Author: admin

The results from the Halfway Anywhere surveys are in. I’ve preserved the affiliate marketing links from the original lists. I’m comparing data between trails and with theTrek.co’s data as well as my choices.

Most Common PCT 2025

• Backpack: ULA Circuit (2.41 lb / 1.092 kg)
• Shelter: Durston X-Mid Pro 1 (15.5 oz / 440 g) (Durston continues to take over the trails).
• Sleeping bag: Enlightened Equipment Enigma (1.32 lb / 600.74 g)^
• Sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT (13 oz / 369 g) (the standard remains standard).
• Insulated jacket: Enlightened Equipment Torrid – Men’s/Women’s(8.29 oz / 235.02 g)^
• Shell: Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite Rain Suit(11 oz / 312 g). The least expensive option remains solidly in use.
• Fleece: Senchi Designs A90 Half-Zip Hoodie (4.6 oz / 130 g). I’m using the lightest version (A60) from Senchi and really like it.
• Shoes: Altra Lone Peak – Men’s/Women’s (22.3 oz / 632 g per pair)
• Socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight – Men’s/Women’s
• Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2 (2.4 oz / 68 g)
• Water treatment: Sawyer Squeeze (3 oz / 85 g)
• Headlamp: Nitecore NU25 (1.66 oz / 47 g). What I moved to. On low it is great for use on trail. I have to admit it wasn’t so good in town. However, on the AZT we did a lot of hiking early before sunrise using these.
• Bear canister: BearVault BV500 Journey (40 oz / 1.134 kg). We still have two of these but carry our upgrades.
• Trekking poles: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork (17.1 oz / 485 g per pair). Great poles but hard to adjust on trail.
• PLB/Satellite communicator: Garmin inReach Mini 2 (3.5 oz / 100 g)*. Happy6 and I both carry these.
• Ice axe: C.A.M.P. Corsa (7.1 oz / 201 g)
• Traction device: Kahtoola MICROspikes (11.9 oz / 337 g)
• Umbrella: Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon (6.8 oz / 193 g)
• Fitness tracker: Garmin fenix (2.79 oz / 79 g)

Most Common CDT 2025

• Backpack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest/Windrider/Junction (29.3 oz / 831 g). I love this pack. Happy6 is on her second.
• Shelter: Zpacks Duplex Classic (17.9 oz / 507 g). Note this is used for one person.
• Sleeping bag: Enlightened Equipment Enigma (21.69 oz / 614.91 g). A quilt.
• Sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT (13 oz / 369 g)
• Insulated jacket: Enlightened Equipment Torrid – Men’s/Women’s(8.29 oz / 235.02 g)
• Shell: Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite – Men’s/Women’s (11 oz / 311 g)
• Fleece: Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie V2 (12.1 oz / 343 g). I frankly don’t understand how this got to be the most common. Heavy. Ugly. Hard to get.
• Shoes: Altra Lone Peak – Men’s/Women’s (22.3 oz / 632 g per pair)
• Socks: Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew – Men’s/Women’s
• Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2 (2.4 oz / 68 g)
• Water treatment: Sawyer Squeeze (3 oz / 85 g)
• Food storage: Adotec Ultralight Food Locker – Grizzly Bear Resistant, 14L (7 oz / 199 g). This is an interesting development. I’m hoping they turn out better than Ursack.
• Trekking poles: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork (17.1 oz / 485 g)
• PLB: Garmin inReach Mini 2 (3.5 oz / 100 g)
• Ice axe: C.A.M.P. Corsa (7.1 oz / 201 g)
• Traction device: Kahtoola MICROspikes (11.9 oz / 337 g)
• Umbrella: Gossamer Gear Lightrek Hiking (Chrome) Umbrella (6.3 oz / 179 g)
• Fitness tracker: Garmin fenix (2.79 oz / 79 g)

Comments/Notes

Some of the highest rated gear includes Montbell Versalite raingear. (Almost as good as Lightheart Gear. Basically the same weight. Breathes better but not quite as reliable).

The Senchi Designs Alpha 60 Hoodie has better fit and finish than Timmermade. So I upgraded a while back and remain happy with my choice. I’ve never needed the extra warmth of the 90 weight.

Darn Tough socks dominate. The sock choices on long trails have gone from a variety of brands to basically just different types of Darn Tough. The lifetime warranty has made a difference.

The .9 gram BRS-3000T has moved to being very common and highly rated though behind the Pocket Rocket.

