[at-l] Hiking technique for ascents

[lparker@cacaphony.net (L. Parker)]

Except that you are assuming his degree in podiatry also makes him an expert
in sports medicine and orthopedics. I don't think so...

Lee I Joe

<PMAnderson@apshealthcare.com> wrote in message
news:<mailman.1036443006.37784.at-l@mailman.backcountry.net>...
> one of the things the podiatrist blamed my neuroma's & plantar fascitis
on,
> was my inflexible stiff soled hiking boots...  he was very verbose ...
along
> the lines of "how the *(&%$&^ can you expect your foot to flex properly on
> hills and rough terrain, like its designed to do, when you are wearing
> something like this!" and then he held up my high topped leather lowa boot
> and shook it at me.
>
> I sat meekly in my chair and said yessir  :-)
>
> (never argue w/ a large man holding a large boot when you are tipped
> backwards in a chair )
>
> cheerio
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bruce W. Calkins [mailto:bcalkins@disaster-relief.net]
> Sent: Monday, November 04, 2002 6:17 PM
> To: Mark Lerch
> Cc: at-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [at-l] Hiking technique for ascents
>
>
> >From the safety aspect, the soles of your feet should be placed flat to
the
> surface you are walking on.  (Maximum surface contact.)  This is one of
the
> things roofers learn early and works well on most hiking trails.  I
> personally seldom wear boots outside of the snowshoe season any more and
> suggest the consideration of trail runner or approach type shoes as these
> allow the ankle to flex.  This does imply strong ankles and may also be
> overruled by other considerations as well, r.e. plantar fascia.  If the
> conditions warrant, you could vary your pace and stride to redistribute
the
> muscle stress.  I  also suspect that some calf stretching exercises might
> help too.
>
> Black Wolfe
>
>
> > All,
> >
> > When hiking steep ascents, is it better to keep the boot flat on the
> ground
> > or walk more on the balls of your foot?  Walking with the boot flat on
the
> > ground can really pull the calves and achilles a lot, while walking on
the
> > balls of your foot seems like it places a lot of stress on the bottom of
> the
> > foot.
> >
> > I ask because I recently suffered a partial tear of my plantar fascia
and
> I
> > think it was due to improper technique while climbing.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Mark
>
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