A bunch of us are getting together for a hike over the Lost Coast (a section of mostly-undeveloped beach between Petrolia, California and Shelter Cove, CA). Now, beautiful as that stretch of sand may be, it is… well… very sandy
Last time, I backpacked through about a third of it and I learned the hard way that it was no walk in the park. The sand tends to get into your boots and it also makes for a rather unstable surface.
For the former issue, gaiters seem to work pretty well. What about the “sinking into the sand with every step” thing? Anyone have tips they care to share? Would snowshoes help? Stepping a certain way?
I’m asking out of idle curiosity more than anything. The trek’s worth it either way, but I guess I’ve been spoiled rotten by solid dirt, heh.
I had to to this when Fort Ord was open for basic training. Full backpack, combat boots, M1 rifle. And oh yeah, DOUBLETIME!
Stay away form sand. Sand is bad. Bad Bad Sand!! :dubious:
Try and hike near the water line where the sand is wet and firmer, recalibrate your brain to a reduced pace, and spend some time training on unstable surfaces to build up all the small muscles that work harder in those conditions
Sure, as has been mentioned. I where gaiters a lot just in my every day life due to deep snow. Seemed to be a bit of overkill for some sand. I though that the cut off socks would be a cheep light weight solution.
Seems like it’s just one of those you gotta tough out, eh? Train hard, find dense sand, and keep walking. Sounds good to me.
And kanicbird, barefoot might work for certain stretches, but the terrain is like sand-sand-sand-stone-sharp-rock-thorns-sand-sand-sand-thorns-sand-sharp bones-sand, etc. Maybe if you spent a few months walking barefoot everywhere first so you’d get incredibly hardy soles?
But y’know, now I’m *really *curious… would snowshoes actually make a difference? Anyone ever tried them on loose sand?
I’ve read that if you’re going any distance in deep snow, it makes more sense to haul your supplies behind you on a sled or toboggan than to try to wade through the snow with added weight on your back. Would the same be true for sand? I can’t imagine someone sinking much more than shin-deep in dry sand, but if the terrain is that consistantly sandy would it make a sledge worthwhile?
Have any of your friends done it? Do you know what they are wearing? It will be a long long walk if they are all on flip flops and you show up dressed like an astronaut.
Oh, it’s just a standard beach. We go in regular hiking clothes and shoes (some boots, some sneakers, some sandals… personal preference), nothing extravagant. I just wanted to see if there were ways to increase efficiency is all. Yes, I’m lazy
My recollection of hiking the Lost Coast (admittedly, more than a few years ago …) is that there is also a trail along the bluff much of the way. So when you’re tired of sand, you can go up to the trail for a while. I also agree with outllierrn about staying close to the water line.
Also, watch out for the rattlesnakes in the driftwood piles!
