Prepared For the Challenge
When geocaching, we often seek the cache well off the beaten path. Those are the type of geocaches I enjoy most. There are minimal muggles. The walk is usually a good one, with other sights to enjoy along the way. This time of year, though, the weather can be unpredictable. Day-to-day, or even hour-to-hour, you’re never sure what to expect. It can be raining one moment and blistering hot the next. It’s not just the weather, however. Trail conditions often vary widely even in the same park or on the same trail.
As I’ve often blogged, if you’re going to be outdoors, quality, performance clothing and gear will make your time more enjoyable. Besides that, quality gear lasts. Summer geocaching is an example of where good gear comes in handy. In Minnesota, we come across several challenges. Weather can be hot–or not. Insects can pose a challenge. Trails can be passable–or flooded.
The latter is something we encounter a lot. For me, I hate wet feet, wet socks. It’s definitely one of my outdoor pet peeves. Not only are they uncomfortable, but they can easily lead to blisters. Blisters are the absolute worst bane of hiking. Prevention is definitely key. During this time of year, I prefer footwear up to the challenge such as The North Face’s Hedgehog GTX XCR Trainers. Gore-tex footgear are the only options I consider. I want to always be prepared for wet conditions. A slippery slope poses it own hazards. I want a shoe with good traction with vibram soles. Certainly, the last thing you want when in the field is a sprained ankle. I actually couldn’t say which would be worse–the blister or the sprained ankle.
Another thing you want to consider is a balance between the weight of the shoe and the support it provides. When shopping around, two or three pounds might not seem like a lot, but extra ounces make a difference if you’re out hiking during that marathon geocaching session. Ounces do matter. A light weight shoe again, will make the trek more comfortable. Support is important if you will be traveling over uneven ground.
Of all the gear you invest in, your footwear is the most important. The right shoe can make the difference between an enjoyable hike or a miserable walk. Choose wisely.
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