The Sawyer Squeeze dominates. Gear Skeptic has convinced me that it is either the Sawyer or Katadyn BeFree (the standards are not rigorous enough si just meeting “standards” is not enough). The Sawyer filters better, but much slower.

Happy6 and I do use chemical treatment more and more. That used to be very popular on trail. It sure is nice for all sorts of applications, especially overnight or when you are tired but have time.

I’m hopeful for the Adotec Ultralight Food Locker Grizzly but not willing to rely on it without more history.

Appalachian Trail statistics were similar to the other two long trails for gear use. The Trek maintains these. They and Halfway Anywhere have the surveys divided up.

The Garmin InReach Mini has become dominate as a GPS/emergency device.

I’ll note that mass commercial brands like Osprey are much more popular on the AT than other trails.

The CDT tends to lag behind on innovation trends—I think because people keep using gear they already own that has served them well.

Even on the wettest trail (the Appalachian Trail) hikers used down sleeping bags successfully. I’ve gone from wanting non-down for function while wet to considering it a non-issue.

Hiking pole, non-freestanding tents now dominate.

Tents like REI Quarter Dome and the Big Agnes Fly Creek that used to have a significant trail presence have disappeared from the survey responses.

They are both still great tents.

Merrell shoes, which used to be dominant, have really faded as an on-trail brand, though the Moab 3 has gotten a very enthusiastic reception by those who used them.

Topo continues to be the dominant newcomer.

Happy6 and my gear choices

• Tent: Pivot Trio. A palace for two at 22.3 ounces. We now use the Dyneema groundsheet instead of Tyvek. It is useful, especially for siesta time.
• We use MSR groundhogs for tent stakes. They handle hard trails so much better
• Backpack: Kakwa (for horizontal bear can carry) // Hyperlite.
• Packliner. Nylofume bag or trash sack. Pack liners are essential.
• Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friend Egret/Swallow. We use them because they zip together and we have them. Used as a quilt or as a bag depending on temperature. We’ve used these a lot since 2019.
• Sleeping Pads: Thermarest Xlite NXT short. We use the pump sack. We have other pads but have gravitated to these.
• Puffy: Eos or Montbell. Happy6 uses her Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer off trail.
• Shell/raincoat: Visp or Lightheart gear. We both carry rain pants as well. Visp was because I wanted to try it and it hasn’t worn out yet.
• Windshirt: Zpacks or Black Diamond.
• Fleece: Senchi.
• Shoes: Topo Terraventure. With gaiters.
• Socks. Darn Tough heavy or Farm to Feet or Darn Tough. I like more cushion than Hsppy6 uses.
• Stove: BRS + Stanco Greasepot. Lighter than the alternatives and works well. The frying pan stays home now.
• Water treatment: Katadyn BeFree filters and Aqua Mira tabs. The tabs are lighter than the liquid, just as fast and easier to use.
• Food Storage: Bearikade. We gave them to each other as presents.
• Trekking poles: Carbon cork Foxelli. We both use them now. Different colors.
• PLB: we both have our own InReach Mini2 with extraction insurance.
• Ice Axes: we have two Black Diamond Ravens. We will be hiking in non-ice axe seasons this year.
• Snowline Microspikes. When conditions call for them.
• Jolly Gear sun hoodies. Hats.
• Pants for leg protection. Back up shorts. Or vice versa. It is possible to skip the back-up and just use rain pants.
• Camp shoes: slides that are no longer sold or croc style camp shoes. Too bad. If I used them more and used them for water crossing I’d carry my Jimmies which are slightly lighter. Too bad the 7 ounce croc ballet flats did not fit my feet.
• Misc.: sea to summit InsectShield bug nets. Bic minilighter. Toaks polished bowl long handled spoons. Sunglasses (not needed for the AT, essential for other trails).
• More misc: trowel, microfiber washcloth, Mokin charger, Nitecore batteries, REI sun gloves.
• Baselayers. Merino wool and/or Capilene.
• Umbrella finally went in a hiker box instead of being mailed home. Haven’t worn our fitness trackers since 2019 or so.

