Date: 2004-04-22
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba Mt Shelter
Miles today: 13.9

Today was a tough 14 miles. My body is tired and my bruised knee and arm hurt. The last mile was somewhat grueling. I think the heat might be getting to me a bit too.After hiking 5 miles or so over some beautiful terrain I ran into 3 people with a French accent. Just like the local¢s think about me. I immediately thought ¢You¢re not from around here.¢ They were from Montreal. It was pretty cool to talk with a few fellow countrymen. I¢ve tried to convince myself that Canadians and Americans are almost the same but then talking to these guys I realized how untrue that really is. I guess it is just a different attitude about life.My 6-mile destination was a little gas station/grocery store just off the trail. I ran into Deja Vous and the Lost Boys there but they¢ll all doing big miles today so I probably won¢t see them for a bit. I phoned my mom, who might visit me in Washington for a few days after I get to Harper¢s Ferry. Now I¢m on a schedule until I hear for sure if she¢s coming or not. I¢ve decided it is either Washington or Trail Days. Both are basically at the same time for me so that will work out good.I also phoned the Technica Shoe manufacturer. I got a pair of their shoes back in Hot Springs and the stitching has been tearing away on the sides, leaving gaping holes. The warranty was for one year but I thought that it couldn¢t possibly apply to thru-hikers, but my shoes only lasted 400 miles. I¢ve heard gear companies like to make thru-hikers happy because of the good or bad press we can give them, so I phoned hoping to get a free pair of shoes out of the deal. The customer service lady I talked to wasn¢t really authorized to do anything outside the book but was eager to help. She said she¢d talk to her supervisor when she got in from lunch and phone back in an hour. So I phoned back and talked to the supervisor who was quite happy to give me a free pair of shoes. She kept trying to upgrade me to some heavier-duty models. I think she was worried that I would keep harassing them for free shoes! I assured her though that if the new pair only lasts 3-400 miles, then it¢s basically 800 miles for a pair of shoes, which I¢m happy with. So my new shoes will be in Waynesboro in a week. I have to mail in the old ones so they can see where they went wrong.Overall: Technica shoes are very comfortable but durability is a little sketchy. However, if the company is willing to stand behind what they sell and will solve problems I will have to give them an A-.Another gear note: Wigwam Ingenious socks (Liner & outer sock in one) are extremely comfortable but very slow to dry and durability is very sketchy. Wear thin after 50 miles, threadbare by 200, holes by 300, garbage by 325. If you are not using them for big miles, then I¢d highly recommend them, for thru-hikes, don¢t waste your $20. I may try phoning Wigwam and see what they can do for me. I¢ll keep you updated.Today is 2 months on the trail for me! Almost 350 miles per month or about 85 miles per week. It has just hit me lately that I¢m actually making pretty good time. It feels like everyone is passing me. I know time will definitely not be an issue, even if I take a week off to go to Washington or Trail Days, which makes me feel happy.JB ¢ ¢Tell It Like It Is¢¢¦