2021-017 | RUBBER & WET WOOD

OUTDOORS COMMON SENSE TIPS: Rubber don't work well on wet wood. Avoid stepping on wood without barks, exposed tree roots and coconut roots, especially going downhill.

 

First seen in Facebook

February 19, 2018

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WHEN I WAS YOUNGER and nimble as a deer, I hopped on a large bare log lying on the ground. The wood was wet and I had a heavy bag. I completely placed all my trust on my heavy lugged shoes which gripped the trails masterfully. I just made three steps when I find myself in mid-air. 

I landed on the same log and rolled over to the ground. That non-injurious accident scared me and it was then that I gave a great respect for wet wood. Especially wet wood without barks! At the same time, I begun to respect the outdoors. No more swashbuckling moves for me to impress myself.

 

Rubber soles built with deep lugs are the best material to walk on dirt trails and it could hold your ground against the force of gravity while walking downhill and down steep routes. Rubber is also flexible and could stretch and twist up to a certain point where it could protect your feet from injuries. 

Shoes made for the outdoor environment are hiking shoes and these have high collars. These are mostly made to protect the ankles. It would be constructed of leather, leatherette or breathable nylon-mesh uppers or a combination of all. It is a bit heavy owing to its construction. The rubber soles are thick with deeper lugs. 

A lightweight alternative is a nylon-mesh uppers with a lower collar and shallow lugs on the outer soles. These are comfortable pairs that are designed for light backpacking and longer hikes. Because of its lightweight construction, it dries fast and gave you more mileage a day than heavier shoes. 

 

However, there are no soles yet built for wet wood bare of bark. The only thing going safe for us is to evade these and choose rocks or dirt. Train your eyes to be discriminating when it comes to placing shoes on a dirt path. Be wary of wood; any wood for that matter; like loose ones and protruding roots. 

The most traumatic moment would be when someone stepped on wet wood or an exposed root, stripped of bark, following the wood’s grain and going downhill. It would make your heart stop a beat, watching the terror unfolding when someone made that mistake. It would depend really on experience and a good guide to manage your progress.

When faced with such dangerous situations, one must hold both hands to something as anchors and face backwards, slowly extending the feet to a more stable footing. Repeating it as needed. The outdoors has a terrain that is not suited for normal walking. You should devise ways to control your impulse and so stave off the pull gravity.

As much as possible, time your adventures on the best possible weather so you would not be encumbered by muddy paths, slippery stones and wet wood. Just the same, there are places where the rays of the sun could not penetrate the foliage and the ground underneath would remain wet. Just be choosy where you step upon.         

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WARRIOR PILGRIMAGE BLOG, personified by this writer, is synonymous with the Outdoors, since Bushcraft and Survival is its niche. Safety and Security are its bedrock when it ventured into organizing outdoor events that involved people as in adventure/pilgrimage guideships and seminars; and explorations and expeditions.

 

Through tutorship, experience, folk knowledge and good old common sense, this writer was able to collect useful information which he is currently documenting in a book titled, ETHICAL BUSHCRAFT. He shares some of this information and knowledge in his training sessions; in his social-media account; and in this blog.