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Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: photonut on 18:23:42, 04/12/17

Title: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: photonut on 18:23:42, 04/12/17
Hello all,


Whilst reading Adalards TR:  http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=35612.0 (http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=35612.0) and chuckling to myself at his leg being covered in peat bog/ mud I started to wonder how others here cover this type of ground??


I'm quite new to hill walking and to be honest when I get to the peaty moorland/ peat hag type terrain I get a bit phased as how best to deal with it.  Do you just bite the bullet and wade through it, hoping it doesn't get too deep?  Or, do you try to jump across the visible soggy areas (my chosen method - but occasionally I fall a little short :( ) or last but not least, do you try to find another route around it completely?


I'd be really interested to discover what others do here.  Perhaps I'm not wearing the right attire and the first option is more palatable with the right kit?


Oh yes.....I shall add that I wasn't laughing at Adalards misfortune, more a case of I was empathizing with his situation because it is usually me that possesses the ability to find the very boggy ground and end up soaked and covered in the stuff.  Last weekend being no exception as I managed to end up knee deep whilst negotiating Great and Little Whernside :)


Cheers
Lee

Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 18:48:11, 04/12/17
Walking in the Rhinogs on Saturday afternoon, it was impossible to avoid the saturated ground, and no amount of leg protection would have prevented soggy feet.
I was wearing my favourite boots, and they were totally soaked.
Sometimes its impossible to avoid saturated ground, you have  just got to make the most of the wet conditions.
Wear gaiters, and the right clothing, but there are instances, where because of the ground conditions, your going to get wet.

My walk to the summit of Yr Llethr, was wet to say the least, but thankfully its very close to home, so i was able to get my wet clothing and footwear off quickly.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Skip on 19:02:21, 04/12/17
... how others here cover this type of ground?

In a word, light-footedly.

Obviously, walk round any dodgy looking bits where possible rather than plough through them.

Gaitors help a bit.

Don't get too hung up about getting your feet wet - sometimes it's inevitable.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: barewirewalker on 19:16:20, 04/12/17
The water table is level, but the ground is not. There will also be an outfall, otherwise the water table would build up and there would be deeper water.


These are two rules of land drainage it is worth bearing in mind, when looking across waterlogged ground. Also much hill ground has been drained at some time or other, either by open ditches or land drainage tiles, as the hill subsidies shrink and the conservationist win over upland, these once drained grazing areas fall in disrepair, so it is possible to read the signs and pick a route through. With practice this is a skill, which I believe walkers can develop. Doesn't always work but it does help to keep out of the worst places.


It is also worth while looking at a map a imagining where the subsoil structure might be. Old rights of way, and footpaths may well follow the geology. So old routes may have been allowed to 'go back to nature' often helped by some idiot on a quad bike spinning his wheels through several millennia of history.


A technique I have passed on to Mrs BWW and my daughter is to develop a sideways sweeping step when there are tufts of rushes and coarse grasses so that your foot lays down a platform of stems over wet spongy ground. Using poles to take some of the weight off your feet, by placing them in tufts of reed as well.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Dovegirl on 20:08:08, 04/12/17
If possible I edge past soggy patches. I find gaiters and waterproof boots effective.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Owen on 21:44:08, 04/12/17
You could use waterproof boots and gaiters or even better supergaiters - I've always found these hold the wet in if your boots do get soaked. Or you could try fell/trail shoes and bare legs, your skin is waterproof.


That's of course if your expecting boggy going all day if you just come across boggy ground mid walk all you can do is try and avoid the worst of it.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Mel on 21:56:17, 04/12/17
Do you just bite the bullet and wade through it, hoping it doesn't get too deep? 


Definitely not!!  Never.


[/size]Or, do you try to jump across the visible soggy areas


Sometimes I will tuft-hop.  Only sometimes....If the boggy ground has obvious bits of "solid" ground (usually those tall green stalks that look like chives)... then I'll stand on those.  I'm always mindful that I might have to retrace my steps to get to an easier/safer route though.

 
[/size]do you try to find another route around it completely?


Yes.   

 
Avoid standing on the bright green (and sometimes red tinged) sphagnum moss as the ground underneath is not always as solid as you would be led to believe  :-[
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: fernman on 22:29:55, 04/12/17
My technique is to step on the bases of the tussocks of grass, and go from one to another. They provide a bit more support under the foot. The same with rushes, aim for the bases of the stems. And I'll second what Mel says about avoiding bright green patches of moss.

From time to time, though, I've had situations in not particularly boggy ground where, as I'm walking, my foot has unexpectedly shot into a wet and muddy hole up to knee depth, and this has always brought me crashing down. Imagine it if you haven't experienced it: you find yourself laying full length on soggy ground, shocked and partially winded, your heavy pack is making it difficult for you to get into the right position to ease yourself up, and when you get your leg out it is covered with brown mire and your boot is full of water.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Ridge on 22:43:27, 04/12/17
From time to time I use all of the above methods, hopping from tuft to tuft, leaping across, and occasionally ploughing on regardless. I also frequently try to walk quickly and lightly while waving my arms like a demented duck I am sure it doesn't actually help at all but it amuses anyone I am with.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: adalard on 05:59:20, 05/12/17
My encounter with the bog monster on Margery Hill took me by surprise. I'd actually managed to avoid getting wet as I crossed the boggy ground approaching the summit and was caught out by a sneaky, leg-shaped hole beneath the heather on otherwise solid terrain by the Margery Stones. So my mishap was similar to those Fernman has encountered, although I didn't fall over completely.


