With less than three months left to embark on the still imaginary journey called HHH (Harp Roads and Sacred Wells) my mind is focused on preparations. There are many things to consider including equipment, route and how many holy wells are there in Wales?
Feet come first
I take my feet for granted. They are always there, I support them, they rarely complain, but on a long walk, foot care and care should be a priority. So that should start with what to wear. Socks are easy (Darn Tuff, I already said), but what footwear?
Bring in the heavyweights?
You have to make concessions. My trusty leather boots are version 2 of a pair I wore for about 14 years. Version 2 of my Altberg boots were assembled by the invaluable Aggie, a famous boot fitter in these parts. I have a friend who travels 250 miles to get her boots fitted by Aggie. Aggie has harsh opinions on boot maintenance and insists on giving you a complete tutorial on how to care for leather. The Altbergs are great for all climates, handling rocks, mud, rain or shine and have great grip. But they are heavy and if they get very wet in a downpour, they don’t dry quickly. Soaked boots are grim on a cold morning. The weather during my hike cannot be easily predicted. It could be warm and dry or cool and humid or even very, very humid and there could possibly be snow on high ground. Heavy boots have some advantages, but… the weight will increase the strain on my aging body.
Light and modern?
Maybe I should opt for my Innov8 lightweight boots that have ultra-cold graphene in the soles. This makes them durable and grippy, while the lightweight upper keeps water away for less time than leather, but dries very quickly. I’m not sure how durable they will be and buying new shoes in the middle of my trip seems risky, better to use something tried and tested. However, my current partner has seen many better days and they are cracked and scarred.
The trail shoe option?
I notice that most hikers opt for some type of trail footwear, light and flexible that allows for quick movements. Since I’m probably going 1.5 miles per hour, speed is not my primary consideration. This hike is an artistic endeavor, not an athletic one for me. But the advantages of lightness could mean less fatigue, more agility on the trail, and therefore potentially increasing my endurance.
These reflections prove that “a fool can ask a question that a wise man cannot answer.”
I have time to try some options. After all, I don’t need to make a decision until the day before I leave. I think I’ll try to do all my workouts and hikes in full, heavy, sturdy boots. Lihat juga ksha. My muscles will get stronger that way in any case, which can’t hurt.
Next question; How many sacred wells are there?
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