Date: 2008-03-17
From: sunnybank inn

To: sunnybank inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another zero today, and I had a laundry list of chores to take care of.I got my replacement boots from the post office, and the grommet that broke on my boot was reinforced on the replacement boot, so it must have been a common problem. Mailed my old boots back and started wearing my new boots everywhere to start breaking them in. They fit pretty much like my old ones, they just need some walking to straighten out a couple places. It should be fine.I was able to do my food resupply almost entirely at the dollar store, which was awesome budget-wise. Only had to buy 2 food items from the outfitter.I bought a pair of Leki trekking poles at the outfitter. I had been debating this for pretty much the last 200 miles. My poles are knock offs, and the tips are broke, the anti-shock constantly locks up, the hand grips slide down, the hand grips are separated into a few pieces, and the straps are uncomfortable. I figured if they were that bad after 280 miles, I might as well bite the bullet and get the quality poles that will last the trip, pretty much guaranteed.Exhaustively went through my pack to analyze every piece of gear and decide if I really needed it or not. I got a box together with some stuff to send home that I haven't used yet or that I don't really need. I went through everything. I mean it; I sent home my earplugs :-P (they don't do anything in the shelters). I'm not a gram weenie, but I did lose a couple pounds, and every little bit will make me that much more comfortable.I will probably switch to an alcohol stove in another month or so when it gets warmer. My canister stove (Windpro) is pretty much designed for the cold and has been performing marvelously, but the alcohol stove is much lighter. I have my own design worked out in my head; it has a combination of features I've seen in a few other stoves out here, uses 2 cans, and requires no adhesive or anything. I could make it with my pocketknife, but I'll get to it when it is warmer.The big thing today was talking to Arc'Teryx about a couple problems I was having with my pack. The shoulder straps weren't working right without going into details, and one of the secondary stays had separated from the pack. The company was really trying to help me out, but for the life of them they couldn't really figure out what was wrong with the shoulder straps. Eventually, after customer service had talked to warranty and the actual pack designer they decided that I needed large shoulder straps with my medium pack, but they wouldn't have any straps in stock for another month and they only had a large pack (stay). They said to call back tomorrow so we can figure something out. They definitely were trying their best to help me today though.Once again, I had massive amounts of food today, but never was full. Went to a pub for dinner 2 and a beer for St. Patty's day with another hiker. He is a pretty cool guy, and it turns out he is the first hiker I have me who likes metal...and they actually play some Korn at the bar...in the south. I was surprised and very happy.Dinner was great, BBQ once again. I can't get enough of it.That about covers it, boring, but that was my day.