I did fall over several times and go thigh-deep with both legs several times in some marshy ground in the Southern Lakes a month or so ago. The tufts of grass just kept collapsing under me and, though there was a R.O.W. on the map, there was nothing but this waterlogged meadow under my feet. Took me an hour to cross a barely half-mile stretch and I nearly lost the will to live - but it was too late in the day to reascend and find an alternative route (which could, I reasoned, still have crossed similar terrain).


Otherwise, I've not had many soakings (or peat-ings). Like Ridge, I usually use a mixture of the above methods. Mel's advice to avoid the bright green is  sound, and reeds can be a great help on wet ground.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Lee in Doncaster on 08:24:59, 05/12/17
I find that actually stepping where the water is lying is usually the safest ground - there is most likely solid rock a few inches below the surface.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: dinger on 09:42:23, 05/12/17
I was on a navigation course in Buckden Yorkshire, and one elderly chap had a bit of a fright when he stepped onto floating sphagnum moss roughly 1 metre across, he stepped into it and basically sank just above waist height, if he was solo more serious consequences because he could not get out on hes own we had to pull him , theres lots around that area off the beaten track.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: sussamb on 10:16:02, 05/12/17
I find that actually stepping where the water is lying is usually the safest ground - there is most likely solid rock a few inches below the surface.


If there's not though  ;D
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: ninthace on 10:33:32, 05/12/17
Look ahead, often you can see bad ground coming so sheering off course can avoid the worst areas. Look for the outflow, often this is the narrowest bit to cross, failing that skirt uphill.
Tussock hopping and walking slightly off track on the vegetation often works. Plan your moves and think ahead. Poles are invaluable not only for added balance but also for testing the ground. As has been said, standing water on the path often indicates a firm base, poles can check this out too. Don’t be afraid to backtrack to try alternative lines.
I would regard gaiters and good waxed boots as essential if you are going into this kind of terrain and you want to emerge with dry feet.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: April on 12:37:18, 05/12/17
What everyone else has said

but especially this  :)

I also frequently try to walk quickly and lightly while waving my arms like a demented duck

This technique can be perfected if you make intermittent sqeaks and use of the word bogger
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 12:53:00, 05/12/17
There are instances, especially after some very heavy persistent rain, that its impossible to escape saturated ground.
My walk to the summit of Yr llethr was wet to say the least, as the lie of the land, mostly uphill all the way, following the famous wall, meant it was inevitable your feet were going to get wet.
The ground looked fine, but every footstep was like walking through a shallow bog, and the mud, that was something else.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: sussamb on 13:05:58, 05/12/17
... meant it was inevitable your feet were going to get wet.


Decent waterproof boots keep your feet dry, nothing inevitable about your feet getting wet  :)
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 13:13:02, 05/12/17
What boots do you wear ?  Waders.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: jimbob on 13:26:11, 05/12/17
My boots and gaiter exteriors often get covered in glar but since I test obviously  boggy ground with my stick I don't get wet feet. Nothing inevitable about it at all. On a very few occasions I have had wet feet when I forded streams and slipped or was just plain careless or distracted, I. E. My own stupidity rather than inevitability.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: sussamb on 14:02:54, 05/12/17
 O0 O0 O0
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Penygadair on 14:17:24, 05/12/17

From time to time, though, I've had situations in not particularly boggy ground where, as I'm walking, my foot has unexpectedly shot into a wet and muddy hole up to knee depth, and this has always brought me crashing down. Imagine it if you haven't experienced it: you find yourself laying full length on soggy ground, shocked and partially winded, your heavy pack is making it difficult for you to get into the right position to ease yourself up, and when you get your leg out it is covered with brown mire and your boot is full of water.
   


I thought that only happened to me.   ;D ;D
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: phil1960 on 14:42:45, 05/12/17
There’s boggy ground everywhere, Wales is made of it and I’m in it every weekend, been through shallow rivers too, nothing special just gaiters and Altberg boots, yet to get wet feet  ;)
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: harland on 16:17:02, 05/12/17

Decent waterproof boots keep your feet dry, nothing inevitable about your feet getting wet  :)
Do you want to review that after seeing The Spine race last year?!! :D

Looking forward to following it again from my armchair in January.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: sussamb on 18:53:56, 05/12/17
Me too ... the Spine race is something different altogether  ;D
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: tenmilesplus on 20:21:42, 05/12/17
No one has mentioned using walking poles to test the ground before you step on it ? This method will not stop you getting wet feet but it might stop you sinking up to your middle like Dr Foster going to Gloucester..

