| 928 | Mother's Day Hike |
2014-05-13 |
The Nashville weather forecast for the Mother's Day weekend was gloomy. There was a good chance for rain on Saturday and Sunday. However, we lucked out and the actual weather was in the "did not rain" percentile.
Sunday afternoon, we decided to go for a Mothers Day hike. Before leaving the house we discussed where we were going to hike and what we were going to wear and carry. It was decided that we would wear mountaineering boots but not carry packs. As our summer trip approaches we are trying to up our training. Due to the snowfall in the Rockies this winter, we are expecting that we will need to wear our boots on a few climbs (we prefer wearing running shoes, but in snow, the running shoes aren't the best for climbing). The one peak we are most concerned with is Gannett Peak in Wyoming. It is a long (25 plus mile) approach and then mostly a snow climb. We will probably hike in our boots and carry a lightweight camp shoe. Since, we were going to spend a good portion of the summer wearing the big heavy boots, we decided that we had better pay our dues breaking in the boots or rather breaking in our feet and legs for the boots.
When we arrived in the Park, the parking area was filled to overflowing, but after one pass, we found a hardened parking spot. We were on the trail in seconds and sweating seconds later. It was hot and humid, but at least it was not raining.
Wearing our big clunkers was interesting. The soles of the mountaineering boots have a rocker built in to make walking easier, but they hardly bend. We continually asked each other how are feet felt. Blisters? Hot spots? There was no way we were going to make the boots more comfortable to wear, but maybe our feet and legs would get used to them. Clomp, clomp, clomp.
As we hiked we chose, if possible, to walk on the exposed rocks along the trail. We were not only trying to break in our feet to the design of the boots, but we were also trying to gain a trust as we sampled the traction on more difficult terrain.
We had a great walk. Our hike was successful in that we wore the boots and didn't develop blisters. We hiked at a slower pace than normal, but that was expected. What was not expected was the pain on Monday and Tuesday mornings! Our shins are killing us. Ouch! We'll have to wear the boots again soon, but the next time wearing packs.
So my wife (and I) spent the near perfect day wearing mountaineering boots, getting sore, and having fun on the trail. Hope you had as much fun on Mothers Day!
Happy Mothers Day trails
Mossy Ridge Trail - cloudhiking guide