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<DIV><SPAN class=377120812-06102003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Ralph
and Jennifer, </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=377120812-06102003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=377120812-06102003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Just
got back from the Camino. I found a number of the hikers stating that
the best approach was to alternate between light hiking boots and sandals. This
was something new to me but there were a number of folks that seemed to think
this was the best way to go to avoid blistering. They would start out with the
boots and as the day warmed up, they would switch to the sandals. They would
also be wearing the sandals in and around the refugios. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=377120812-06102003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=377120812-06102003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>James
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=377120812-06102003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Road to
Santiago Pilgrimage [mailto:GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Ralph
Alcorn<BR><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, October 05, 2003 4:52 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Hello, list.<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0
face="Palatino Linotype" size=3 FAMILY="SERIF">Jennifer, in footwear, you have
to decide between trail shoes and lightweight boots. Do not get heavy
boots. If you have strong ankles and are used to walking with low topped
shoes on uneven ground, then you can save weight by using trail shoes.
Among long distance hikers, I think New Balance 80x series are the most
popular. The current one is 806.<BR><BR>Boots must feel comfortable when
you first put them on, and remember that your feet will swell when you are
walking 10-13 miles a day. Be sure your toes are not at all cramped, and
will not hit the front of the boot when going down steep hills. Now I'm
using Lowa Renegade GTX and like them - used the lowest cost Vasque's when
doing the Camino, but they finally wore out. My wife used a lightweight
Lowa model on the Camino. www.backpackgeartest.org reviews boots and trail
shoes.<BR><BR>On pack, etc. really work to keep the weight down - something
like 15 lbs before food and water. We both used a Golite Breeze pack. If
you want a waist belt use something like the GVPGear G4, which I used on a
John Muir Trail thru-hike. It has a slot for a sleeping pad. On
the Camino, we didn't carry a sleeping pad, and always had a mattress to sleep
on, but frequently worried about having to sleep on the floor. Carrying
a pad would relieve that worry. We both carried lightweight umbrellas,
and there were both some hot days and rainy days where we really appreciated
them. There is a lot more info on our camino web page, so I recommend
that you read it soon: <A href="http://www.backpack45.com/camino2.html">Camino
Website</A>.</FONT><FONT lang=0 style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face=Arial
color=#000000 size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF"><BR><BR></FONT><FONT lang=0
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Palatino Linotype" color=#000000
size=3 FAMILY="SERIF">Ralph Alcorn<BR>www.backpack45.com<BR>Shepherd Canyon
Books<BR>Publisher of We're in the Mountains, Not Over the Hill: Tales and
Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers</FONT> </FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>