important as stability, support, and protection for your feet. Wearing the proper wicking socks takes care of the heat.
If you were to wear sandals, any uncovered part of your foot would be exposed to rock scrapes and severe abrasion from grit. The bottoms of your feet could suffer from bruising. And you would have no protection from the mule droppings and "puddles", both of which are fairly common. Finally, to hike downhill, dropping 4800 feet (SK trail) or even 4400 feet (BA trail) is very hard on your legs. It is important to have footwear that holds your foot in place and keeps from sliding forward. Plus, the constant impact is hard on the bottoms of your feet. It has nothing to do with how "strong" your legs and ankles are.
Several of us here have done this hike, and we all say boots. That is better, more informed advice than you are likely to get from anyone at a store.
If you were to wear sandals, any uncovered part of your foot would be exposed to rock scrapes and severe abrasion from grit. The bottoms of your feet could suffer from bruising. And you would have no protection from the mule droppings and "puddles", both of which are fairly common. Finally, to hike downhill, dropping 4800 feet (SK trail) or even 4400 feet (BA trail) is very hard on your legs. It is important to have footwear that holds your foot in place and keeps from sliding forward. Plus, the constant impact is hard on the bottoms of your feet. It has nothing to do with how "strong" your legs and ankles are.
Several of us here have done this hike, and we all say boots. That is better, more informed advice than you are likely to get from anyone at a store.
Apr 4th, 2007, 03:39 AM
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Gosh you guys just scared the bejeezus out of me. My son is doing this hike on a school trip in a couple weeks. I think they are pretty prepared, but just the SOUND of OO's book - "over the edge" and "death" - has me ready to kidnap him back. He's never done anything like this before, but the chaperone/guides have assured us they have taken many ineperienced people in the past. But I know he could never run six miles, as OO did to prepare. Yikes.
Apr 4th, 2007, 05:20 AM
#16
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there is no question that hiking boots with ankle support is the ONLY shoe you SHOULD use. the stress on the foot is big time, you will slide around in your shoe no matter how good it fits as you have extreme steep angles on your feet in both directions up and down.
you do not want your foot sliding too much. you also need to stay away from any cotton socks you will have blisters in the first mile. i suggest coolmax or smart wool socks and only one pair. two pairs of socks would allow for foot sliding inside your boots.
you should already have the boots broken in, and as in a previous post, i highly advised hiking sticks because they give you a rhythm and they help you to breathe better, expanding your rib cage allowing you to take in more oxygen. your knees will also thank you .
also take twice as much water as you think you should.
you need to try lots of brands, fit is different for all
some of the more dependable brands are asolo, vasque, merrill_sp?_ (these just fit me right, but they are not as high end as the others).
check out on the web: eastern mountain sports, rei, ll bean (merrill makes some of bean's boots),
campmor (yep no e on the end) if you can find your boots locally, you might get them cheaper at the campmor site. they have good prices.
you do not want your foot sliding too much. you also need to stay away from any cotton socks you will have blisters in the first mile. i suggest coolmax or smart wool socks and only one pair. two pairs of socks would allow for foot sliding inside your boots.
you should already have the boots broken in, and as in a previous post, i highly advised hiking sticks because they give you a rhythm and they help you to breathe better, expanding your rib cage allowing you to take in more oxygen. your knees will also thank you .
also take twice as much water as you think you should.
you need to try lots of brands, fit is different for all
some of the more dependable brands are asolo, vasque, merrill_sp?_ (these just fit me right, but they are not as high end as the others).
check out on the web: eastern mountain sports, rei, ll bean (merrill makes some of bean's boots),
campmor (yep no e on the end) if you can find your boots locally, you might get them cheaper at the campmor site. they have good prices.
Apr 4th, 2007, 05:25 AM
#17
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Dreamer- Is your son's group planning to hike to the BOTTOM of the Grand Canyon, or just visit the Grand Canyon? Huge difference. The former is very very difficult and you should read all the information posted here and on the Grand Canyon National Park website about it. If the latter, there are several short hikes that dip below the rim. However, hiking footwear that consistst of boots with a reinforced sole, some ankle support and socks are really the way to go. If you find out they are planning to hike to the bottom of the canyon, please check on the other GC hiking posts here and ask your son's guides some pertinent questions about water, supplies, permits, etc.
Apr 4th, 2007, 07:33 AM
#18
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Dreamer, here's the thing: bad things can happen in nature. That said, this is not usually a deadly hike, not by a long shot. Tourists actually accomplish it all the time, especially when accompanied by trained, experienced hikers. Dehydration, sunburn and an unrealistic pace are what do people in, and exactly what your son's group guides will prevent.
Apr 4th, 2007, 07:39 AM
#19
Dreamer, I wasn't running 6 miles to prepare for the hike...I run for exercise and had for years and years prior to doing these hikes. Don't worry about that aspect. It sounds as if he'll be with experienced guides. He'll be fine!
Don't worry about that aspect. It sounds as if he'll be with experienced guides. He'll be fine!
Apr 4th, 2007, 08:07 AM
#20
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Dreamer,
If your son is going with experienced guides he will be fine. The one thing I will caution you is about socks. The most common mistake I have seen teenagers make is to wear cotton athletic socks for hiking. Those are usually good for blisters within an hour of starting an uphill hike. So make sure he has proper "wicking" socks that fit. Smartwool and Thorlo have been mentioned, and are both good. (I prefer Smartwool when it is hot). I also like Wright "anti-blister" sox.
If your son is going with experienced guides he will be fine. The one thing I will caution you is about socks. The most common mistake I have seen teenagers make is to wear cotton athletic socks for hiking. Those are usually good for blisters within an hour of starting an uphill hike. So make sure he has proper "wicking" socks that fit. Smartwool and Thorlo have been mentioned, and are both good. (I prefer Smartwool when it is hot). I also like Wright "anti-blister" sox.
