Date: 2008-03-19
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, still in Pearisburg at the Rendevous Motel. Will be here until Friday, 3/21 when Trail Boss will pick me up for our monthly get together of several days.I did go to the medical clinic and had my chest injury looked at. Does not appear to be anything with the ribs. Rather, the sack surrounding the lungs. Appears bruised amd intern advised rest.I saw Tabasco on the street and he invited me to dinner at the AYCE Chinese restaurant. I just didn't feel like it and went back to rest in my bed. I'm so ticked at myself not to be hiking. Now I'll have about a week off (with the time with Trail Boss) with zero mileage. That bothers me, but nothing I can do right now.I thought I'd use this journal entry to discuss the gear that has worked/not worked for me so far. In the next journal entry I'll do the same for the practices that have worked/not worked.Tent - the MSR Hubba has been superb. Pole is very solid, thick aluminum and the vestibule is pretty large (fits my Osprey Aether 70) if you stake it out snugly. The footprint has also protect my floor from some of those pointed rocks. Even in the shelters (when there is room) I am always setting up my tent. This gives more warmth; protection from the winds; a bit of privacy; and the mice don't seem to want to chew through the material. Of course I'm not leaving any food in it, either.Mountain Hardware Phantom 0-degree down bag. This bag has worked very well. Just have to keep it dry (I carry it in a 13-liter Sea-To-Summit Dry Sack). When you get into your daily camp spot, remember to get your bag out of its sack as soon as possible so it can regain its loft.Micro-fleece sleeping bag liner - have only needed this a few times (when the temps were in the single digits - and I'm getting ready to send it home. But it worked wonderfully.Osprey Aether 70 - I've said it before, this pack is a superb load carrier. The hip belt, when strapped tight, allowed me to carry 45 lbs for a number of hours without discomfort. Yes - 45 lbs seems like a lot of weight, but when you start your thru-hike in the winter there are heavier items that need to be carried. The Aether also comes in smaller capacities (50, 60, etc.) which I think would make a great 3-season pack. I removed the top pocket from the pack (didn't need it) and the weight went down to under 4 lbs.Clothing -I'm a heavy perspirer while hiking. My shirt(s) will get soaked by the end of the day. But that tends to be warm sweat so I don't need to wear that much in the way of a top. Usually a poly, short-sleeve shirt and polypro log sleeve shirt. For bottoms, just hiking shorts and my Patagonia stretch bike pants. Thos bike pants have been worth their weight in gold. They block the wind, dry quickly, and keep me warm. I've torn them several times and used dental floss to sew up the tears.I started the hike with a Sierra Design Hurricane rain top and bottom. By Damascus I was having all kinds of problems with their zippers and the seams leaking. Switched to the Patagonia Precips. Been please with them in both rain and high winds.I started in Springer with the following clothes (for winter hiking): three polypro, long-sleeve shirts; two short-sleeve poly shirts; the bike pants; on polypro pants; one hiker shorts; fleece top and bottom; Patagonia Puffball jacket; rain suit; fleece cap; wind blocker gloves; 3 pair of smartwool socks. I continously used everything when in camp (between hiking and getting in my sleeping bag). The three-pair of clothing were to allow a cycle of wet (sweaty) clothes to dry before wearing them again.Black Diamond Hiking poles - these have worked very well. I've caught them a number of times between rocks and they have not bent yet. Given my tendency to trip over things, the poles have been a great help in preventing my falling all the way to the ground.Lowa Renegade hiking boots - I have always worn and loved these boots. Very comfortable and pliable. Even when frozen after becoming wet, they can be flexed enough to put them on. But to say that they are waterproof is to tell a lie. Whenever in the rain, they become soaked within 15-20 minutes. I accept that as a trade-off for their comfort. They only other issue is their life expectancy - probably not more than 500 miles (Lowa claims they are only designed for 300-400 miles). Nevertheless, this pair I have has gone ove 600 miles thus far and lasted very well except for the rubber on the toe cap starting to come loose.