Yosemite National Park On The Valley Floor At Dawn … with temperatures rising

Canon 1Ds mklll  Canon 50mm 1.2  Singh-Ray Color Intensifier  Gitzo tripod  Acratech Ultimate ballhead and leveling base

My feet are my transportation! Sounds silly I know but until I learned this valuable reality I forfeited many opportunities that I’m sure were there for the taking. Not being able to get to an area or even if so, not being comfortable enough to spend the time needed can only be viewed in my opinion, as first sad, and secondly a tragedy! After all, why be out there to begin with if you are not able to do what you came to do in the first place. Doing your homework is useless if you can’t get to class for the test ……….. right?

I’ve found that without technical sandals I could not raft The Grand Canyon. I needed to be in sand, heat, water and wind for 8 days where one shoe was a -do it all- situation. Hiking boots without ankle support for me is insane. The most common injury while hiking are sprained or broken ankles. Suddenly not being able to walk can be in places at the wrong time, life threatening. In frigid conditions getting your feet wet or cold can produce the same.

Solutions…………

In dry and cold with steam and/or puddled crossings I use a gore-tex sealed and lined winter hiking boot. These give me almost the same stability as my technical boots with the protection of waterproof mobility. Gaiters go well with these boots if I’m not in technical pants also. When temperatures drop below 20F or when deep powder or packed snow is a possibility I revert to my Sorrel -15F boots. Yes I sacrifice support and some traction but nothing ends my shoot faster than cold, or worse still, cold and wet feet! Whichever I choose I leave my tent or cozy heated room with boots on. Changing in the field I will do only when absolutely necessary. If temps will be in the 20F range or lower I’ll use chemical warmers as well. I’ve proved many times that if my feet are cold to begin everything will get worse quickly!

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