Me and the Cisco Kid

In the past month I've gradually been acquiring gear, researching a bunch, talking and emailing people, etc. etc.

Main issue for me has been acquiring properly fitting orthotics, which I hope to get this week. (Kind of important for proper foot and knee function!)

Six week away from departure. We've been having a ton of rain in south Louisiana--similar, I'm sure, to the tons of snow in the northeast. It's given me "excuses" but today was a nice enough day for an outing. The first day for my hiking partner, Cisco (a 3-year-old English Springer Spaniel) and I to get out and test drive our new packs, and me new footwear. His pack was empty, mine just had a couple liters of water. Easy start.

Cisco's pack is a Small Ruffwear Approach, mine a S/M Gregory Wanderer 52L. Cisco promptly roughed up his pack, banging it against trees and branches, lying down in mud puddles. My pack fit well, and while a "youth" pack, it is a good choice for a small torso. As I've seen commented elsewhere, it does fit close to your back--which feels secure--but I can see it won't allow for a lot of airflow.