One issue non hikers might not think about is foot health. In the Army, we were always lectured about keeping our feet dry and clean. As a day hiker, I have to keep my eye on my feet, knees, hips, and toes along with hydration. I've battled a toenail issue for several years. On the way down a mountain, the front of your shoe tends to slam into your big toe. That, in turn, can crack a toe nail. And there you have it... a problem.
Yesterday, on Whitecap, the pain in my left big toe disappeared on the way up, but on the way down, I had to adjust my foot plant so I didn't irritate that toe. I do minor "surgery" before each hike to wrap my toe and sometimes add gauze beneath the toenail. It's what happens when you hike. Above is the foot of a long-distance hiker I follow named Crunchmaster who has hiked 13,500+ miles over the past few years. That's what happens to your feet when you hike 25 miles a day. As for me, I might hike 25 miles in a week!
Here are photos of Whitecap on a beautiful, January day at 15 degrees.
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