On the train off-trail. Updating and reflecting in the time. Especially since due to breakdowns and congestion and the crew hitting their work limits for time in service and needing replacement we are probably going to be eight or more hours late.
This is a list of changes with explanations and some updated discussion.
- Rain jacket. Had a Lightheart Gear jacket. It finally wore out after over two thousand miles and a lot of use as a wind shirt. Replaced it with an Outdoor Resesrch Apollo rain jacket. Why that change? It was what was available where I was. Paid $98 at the outfitter which is less than Amazon. Went from bright orange to a pretty blue color. Again. What was available. Worked well in a significant rainstorm and not too bad as a blanket on the train. I do think orange remains a good emergency color.
- Pants. White Sierra to Prana Zion. The Sierras finally wore out after thousands of miles of service. My replacement pants were in the wrong resupply box. These pants were the only ones in my size in two outfitters. Some pilling on them. Heavier fabric protected my legs from a lot of abuse and some mosquitoes.
- Shoes. My Hoka ATRs wore out in under 300 miles and I was starting to nurse shin splints. In two stores, one pair of shoes (Speedgoats) in my size (wide and 8 or 8.5). Again. All that was available. Let me note that they are pretty much completely collapsing now. As far as I can tell Hokas have gone from good for over 600 miles to dangerous and complete failure before 300. As for shoes my size, the Reno REI had none. I’m thinking of going back to Moab 3s or UltraRaptors. There are shoes I’d like to try but I need to find them in a store in my size.
- Sun gloves. My OR and Buff gloves both wore out quickly. I am using REI gloves now. Tougher palms. Longer finger coverage. This was planned since I’d seen the gloves and the others wore out over time in the desert. Finally have a small hole but it was caused by the hiking poles needing repairs.
- Hiking poles will need new tips and repairs to the top of the handles.
- Sun hoody. The thorns really did a job on my Mountain Hardware. The factory store didn’t have anything in a similar colorway. Looking back I should have just grabbed an ugly one. Got a TYR sun hoody. Pretty color. Fabric holds too much water and it doesn’t grab my hat brim as well. I’m conflicted because I’ve actually been benefited from the extra warmth. So I’m not happy—but—I am happy (if that makes sense). Don’t recommend but they worked out. The thumb holes are painful to use. I don’t need them right now but it is one more thing.
- Hat. My orange hat disappeared. ?!? At a large grocery store/etc (like a super Walmart [Fred Meyer]) I got an “outdoor cap(tm).” Has a black underside to the brim. A great improvement. Still think so though I’m considering a higher visibility hat for our next hike.
- Sunglasses. The hiker box ones finally died to scratches. Replaced with what I got for cheap at REI. With a holder/cord. This one works well.
- Left my pillow in a hiker box. My clothing bag works well as a pillow. After years of hiking with a pillow, suddenly I am not.
- New smartwater bottle. Old one wore out. New Core Water bottle too (for the cap that works as a scoop). Working out well.
- Phone. My old one died to a dying battery that expanded. Replaced phone and also added a pelican case.
I still need a new shoulder pouch, the zipper on my current one is dying. I’m looking at the Durston pack so that will be a built in rather than an add-on.
Using my back-up reading glasses since the others were pretty scratched up. Kept them for an emergency backup. Win drove over her primary pair. Rental car totally destroyed them.
All the gear changes and shaving are why when people meet me that I met in the desert section they can’t quite figure out why they are having trouble recognizing me. Met a lot we had met before. They really tend to remember Win/Happy Six’s trail name.
Other gear need. Power charger for my phone died. Win located her missing nitecore and it is in the mail. Of note, searching for chargers will get you flooded with power banks (batteries) which are completely different. It is also hard to filter by weight.
- 2.5 ounces
- 3.8 ounces
- Claims 5 grams. I doubt the accuracy. Two for fifteen dollars though.
- 4.5 ounces. What I had.
- 2.4 ounces.
So. I need a replacement charger. Probably need replacement high visibility clothing. Probably getting another sun hoody. Looking forward to my other pants. Shoes. And my backpack is getting pretty worn.