Date: 2007-12-20
To: Duct tape and gear
Miles today: 0.0

A few years back Greg and I took a SCUBA trip to Grand Turk. As we loaded onto the boat to take us out to the wall I noticed the other group of divers in their matching, color coordinated, computerized gear. We were still using the gear we had bought when we first learned to dive back in Gitmo in 1986¢¦ rough at the edges and held together with duct tape. There is the story with the spear gun and the brand new flippers... but I digress. Greg, however, assured me that we just looked like experienced divers. ¢¦.yeah right! So I approach this hike with the same conundrum. I have lots of gear¢¦ well used gear. Some is held together with duct tape. I have no problem with duct tape, I imagine much of my gear will be held together with duct tape at the end of a six month hike. At the same time I don¢t want to buy needlessly¢¦ or let go of something that works well just to be color coordinated. (tho those pink wet suits were very cute!)First my pack¢¦.   For about six years I have used a Mountain Hardware pack that has served me well. Tracy originally bought it for a trip to Nepal, thought she didn¢t need it and sold it to me, but then did. So it¢s first trip was up some high Nepalese peak. And she brought me back a cool patch to sew onto it. I¢ve gotten much harassment from other hikers over the patches I have collected on it over the years. In six years pack design (weight) has come a long way, so I decided it was time to look into something newer and lighter weight. I bought a six moons design pack¢¦ can¢t remember the model. I haven¢t had time to do a shake down hike with it yet, but it sure is light! And I¢ll refrain from sewing on patches this time¢¦ tho I sure do like individualizing my stuff¢¦ guess I¢ll find another way. Tents¢¦ Lydia got a Hubba for her birthday about three years ago and really loves it. So when River joined our team I decided to get a Hubba Hubba for her and I to sleep in. Seemed like a good idea at first¢¦ I thought she would get bigger¢¦ tho she does sleep stretched out at night. I struggle a little with the options here. Would it be better to switch to a 1.5 man tent? On the other hand I expect to sleep in the tent most of the trail rather than shelters. Maybe the space of the 2 man will be better in the long run. I¢ve always got Greg as a back up. I¢m sure he would just hate to have to go shopping for a 1.5 man tent to mail to me. So I stick with the HH for now and have a backup plan.Sleeping bags¢¦ I have a fantastic summer weight bag by Sierra Design. Will it make it in the early and late months? Not sure. I was fine in it in Idaho while Tracy was cold in her new bag. Most importantly Lydia needs a bag. She is still sleeping in the youth Moonstone bag we bought her when she was nine. ¢¦I know, boarders on child abuse. I¢d like to get her a nice, light weight 800 fill down bag¢¦ heck, I¢d like to get myself a nice, light weight 800 fill down bag! We¢ll see how the finances shake out. Shoes¢¦   Merrell. A few years ago after trying several different brands I landed on Merrell. Their shoes just fit my foot perfectly. I¢ve never gotten a blister wearing a Merrell trail runner. (probably bad luck saying ¢never gotten a blister¢!) The only down side, in Lydia¢s opinion, is that the shoe that fits me best also fits her best. I guess it¢s a mother/daughter thing. But when you are 16 there isn¢t much more embarrassing than dressing like your mom. So I usually end up going out and buying some strange color of shoe lace so we won¢t look just alike. On the subject of feet¢¦ I also always go with a SUPERfeet insert. I usually go through a couple SUPERfeet with one pair of shoes. And SmartWool socks are the best, wouldn¢t hike without them. I do sometimes add a liner sock in the hottest summer weather because they can give me a heat rash around my ankles. Since we¢ve worn these for years we have several pairs already¢¦one thing we won¢t have to buy right off. Then what about a camp shoe? I've tried the Crocs... not impressed. For years I took along my Tevas, but they are really showing the wear. I'm considering a Keen sandal. They seem like a comfortable shoe... tho I still contend they look like clown shoes with that big toe box. And they would probably make an excellent stream crossing shoe. But they sure look heavy! Maybe I could get them in blue to color coordinate with my pack!! (just kidding)