Summer is already upon us! Despite the rain forecast, I went backpacking over Memorial Day weekend for the first time this season. A slight drizzle on Saturday kept the crowds at home, and after weeks of being stuck within four walls, I finally got that rejuvenating dose of quiet open air I had been dreaming about through both the winter and Pennsylvania’s Red Phase. The best part of setting up camp in the backcountry is peeling off the day’s shoes and socks and slipping on a (relatively) clean pair of camp shoes. Styles vary, with Crocs being among the most common camp footwear. I had only a 98-cent pair of Walmart flip-flops, and while good enough for a weekend, they were not ideal for scurrying down a hillside to fetch water or anything beyond carefully shuffling across smooth, flat ground. When I got home, I spent an afternoon converting them into huaraches, a type of minimalist sandal originating in Mexico and quite popular, in a stripped-down form, among barefoot runners (a community of which I am, admittedly, not a member). The straps are made of a series of loops in a single length of cord, so that the entire sandal can be re-laced around the foot every time for a snug fit. For casual wear, the cord is tied off and just loose enough to slip one’s heel out. With the flip-flop soles and a few feet of paracord, it was an easy job. Any rope can work, though synthetics are longer-lasting; each of my huaraches used about five feet. There are a few lacing techniques to choose from (like this one), and it can be puzzling at first, but like tying any shoes, eventually it becomes second-nature. All that’s left is to trim the soles to a custom fit. This can be done with a razor blade or knife and several careful passes. Alternative sole materials can be anything flexible and durable: leather, canvas, recycled inner tube rubber, etc. The thinner cord is much more comfortable than the the thick plastic strap originally on these flip-flops, and with the added security of a heel strap, these shoes are ready for stream crossings and tramping through the woods to hang a bear bag. Sometimes the simple projects are the most satisfying: they help me shake off the all-too prevalent creative cobwebs as working from home continues. And if the project encourages me to get out and enjoy the summer, all the better. If you are going outside, please do so in as safe a way as possible —mask up, continue social distancing, wash your hands — and always follow Leave No Trace guidelines. Happy making! - Chad Brown, Center for Creativity Assistant. Find Chad's work on Instagram.
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