My prior gear lists

In reverse chronological order. The further down, the older. I’ve definitely changed over time.

https://adrr.com/d20/2025/12/15/gear-updates-and-changes/ — December 2025.

https://adrr.com/d20/2025/09/18/gear-what-i-recommend-and-what-i-use/

https://adrr.com/d20/2025/07/27/comparing-pct-gear-from-2016-to-2024/

https://adrr.com/d20/2025/04/30/comparing-gear-choices-on-the-three-long-trails-2024-baseline/

https://adrr.com/d20/2024/03/04/gear-pct-cdt-gear-list/—categories without specific brands.

https://adrr.com/d20/2024/01/31/gear-what-would-i-recommend-for-a-solo-hiker/

https://adrr.com/d20/gear-from-2015-or-so-to-now/

https://adrr.com/d20/2022/10/06/1008/ // https://adrr.com/d20/2022/10/08/gear-list-part-two/ —2022.

https://adrr.com/d20/2021/11/28/gear-for-the-pct/ — 2021.

https://adrr.com/d20/2018/07/02/expanded-gear-list/ — 2018.

On hoodies I have worn

Thought I would summarize my experience with sun hoodies.

I will lead off with in my experience I found the Mountain Hardware Crater Lake hoodie to be comfortable and a great fit.

Thumb loops, the hood fits perfectly over a baseball cap and it wicks sweat well. My favorite colors and patterns are no longer available. The men’s cut was better for both Happy6 and I.

Crater Lake 175 grams for the weight.

That said the hoodie that is really popular on trail is the Jolly Gear hoodie.

Some Jolly Gear hoodies are very bold, others very mild in style. I own two that are mild.

Jolly Gear weighs 265 grams. It has lots of trim. Buttons. Collar. Two zipper pockets.

That is regular fabric, men’s large.

UL in men’s medium

I’ve used others hoodies. Some were not really sun resistant enough. Others shredded too quickly. Some lacked thumb loops. I had one that was too warm for the trail —and that I’m wearing as I write this, a great hoodie, just not great for backpacking.

Some hoodies did not fit a ball cap well. Some were even more pricy than the ones I’m talking about. $160 is just too much.

I’ve one that sweat stained immediately which was ugly as sin.

The least expensive hoodie I’ve found is https://www.32degrees.com/products/mens-cool-ls-hooded-pullover ($7.99) — and it is pretty decent.

All that said, on the Appalachian Trail I never used a hoodie. I only picked one up for the PCT and have continued with them since.

https://www.rei.com/product/249336/black-diamond-alpenglow-pro-hoody-mens is what I bought.

Shopping with Yogi is how I started with a Black Diamond Alpenglow.

They have two types. I got one style, my wife got the other. Both died on trail. They wore out after long, hard use. https://www.backcountry.com/black-diamond-alpenglow-hooded-shirt-mens

They both lasted as well as any other brand. But they were not great enough that I felt like going back to that brand—especially at $149 each on sale.

I bought a TYR at the Columbia outlet store when my then current hoodie wore out. It weighs 208 grams. Very comfortable but a little heavier fabric than other hoodies. A touch warm on a hot day on the trail.

It is great to wear around town in long sleeve weather. I’m wearing it now.

I tried the hoodie (link is to current iteration, thy routinely tweak the design) from Patagonia which weighed 180 grams. It has no thumb loops. Overall it just came up a little short. Resists stench well. I’d rate it as only kinda ok.

It is polyester so it is hydrophobic and is good for wicking sweat away. Might be perfect for someone else.

In Leadville when my then hoodie was pretty torn up I bought a Galena which is 250 grams. You can see the sweat stained pattern in this picture.

I’ll note that another hoodie I bought on trail (a brand I won’t name) went straight into a hiker box—it wasn’t worth mailing home after less than a week.

I don’t recommend hoodies that

• Are less than 50 spf
• Fall apart or snag unmercifully from day one.
• Hydrophilic. Those will get and say wet. Hydrophobic all the way.

Alternatives

The alternative is the long sleeve t-shirt with a hat.

Either a bandana is used to supplement the hat and protect neck and ears or a wider brimmed sun hat is used.

I did a lot of practice hiking for the CDT with a Silkweight top and a bandana. I did not choose to hike the trail with that combination.

With my new hat I’m considering the t-shirt route since with the hat I don’t need the hood. I might use one of my Jolly Gear shirts instead. Probably the UL one.

Things are still evolving.

Now for my shirt alternatives.

I will start with this one. I finished at Bear Mountain on the Appalachian Trail in this long sleeve t-shirt. It is 165 grams.

Next is 1 gram heavier.

Milspec Silkweight is “new” technology—it is basically Patagonia Capaline at reasonable prices. Very durable.

Then there is Stio.

Stio shirts have an almost cult-like following.

I wear these paradox baselayers for everyday wear in shoulder season. My thanks to PMags for telling me about them.

Great, but I’m not wearing black for sun protection.

