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Is it the norm to leave your hiking boots on when going through the creeks? Or do you change into your sandals? Just wondering – as leaving them on would mean you'd always have wet feet I guess.
Hi Lorna
On our trek we only had two major river crossings all others were "bridged" or rock hopping.
The two rivers we wadded through we took our boots off and in my case I wore a pair of "crocks" that I purchased at Kmart for only $12.00 I also wore them around camp they were great.
They were much lighter than the sandals that I have.
Brian
Your guides will tell you when to take boots off and when to leave them on. On our September trek, we had flooding, and so walked about 3 km with multiple crossings in bare feet or sandles. I too had crocs, and they saved my feet big time. Sometimes crossings are easier in bare feet, sometimes, crocs – your guide will tell you. Most creeks had tree trunks for crossing them and for these you kept the boots on (be sure to wipe mud from the bottom of boot first to avoid slipperness). At some crossings the tree bridges had been washed out, and these we had to wade across up to our waists. A month earlier, there was little deeper than knee height – all depends on the weather on the day! When taking boots off, be sure to have a small towel or sweat rag handy to clean and dry feet after before putting boots and socks back on.
Hi,
It all depends on how deep the creeks are. My first time was after a cyclone and we were wet for 9 days. Not even able to dry clothes out at night.
Chances are your feet will be wet most of the day and after two days your boots will be soaked as well. The most important thing is at the end of the day dry your feet and look after them. If you can start the day with fresh socks great but chances are you wont be able to every day. Just be aware of the conditions and see if you can dry your used socks during the day this is better that using wet socks at the start of each day.
Been there three times and have never had a completely dry trip yet, it is the tropics afterall. Even if they are dry and smell a bit it is better that soaking wet and smelly. Best of luck it is a great adventure and will change your life.hi lorna I trekked last April and we had had a lot of rain prior to the trek and heavy rain most nights. Apart from our first river crossing where we all took off our boots and put crocs on, the rest of the time my boots along with all our other trekkers stayed on. The track was very muddy in parts and we walked through muddy swamps and creeks as well often sinking well down below ankle level in wet muddy water.
At the end of each day I cleaned my boots and also gave them a swirl of dettol. my boots like everyone elses were never dry after day one. but you get used to it. the same went for clothing. there were a few ex army guys on our trek and the rules of engagement were , one set of day clothes and one set of night clothes. At the end of each day as you washed in a stream/river or from under a running pipe you also washed your clothes and hug them out. At 0530 each day wwhen our group awoke you took of your night clothes and put your day clothes back on, always wet .
The most important thing is to look after your feet at the end of one day and the start of the next. wash your feet thoroughly, use alcohol medi swabs to then clean your feet and liberally sprinkle anti fungal foot powder. If you tape your toes then ensure your taping is maintained and replace old taping. If you blister or develop a skin tear treat it with betadine and cover it with a waterproof dressing. All commonsense stuff but unfortunately commonsense is not very common and people find themselves in trouble because they have not looked after their boots and their feet.
regards
PetePete, when you say you cleaned your boots each day, what exactly do you mean? A wipe over with a damp cloth, dig mud out of the treads? Thanks.
hi lorna each night when Iwent to the stream/river to wash I simply cleaned the days mud off my outer boot and sole using a rag/stick for the sole. Twice I washed my boot and inner sole out by immersion after going through swampy ground . A good swirl of dettol followed which would have taken care of most of the nasties. boots were continually wet but at least they did not have yesterdays redmud/or black swamp mud on them.
peteI've been browsing through some of my old 'pre trek' posts, and thought I'd just update on a couple. We left our boots on for all creek crossings. Walking with wet feet wasn't an uncomfortable experience, just par for the course really. I wore shin length gaiters ( a must in my view) which kept the water out for all crossing bar those that were deeper. The only day I cleaned my boots (actually my porter did them for me, unasked) was after hours in the swamp. They were so heavy with mud and water by the time we got into camp that arvo. The hotel back in Pt Moresby charged 7.50 kina ( about $3.50) to bring our boots back to new. Amazing service, especially as there were several trekking companies staying at the hotel and all wanted their boots cleaned and ready for departure home the following morning.
it depends which way you walk…..if walking from kokoda to owers the last day involves many creek crossings (Va ule) with last crossing of Goldie river, most people would leave their boots on for this. If walking the other way keeping your boots dry is more critical as there is still along way to go.
The use of crocs for these crossings and night time use in camp is highly recommended
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