Date: 2012-04-24
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Damascus, VA - 0.0 milesMy 6th zero dayBought new ULA Circuit backpackI decided I had enough to do today that I would take yet another zero day, my 6th. So I slept in, and didn't get up till 7:30. Nacho left about 6:00. Not only do I have things to do, but because of the bad weather, a lot of people had stayed over. Since the weather is better now, they will be leaving today. So it will be crowded out on the trail today. In addition, since everybody hurried up to get into town because of the weather, there will be fewer new people coming into town today, and fewer people leaving tomorrow. So hopefully it will be quiet leaving tomorrow. I went to the dollar store (it and a convenience store are the only grocery stores in town) and bought food to cover the next section of the trail. Then I reviewed everything in my pack. I checked everything to see if I still need it. I picked up my 20 degree sleeping bag at the post office, and sent my zero degree bag home. (I'm a cold sleeper, I need an extra warm bag.). I assume the worst of the cold weather is over now. I also sent my Under Armour waterproof jacket and several small items home. (I still have my regular rain jacket and pants). Then I went to Sundog Outfitters and looked at their backpacks. They have some very nice light packs but they have little or no back suspension. So the only thing I bought was a piece of Tyvek to use as a ground cloth.Afterwards, I went back to the hostel and packed up all my gear and carried it over to Mt Rodgers Outfitters. I wanted to see their ULA packs. I have a ULA Catalyst now and I'm considering the ULA Circuit, the next smaller and lighter model. I wanted to verify that my reduced set of gear would fit into the Circuit; it does. I discussed the packs with Jeff, a knowledgeable sales guy and probably the owner, but I didnt ask. He measured my torso, and said I need a size medium. Interesting, since I am currently carrying a large. He told me my current pack is too large for my torso length and that is why it slips down my hips, which it does. I tried on the Circuit with all my gear in it. Jeff adjusted it for me and it felt pretty good. He let me take it for a test walk and I walked to the far end if town and back; maybe 3/4 mile round trip. It felt good so I bought it. The new pack weighs about 10 ounces less than my old one and feels good. I sent the old pack home too. I had my hiking poles repaired while I was there also. They would not adjust smoothly and the adjusters in the bottom sections were loose. Jeff gave me new bottom sections and cleaned the inside of the top two sections with a small round metal brush. When he was done they worked much better. All together I reduced my base pack weight by about 47 ounces, or just under 3 pounds (new pack ~10 ounces, jacket I sent home 27 ounces, sleeping bag swap about 10 ounces = 47 ounces).  For those not familiar, base weight is the weight of everything in your pack except food and water which varies daily. All that weight loss, and I got a better fitting pack, too. Afterwards, I went to the library to update my journal since I do not have a cell signal, even in town. I fooled around there for a while, then called my wife, ate dinner, and went to bed.