Finally 32 Degrees.

32 Degrees makes lots of quality well priced gear.

For comparison with hiking shirts I just weighed one of the dress shirts I wore to work for years and it was 265 grams. The polyester dress shirts my wife and I picked up on trail at a Front Royal thrift store weighed less than that but I’ve misplaced mine so could not weigh it.

Afterword

On the Appalachian trail once I moved to merino blends that had at least 10% nylon and/or spandex/lycra in them I never had wear problems.

My tops only started getting torn up when I started encountering brush, thorns and other overgrown trail hazards on the PCT and CDT which the AT did not have.

Hiking through head high thorn overgrowth for miles takes a toll. I don’t blame the tops for that wear and tear.

Other than the brand I don’t name, I’ve had no complaints about how well hoodies lasted under the conditions I used them in.

I’m also not sure how significant weight is for the tops I’ve used or choosing a top. I’ll have to think about it.

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Miscellaneous notes

As an aside, should you want an ultragrid hoodie, try 32 Degrees $16.99. In a world of alps direct ultragrid still has a place.

For chargers I still recommend Mokin.

Trail towels

There are lots of reasons to carry a trail towel. But also lots of reasons it should be small and made of microfiber.

Microfiber absorbs a lot of water, wrings out almost dry and is light. While towels made of it can cost over $40 you can also buy them at a dollar store, Walmart or Home Depot.

Smaller means cheaper and lighter.

As for reason to carry, many times on trail you will find a shower without a towel or the inside of a tent that you need to remove the condensation from.

I’ve been using microfiber washcloths as towels for 6-7 years now.

Alternative

You can use your buff. In my experience it doesn’t work as well. Same for using your shirt or a sock.

You can use a shammy or a quasi shammy (like Shamwow). They weigh more and need a little more care. I tried that but found I preferred the microfiber.

You can use a cotton washcloth. It dries much slower. Better at home but not as good on trail.

Hats

So, I ended up using my built cool hat the last trail.

And, the hat I was looking at as a possible replacement my wife just bought for me.

It is waterproof (just tested it under a faucet in the sink), has a polyester mesh liner and vents.

Very sweet of my wife to buy this for me.

It fits my head and it provides full protection and better breathable conditions and better visibility than ball cap + sun hoodie.

Sun hoodies pulled forward enough to protect my face fully have cut off some vision. They also don’t breathe as well.

Foxelli poles

My wife also bought me a new set of poles.

They are in blue to compare with hers in green.

With the price increase on Cascade Mountain Tech and the issues with the tips, I’m looking forward to them.

Saves a gram in weight per pole. As I’ve changed how I hold my poles the contoured grips have become a plus and not a minus.

I just flew over Colorado last week and there’s no South facing snow above 11000. Most West facing slopes are gone too.

I’m already eyeing starting 14ers by the end of the month this year.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CDT/s/nXMojPibQV

Planning. Hoping Happy6’s knee turns out ok.

Hiking poles

In theory, replacing the tips on Cascade Mountain Tech poles is easy.

Tip replacement is normal, and I’ve done it many times. For best results, twist off the old tips with pliers after heating them in boiling water. Clean the shafts and install the new tips. So that they stay put, tap the pole a few times on a hard surface (e.g. concrete, granite rock) before using.

https://andrewskurka.com/long-term-review-cascade-mountain-tech-quick-lock-poles/

Boiling water did not really do the trick. One pole was damaged, the other I cut off but had trouble cleaning up.

I really like the poles. I do not like the problem with the tips.

The CMT as they look after 170 Arizona Trail miles or so. The Foxelli after many miles.

The BDs are after the Appalachian Trail and over a thousand miles on the PCT.

I had two BD replacement tips I was going to put on but my wife just ordered me a new set of Foxelli poles after I broke one and cleaning the epoxy off the other wasn’t going well.

The Foxelli are interchangeable in some parts with Cascade Mountain Tech.

Hiking shorts

230 grams. Funny how that went from light to comparatively heavy. I’ve had them a long time. This pair was treated with InsectShield and was perfect until my phone got larger.

Gerry shorts from Costco are unfortunately not consistent and change specs regularly.

Pro tip. I’ve not used the rear pockets on hiking shorts.

At 130 grams these shorts I got from the Timberline hiker box only fit me after I lose weight on the trail. InsectShield treated.

165 grams (5.8 ounces). Light. Only two pockets. Just not as comfortable as other shorts. InsectShield treated.

