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The Outsider: Walking 101 |
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Written by Greyson Howard/Tahoe World
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Tuesday, 15 May 2007 |
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One of the big draws to backpacking is it’s simplicity.
Walk, camp, eat, and repeat — it’s an uncomplicated life. But when you walk as much, camp as often, and burn calories as quickly as Scott Williamson, Truckee’s own Pacific Crest Trail record holder, you pick up a few tricks of the trade in performing these seemingly simple tasks.
In talking the long walk with Williamson, the yo-yo master of the PCT (a yo-yo hike involves walking the trail from Mexico to Canada, and back again), I picked up a few tips on making life on the trail safer, easier, and more enjoyable.
 One foot in front of the other
In preparing for a trip, most hikers focus on their leg muscles and cardiovascular stamina, but your feet are going to take the real beating.
Putting in anywhere from 20 to 35 miles a day on his feet for months on end, Williamson knows taking care of his feet are key.
He recommended light-weight airy trail running shoes over heavy-duty waterproof boots to let sweat evaporate, blaming moist feet for blisters.
“When I feel anything going wrong, I stop to see what’s going on, it’s important to catch any hot spot early,” Williamson said.
Under extreme conditions, Williamson has even taken to cutting his shoes to relieve pressure points, making strategic slices at the toe and heal.
 Home is where your camp is
Don’t pitch camp like you see in the glamour shots of many outdoor magazines, Williamson advised.
Setting up camp at a low spot next to a lake or river will mean not only can water collect there, but so does cold air overnight.
Likewise high ridges are an invitation for a sleepless night in a wind-battered tent.
Instead, Williamson recommends the middle ground, above cold air pools, and below high winds.
“Look at tree growth, you can tell where there is high wind, and stunted growth can mean cold temperatures at night,” he said.
Chow on the mountain
Williamson expects to consume two and a half pounds of dry food a day to keep up with the high miles, but suggested most folks can get away with less on shorter, less intense trips.
Instead of waking up and immediately diving into the bear bag, Williamson walks a few hours before breakfast to aid digestion.
And instead of lunch, he recommends breaking up the day’s food into multiple small snacks of dried fruits, nuts, and energy bars.
For dinner, Williamson left the stove at home long ago, instead soaking his dehydrated dinners as he walks, but said whether you are cooking or not, dehydrated beans, potatoes, and couscous make simple, tasty, and calorie-packed dinners.
Like breakfast, Williamson does dinner on the trail, hiking on a few miles afterwards before setting up camp to take advantage of the meal’s energy — and insuring fewer interesting smells at camp for the local bear population.
To learn more, or check out one of Williamson’s presentations, go to www.pctthruhiker.com
Top photo courtesy of Scott Williamson. Bottom photo by Emma Garrard/Tahoe World.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 May 2007 )
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