Blisters

Blisters are probably the number one problem hiking into Havasupai. In fact, I had a buddy who had to be helicoptered out because he had them all over his feet, and trust me, those suckers were pretty wicked. Because this is a long hike, your chances of blisters are pretty good, especially coming down the switch backs where your feet are rubbing a ton. However, there are ways to avoid them and at least stop them from getting worse.

In general, keeping your feet cool, dry, and free of sand will do the trick. Prevention is key. As soon as you feel a hot spot, take care of it before it turns into a blister.

Before the hike:

• Prevent toe jammers! Toenails should be trimmed straight across the nail—never rounded at the corners. Leave an extra bit of nail on the outside corner of the big toe to avoid an ingrown toenail. After trimming, use a nail file to smooth the top of the nail down toward the front of the toe to remove any rough edges.
• IYou'll want to avoid Cotton socks, since they tend to retain moisture. Instead, wear wool or synthetic socks. You can purchase hiking socks at sporting good stores, they can get a bit pricey but are worth the investment. Liner socks, which are made of polypropylene, remove perspiration off your foot and transfer it to your hiking sock. Try a few types of socks and decide whether a single sock, a thin liner with an outer sock, or double-layer socks are best for your feet (this will depend on how much extra room you have in your shoes). ***You'll also want to be sure to pack extra socks that are easily accessible to change midway during the hike if necessary.
• Blisters deep under calluses are difficult to drain and treat. If you know this will be a problem for you, use a callus file and an over-the-counter cream to soften these problem areas or at least reduce the thickness.
• Wrap your blister-prone spots with athletic tape or duct tape before you start hiking, if you know you're likely to have a problem. Put the tape directly on your skin.
• If not laced tight enough, your foot can move around quite a bit. On the other hand, if it's too tight your feet may swell and cause you pain.

During the hike:

• If you feel your feet might be moist or overheated, it might be smart to take a rest where you take off your boots and socks. You also might want to change socks and dry the ones you had on.
•  A small bit of duct tape can protect a hot spot. Check your shoes for dirt and grit that can rub the skin, and straighten and smooth your socks before putting your shoes back on.
• Apply a patch or doughnut of moleskin to the hot spot or cover it with tape.