At 189 grams (6.67 ounces) these shorts are the ones I carry as a compromise. InsectShield treated.

Laundry only shorts

For comparison with the above the “standard” Patagonia baggies shorts weigh 221 grams.

112 grams, with pockets but no belt loops.

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My posture has been improving. I’m glad I’ve been working on it.

Another strategy, remembering this is a bear canister route.

Sierra — from https://thetrek.co/pacific-crest-trail/the-ultimate-pct-resupply-strategy-for-2026/

Walker Pass 653.2 (our start point). (Hiking before that point is ignored for the purposes of this post).

… We will start with full supply here.

56 miles to Kennedy Meadows South 703.4 

…Resupply at general store/outfitter in town, if mailing snow gear could also mail food 

87 miles to Kearsarge Pass 790.3

…Hitched into Independence and took bus to Bishop, resupply in town; gas station resupply in Independence 

85 miles to Vermilion Valley Resort 875.7

…Eat a meal here, has resupply options but very expensive (many recommend carrying food from Bishop to Mammoth).

30 miles to Mammoth Lakes 904.4

Or 33 miles to Red’s Meadow 907.8. Note the restrictions on the road. Red Meadows Road Reconstruction Guidelines and Restrictions.

The campground we got out at I think is Agnes Meadows at 916.0 or Pump Flat at just before 912.

…We will finish the PCT there. https://adrr.com/d20/2022/09/14/september-14th-altitude-sickness/

The alternative is to travel to Mammoth Lakes, catch the bus to Reds Meadows and the Reds Meadows Road shuttle to Agnes.

BTW, after this point it gets easier. Tuolumne Meadows resupply at 943.7, Pinecrest (or Bridgeport or Walker) and on, all easy intervals.

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Going SOBO the route is

• Mammoth-> Red‘s Meadow bus. Spend the night to acclimate to altitude then shuttle to Agnes Campground/PCT at 916.
• Hike 40 miles to Vermillion Valley. 875.7.
• Hike 20 miles to Muir Ranch. 858.9 (mail bucket for resupply. Pay fee). https://muirtrailranch.com/backpacker-resupply
• Hike 69 miles to Kearsage Pass. 790.3 (use delivery service). https://pinecreekpackstations.com/
• Alternative exit is Whitney portal. See below.
• Hike 87 miles to Kennedy Meadows South. 703.4.
• Hike 56 miles to Walker Pass.

Note Whitney Trail is at 768.2. To resupply there using the portal requires the $15 portal fee. 751 is the Cottonwood Pass/Lone Pine Access resupply.

That allows doing Mt Whitney (which realistically adds two days) and resupplying without the extra two days of food.

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For resupply services see Rainbow Pack Outfitters and in the Kearsarge Pass area Sequoia Kings Pack Train. For a complete list of Sierra pack trains click on the link.

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https://www.amazon.com/TOP-EX-Oversized-Waterproof-Fishing-Safari/dp/B0CQJY67GZ— note lots of competitors and many lower prices to compare.

The advantage is that it provides more shade and more ventilation than a hoodie + baseball cap. It also provides more protection.

This one is also waterproof so it can be used in the rain as well.

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The app for reducing your power use on your phone.

Just another reminder.

For April Fool’s

These mugs praising ultralight were on clearance at REI. Steel with cladding. Pretty heavy. It was ironic all in all.

New socks for Easter.

I tried marking one pair with a sharpie. Washed them. The sharpie completely washed out?!?

But I like them. I think they are my new first choice for backpacking.

Replacement sun gloves

Very similar to Glacier except only one finger has the more abrasion resistance fabric. Which fits my hiking style.

Glacier is also still not in stock. These are sized a little small so I’m wearing the XL size.

I’ll have to see how well they wear but I am hopeful.

Other

Happy6 has some tweaks to her knee. Still recovering from that. So we aren’t doing much training right now.

We got some snow!! Not enough to break the drought conditions but it was nice to see. More next week.

We are here for a funeral.

Regular posting will be delayed.

Introduction

The layout of a Durston Kakwa is perfect for a thru hiker. Not so much for someone doing occasional overnight camping.

For shorter distances pack weight doesn’t matter as much. For longer distances the lighter weight makes a difference.

How I organize my pack

With that preface, this is my pack organization:

I start with a pack liner at the bottom of the pack (a Nylofume sack). Inside the liner is my sleeping bag that fills out the very bottom. Then my sleeping pad & pump sack.

