Seattle Barefoot Hikers

 

We are a small group of people who just assembled for what the name implies: we go hiking in natural areas - barefoot. Our most recent hike took place on June 12th in what we call the "Issaquah Alps". There were four of us. One of those present, Adrian, gives his account:

'All. Today, a few of us barefooters got together for our first hike in the Seattle area. We went to Cougar Mountain for the first of many hikes. Billy, Bruce, Scott and I met up and have decided that once a month we will get together for a hike. I haven't lived in Seattle that long, so this was my first hike in Washington and the first time meeting Billy, Bruce and Scott. It seems as if we have begun a barefoot hiker's group in Seattle and its surrounding areas.  We welcome any other people inside and outside the SBL to join us at any time. Our first hike was awesome. We went through trails Scott developed as he led the way.  The terrain varied from mud, shrubby areas, trails laid with bark and creeks with boulders and stones to walk over with water flowing through.  It was a great hike. We took a few pictures that we can hopefully share with the group or at least place on a web site we can develop. It was great to be able to meet fellow barefooters in the area who enjoy feeling Mother Earth the way nature intended. Again, we welcome anyone interested and will keep anyone else in the area posted as to when and where we'll meet in July. We welcome any feedback from anyone regarding any areas we should explore. Thanks. -Adrian Garza

Additional photos of our hikes.

We belong to a larger worldwide group called the Society for Barefoot Living, which exists to promote going barefoot. It also has links to barefoot hiking groups throughout the world. This is what we are now trying to do in Seattle.

We welcome any barefooters in the greater Seattle area who would like to join us on our hikes. Although bare feet are not required to hike with us, you do have to be barefoot friendly, and hopefully have something of an interest in taking up barefoot hiking yourself. In the meantime you will likely get the honor of being our photographer.

If you end up joining us and don't feel ready to go unshod, wear some kind of shoes that are easy to remove and carry when not being worn. You are bound to find many places on a natural trail that are perfect chances to go barefoot.

For conditioning purposes off the trail, try walking on sidewalks and increase your distance and surface roughness to toughen up your soles. Stepping down toe first protects against joint stress - a method used by barefoot runners. A good surface for those of advanced sole development is crushed rock.

Contact Bruce Collier for information about upcoming hikes.

Other Sites

Society for Barefoot Living
The mother site for barefooters
The Barefoot Hiker
An online book by Richard Frazine
Running Barefoot

Take two shoes off and call me in the morning: Medical support for barefooting.

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