[Philmont]: Shoes, not boots

Why are shoes lower impact than boots in camp?

Here is my thinking. Assume boots weigh 5 pounds more than shoes. Also,
assume the scout weighs 150 pounds. By wearing shoes instead of boots, you
only reduce the weight pounding on the ground by 3-1/3% (5 lbs. divided by
150 lbs.). (By contrast, if you lost 10 pounds, from 150 lbs. to 140 lbs.,
you would reduce the weight pounding on the ground by 6-2/3%.)

Also, I do not believe any one campsite has 20,000 people passing through it
each year. I figure the total is closer to 675 people, 75 nights of camping
multipled by 9 crew members per crew (average).

So, if it is not the weight, what is it about boots that increases the
impact upon campgrounds.

Last year, our crew did both rock climbing and horsebacking riding. I do not
recall any staff person telling us not to wear boots for these events.

I am not undecided whether one needs a second pair of shoes, the first pair
being your hiking shoes. I took cross-training shoes last year. That second
pair took up a significant amount of space in my pack and added materially
to its weight. But, like I said, I am undecided, I am willing to listen.

Great discussion!

David K. Palmer
Scoutmaster - Olympia (Wash.) Troop 266
2003 Crew 726-O Trek #24
Every Scout Absolutely Matters

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Received on Tue May 25 20:34:41 2004