Next my spare clothes bag/pillow. I carry a base layer, spare socks, shorts, alpha direct fleece, spare underwear. The bag they are in is also my pillow.

If I have a puffy it is around here in my bag.

Next the dry sack with my electronics (charger, battery pack, hearing aid charger) and medical (vitamins). Medical includes toothpaste and toothbrush.

Next is my food bag. On top of that is my tent. The tent is folded up around the tent pegs. I use MSR ground hogs though any DAC aluminum pegs would be good.

One hip belt pocket has my headlamp and water treatment pills (Aqua Mira). The other my gloves and mosquito head net.

One side pocket has my kit with trowel and paper. The back pouch has my rain gear/wind shirt and extra water bottles. Sometimes I’ll have a bear canister in the pack and might put my tent here.

Water bottles include one CORE bottle for the cap I use as a scoop some times. One bottle with a push-pull cap for drinking out of.

The other (smaller) pocket has my night bottle and my sit pad.

The pad is just a small square sheet of waterproof craft paper.

Zipper pouch has my inReach and any permits (in a large zip lock). That way they are safe but readily available.

One shoulder has a water bottle. In bear spray country the other has bear spray.

My other gear

I wear my built cool hat (I know, I waffle on hats). Ombraz sunglasses and reading glasses on tethers.

Mesh underwear.

Long pants. Buff in one pocket, phone in the other, wallet in zipper pocket. Belt.

Jolly Gear shirt (though I also like Mountain Hardware Crater Lake).

Socks. Compression calf sleeves. Gaiters. Topos.

Fishing sun gloves. Trekking poles.

New gear

With socks I’m looking at Darn Tough Socks again—they now have a full cushion sock. I’m going to try them and I’ve ordered some.

For reference, I’ve used:

• Classic Darn Toughs. I now prefer more cushion.
• Kirkland hiking socks—I like them. Great cushion.
• Smartwool PhD socks. Ok socks. Nice cushion.
• Merino Tech socks (I was given a pair). They are Ok. Great for casual wear.
• Farm to Feet (given a couple pair). My wife likes them. They are her sock of choice.
• Weatherproof socks from Costco. They are nice but I prefer a more cushioned sock. Worth looking at for casual wear or if you don’t like heavy or full cushion socks.
• Wrightsocks. Great around town. On trail, for me, they trapped too much sand, dirt, dust and ash. Some people love them. Depends on your trail and your shoes.
• REI merino socks. I really like them. They are perfect for Ultraventure shoes, for some reason not as good for Terraventure shoes. I’m wearing a pair of them now.

Socks are very personal because issues of compression, fit, and cushion are not the same for everyone or for every shoe.

I’m hoping the new Darn Toughs will be great with the shoes I’m currently using. I’m looking for just a little less compression but full cushion.

With sun hoodies I’m looking at possible changes. But probably sticking with Jolly Gear —but in a medium, not a large.

https://jollygear.com/products/triple-crown-button-down-long-sleeve-evergreen has my attention—I keep thinking of getting one more Jolly Gear hoodie but this time in a medium.

If they had it in a mild blue I’d be sold.

As much as I liked Crater Lake hoodies I’m probably not going to switch back. They are really neat though. Perfect weight. Perfect fit with a ball cap.

Sun gloves are next. I liked my Glacier gloves, but lost one and got what was available on trail. I’m just not sure about the replacements.

https://www.rei.com/product/203636/rei-co-op-active-pursuits-sun-gloves look very similar to Glacier (I found one on trail. I now have two identical right handed gloves and don’t have a left).

So I’m waiting for the color I like to come back in stock and looking at REI’s gloves as an alternative.

Video of stream

Pole tips. The Cascade Mountain Tech poles seem good enough with new tips. I have some around the house I will install as soon as I find them.

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Current Affairs

Enlightened Equipment

I’m not going to discuss the current EE issues. But those are gone over at length at the link.

Hiking pole tips

First I need to replace my pole tops.

I broke out new poles for this trip.

They were even less durable than previous. One problem that hasn’t been solved. https://andrewskurka.com/long-term-review-cascade-mountain-tech-quick-lock-poles/

The comparison pole (Foxelli, on the bottom) had a lot more miles. Luckily I have replacement pole tips I can use.

Tent memories

This picture came up today.

The 3p on the left was front entry and I’m not sure it had as much useable space as the 2p on the right. It was lighter and I was able to sell it via GearTrade.

Training

I’ve started my weight training up again. We are also going to do a 20 miler at least once a week.

I’m also working on more stretching at least three times a week