 8)
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Ridge on 20:35:16, 05/12/17

No one has mentioned using walking poles to test the ground before you step on it ?
Oh yes they have!
Sorry, I'm in full on pantomime mode
Poles are invaluable not only for added balance but also for testing the ground. As has been said, standing water on the path often indicates a firm base, poles can check this out too dry feet.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: BuzyG on 21:55:24, 06/12/17
I'd challenge any one to come on some of our routes on Dartmoor this time of year and leave with dry feet.  Short of fishing waders, the moor will find a way in, after several hours out there. The group had to spllt a few weeks back, after one senior lady member sank thigh deep in a peat bog and sensibly choose not to continue the walk that day.   
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: NeilC on 07:29:48, 13/12/17
Yeah boots are not enough on bits of Dartmoor. I've spent ages walking around the deeper parts and picking my way through bogs. Some of them are well over boot height
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: sussamb on 07:47:22, 13/12/17
I agree that when you're in bogs/water that deep you'll get wet feet, but Dartmoor bogs aren't the norm or we'd all need webbed feet  ;D
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Yorkshiremarv on 08:53:18, 13/12/17
All 0f the above but once your committed dont stop or dilly dally about, make your decision and crack on, less time your feet are in water the less chance of getting wet!

Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Oldtramp on 10:24:14, 13/12/17
Remember the old adage 'Where rushes grow a man may go'. 


Look for the clumps of rushes --- brown tipped green round stems, 2 foot tall, -- and step lightly onto the centres of these.  You'll always be safe.


Otherwise trekking poles are good for testing if there's a firm bottom.




Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: gunwharfman on 13:39:14, 13/12/17
Same as me, look for the clumps, and activly plot your route across. I grew up on a farm in Kent, the way to get across boggy grass fields, look for the clumps.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: sussamb on 14:02:05, 13/12/17
 O0 O0 O0
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: BuzyG on 16:48:30, 13/12/17
to get across boggy grass fields, look for the clumps.


Tussocks to that.  ;)
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Strider on 17:28:26, 13/12/17
Yes, as others have said, step on the grass clumps and reeds and avoid stepping on moss.  Wading through and hoping is likely to end badly.

The best method of navigating a bog, however,  is to let someone else go first........  ;)
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: adalard on 18:41:40, 13/12/17
The best method of navigating a bog, however,  is to let someone else go first........  ;)


 ;D
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Mel on 19:06:12, 13/12/17
Otherwise trekking poles are good for testing if there's a firm bottom.


... and getting a slap across the face  :D
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Mel on 19:06:59, 13/12/17
The best method of navigating a bog, however,  is to let someone else go first........  ;)


Good man.  Nice of you to offer Strider  ;)
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Oldtramp on 19:30:50, 13/12/17
The best method of navigating a bog, however,  is to let someone else go first........ 


The hazard with that is that there's a terrible tendency to follow the man in front and then, when you're half way across, you realise he hasn't the slightest idea about navigating bogs and swamps .
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Strider on 01:25:05, 14/12/17

Good man.  Nice of you to offer Strider  ;)

I'm taller than most of my regular walking group, so they often let me go first on the grounds that if I disappear up to my eyebrows they've got no chance  :P

What they don't take into account is that I'm also lighter than most of them. Ha!
 
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: BuzyG on 16:15:34, 14/12/17

... and getting a slap across the face  :D


 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Doddy on 18:08:21, 21/12/17

In wet stuff I use bread wrappers in my trail runners with gaiters.  I have tried several Sealskin Goretex socks ; better for biking. I find they pinch the toes as they are so strong but keep the feet warm
I do tussock jump and the plants a poster said look like chives are often the Tussock sedge, Carex sp.
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: nesty on 14:28:54, 30/12/17
When in the peak district in Oct I went a bit off piste. The ground started getting boggy.
Did the tuff jumps, when I could. However one piece looked firm and placed my foot down and then my leg disappeared down into the bog to my knee.
Lucky was able to step up on to a tuff with use of walking poles and raise my leg out. As I was wearing the Arcteryx Boras, no water could get in to the inner boot, though was one foot squelching back to the campsite.
Boggy ground is a real hazard that many people don't take on board, especially solo walking. I am certainly more on the look out for it now!
I want to do forest of Bowland in 2018. However, the hazard of boggy ground, could present a issue doing it solo!
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: Peak District Pete on 16:09:52, 30/12/17
I agree with most of the replies, hop from one clump of reeds to the next. I did this the other week walking between Higger Tor and Carl Wark in the Peak District. Half way across the bog I ran out of steam and landed between some clumps.

The result was I sunk upto my waist in a disgusting, smelly bit of bog.
I was wearing leather boots and overtrousers, so could take them off and clean to a certain extent.

We called at the Fox House Inn not long after, and had to sit by the door to finish our pints because people aready in there were screwing up their noses at the stink!!!  :o
Title: Re: Boggy soggy ground - what to do?
Post by: harry_keogh on 11:29:07, 08/01/18
Being up to the knees in peat bog is all part of the fun in the Dark Peak  :)


Always wear good well waxed leather boots and gaiters. Haven't had wet feet for some time. Doesn't particularly bother me if they do get wet though, and have done the whole of the Welsh 3000s before with wet socks.