I tried my new injinji liners. My shoes are too tight unless I take out my insoles. (Whereas I can wear silk liners without noticing any difference.) So I either have to buy a larger size shoe, or buy thinner hiking socks (I already wear DT Light socks), or not wear the injinji liners. Think I'll op...

If anyone is interested, injinji is having a BF sale on some of their socks. According to a web site review , their liner socks are the GOAT. Can score a deep discount if you don't care about color. (Being liner socks, no one is going to see them anyway.) I just received two pair of their Mini-Crew ...

There are so many "LaBarge's" in the Supes that I don't know which one is LaBarge creek. However, after having just returned from looping Peralta - Bluff Spring to Oak Spring, Bluff - then shortcut Dutchman - Whisky - Peralta after the rain Saturday night, there was water almost everywhere...

@azbackpackr
Thanks. Yes, I called Gregory about a repair and they replaced my back with a newer model replacement.

Here's my review of my newer pack.

My previous 2019 model Gregory Baltoro 65 broke on one side of the hip belt suspension system. https://hikearizona.com/dex2/igallery/thumbnail.php?pic_id=6030 [/url] It bothers me to throw it away since it's otherwise in good shape. The fabric hip belt itself still works and the pack still carries a...

@Pivo
Interesting. I was fine for the 14 miles I did without them in the Superstitions. I'm not a connoisseur enough to feel that they were missing.

@LindaAnn
My mistake. 3/16" thick.

@LindaAnn
So then thicker cushioned socks aren't a suitable replacment for a flexible fabric insole?

Just when I optimize one element of my backpacking, another element presents itself for optimization. I was watching an Influencer recently (a Polar Explorer) who said to wear sock liners inside your normal hiking socks. (To prevent blisters, hot spots, etc.) Although I haven't had a blister (so far...

I recently posted that my 2019 model year Baltoro 65 failed at the hip belt suspension, and that Gregory graciously supplied me with the latest version of the same model under warranty. After two backpacking/camping trips, five days total, with almost 30 lbs, here’s a quick review. TL;DR - the curre...

First, I'm not sure if it's spelled catclaw or Cat's Claw. This page says the former . (Scientific name Senegalia greggii?) But after being snagged multiple times by catclaw during my recent hike in the Superstitions, I was wondering why catclaw claws the way it does? (Unlike thorns on rose bushes, ...

Kudos to Gregory (Mountain Products) for honoring their Lifetime Warranty. A suspension piece on my 2019 Baltoro 65 broke. (I don't know when it broke. I started looking for problems last Friday after noticing the hip belt feeling uncomfortable.) The piece didn't look replaceable. So I was fretting ...

Bear runs into Oro Valley grocery store
https://www.kold.com/2025/09/29/bear-ru ... ery-store/

I don't know what Tropical Depression that is/was. But there are supposed to be auroras out tonight (Saturday) from a CME the other day. Sometimes can be seen from AZ when really dark skies. (But a near full moon tonight.)

@SpiderLegs
In aviation the same joke is:

Q: How to you make a small fortune in aviation?
A: Start with a large one.

I've lost 3/4 of an inch height over the past two years, with a 1/4 inch loss in the past 3 months. All in my spine as discs compress. (Despite hanging from a bar and decompressing every other day.) It would be worse if I were female. My 90 year old friend has lost 2 and a half inches over the past ...

@xsproutx I've been working harder at staying hydrated. (Some Naturopathic doctors on the radio that I listen to say "If you're feeling thirsty, you're already dehydrated.) As I said above, I don't eat much nowadays is it is. But during my few outings, I tend to lose my appetite. (I've hypothe...

As I think about it more, it might not have anything to do with adrenaline for me. A long time ago I could an entire pizza myself. Nowadays, half a pizza it almost too much. Sr. portions, I guess.