COMMUNITY SPORTS NEWS
			   Friday, June 23, 1995


		Is Barefoot Hiking 'Good for the Sole?'


	  It was a chilly Sunday afternoon at Durham's Eno River State
	Park.  I drove into the gravel parking lot and had no trouble
	spotting my hiking guides.  They wore sweatshirts and jeans but
	no shoes.  I arrived with two pairs of socks, running shoes and
	no intention of joining these barefoot hikers in their quest to
	commune with nature.
	  Don Weber and Phelps Gates are the Triangle leaders of the
	Barefoot Hikers of North Carolina.  Barefoot hikers leave their
	shoes at home Sunday afternoons.  Hikes are held at 2 p.m. at
	Umstead Park and Eno River State Parks as well as at Duke
	Forest and other local trails.  There are also national hikes
	quarterly across the nation.
	  Everyone is welcome to join these treks (that includes
	children and dogs) and there are no dues or fees.  All outings
	are strictly barefoot.  Neophytes may carry shoes but everyone's
	expected to begin without footwear.
	  So why go barefoot? Some answers can be found in Richard
	Franzine's [sic] "The Barefoot Hiker" (Ten Speed Press,
	Berkeley, 1993) where the author finds the experience to be
	sensuous, pleasurable, and even a bit mystical.  Weber and Gates
	feel that barefoot hiking strengthens the feet and leads to an
	appreciation of the many textures present underfoot.  Quite like
	a rolfing session without seeing a therapist!
	  Franzine [sic] writes about his various outings and is
	particularly fond of melting snow as it pushes through his
	toes.  According to Franzine, the joy of barefoot hiking is the
	idea of getting in touch with nature and doing so on a regular
	basis.
	  Weber and Gates gave me a few tips when I broke down and took
	off my shoes and socks.  Most important was to step straight
	down and to do so lightly, almost tentatively at first, to
	guard against sharp objects and stubbed toes.  Franzine [sic]
	also suggests using the balls of the feet because they are
	tough yet yielding and sensitive to the ground underfoot.
	Needless to say, it's very important to focus on the trail.
	  To join them on Sundays call Don at 598-9619 or Phelps at
	967-5193.  The Barefoot Hikers and the Dirty Sole Society are
	on the Internet.
	  So how did I like my brief adventure "sans shoes?"  Well,
	let's just say it wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined for a
	novice and I must admit I enjoyed massaging the arches of my
	feet on a well placed log.  However I also felt the discomfort
	of several poorly placed footfalls and the anxiety of
	anticipating more of the same.
	  This much I can say.  If you give barefoot hiking a try, you
	are sure to get in touch with your "sole!"

						-- Nat Smith