toesalad

Gear failure! This pad has been causing me nothing but problems on our trip. The last straw was last night, when while @reneetougas and I were sitting in our tent, we heard a “popping” sound (not unlike the sound of rain). We had no idea what it was. I started looking around and much to my horror discovered the internal baffles of my pad slowly delaminating as I sat on it.

Two things: considering how much I have used this pad, I am not surprised. It has survived at least 2500 trail miles, with virtually no issues - impressive for any piece of gear. Secondly, this is actually considered a manufacturing defect, and since Thermarest has a lifetime warranty, they will repair or replace it for me. Nothing like quality gear that is both light, durable, and backed by a fantastic warranty. I would not hesitate to buy this one again, it has been one of my favourite pieces of gear.

Great warranty aside, I will not be able to get a replacement in the next 24 hours, and thus I will have to purchase something cheap in Rutland (probably a Z-rest) to use for the remainder of the trip.

Hmmm... according to @Guthook, we have gained a LOT of altitude... did we take a wrong turn somewhere :-)

This photo does not do the fabulous sunset any justice.

Creative pitching my TarpTent Stratospire 2 on the wooden tent platform. Thankfully the platform was perfectly sized for the tent making the job quite easy.

Three-backpackers-on-a-log selfie. Hey, look, my eyes are starting to look normal again.

@reneetougas grinding up the last rocky climb before our camp spot for the night.

The regular ritual of water filtration. I am going to seriously miss fresh mountain water when we get back to the city.

Rock garden, part II.

Rock garden.

@reneetougas making some miles on a short paved section.