These boots are made for...

As I noted in my first post, I don't have the gear I'll need for this trek. So the first thing I did was start shopping around for boots, as that will be (I'm told) the most important piece of gear for this type of trek. Mel at Tusker Trail was helpful in giving me guidelines on what I'd need: definitely waterproof and medium weight to support carrying a 20 to 30 lb backpack. She said I would not need full leather boots; they would probably be too heavy.

I went to REI a few times, trying on different boots and talking to the folks there (who at least appeared pretty knowledgeable). I also looked at their online reviews, and online reviews on L.L. Bean and other sources.

The boots meet the beach.

I ended up getting the Gore-Tex Asolo Drifters from REI, and three pair of REI Merina wool trekking socks. I wore the Drifters to work for a few days to see how the fit was, and they seemed fine. With no opportunity to do some real trail hiking—I was going to be in Wilmington NC Saturday and Sunday so Val could attend  a UNCW soccer camp—I decided to do a real break-in test as opposite from Everest Base Camp as I could get: Wrightsville Beach, NC. After getting Val to camp on a cold Saturday morning, I was on the beach about 9:40. I started at Johnny Mercer pier, headed around the south tip of the island near the inlet, then backtracked north against the wind and a couple miles past the pier and back - 9 miles in total.

I had Wrightsville Beach pretty much to myself on a 25 degree breezy morning.

I really like these boots. The reviews all said they did not need a break-in, and I think it's true. I finished with no blisters, no sore spots, no discomfort at all!

When I said “opposite of Everest Base Camp”, I meant it. Here is my Runkeeper elevation map of my nine mile hike that day:

Most of my time was spent at 0 feet above sea level,
with occasional excursions into that treacherous 3-to-4 foot elevation.

My next training hikes will (I hope) be on trails such as Umstead Park near Raleigh. But I know I've got a good pair of boots to get my through it. I think I'm off to a good start, even if it is “all uphill” from here!