Glenn:

Thanks so much for the welcome and the “heads up” to my bruised ego possibility. That is what constructive criticism is about. I will be looking forward to all the input and maybe dealing out some myself. I may be a newbie to the site, but have many deep woods miles under my belt from decades in the past.

And I do agree that the best way to get your trail legs back is to actually get out on the trail. I have been doing some day hikes with my wife while toting a 25lb 40 liter pack. I am mixing that with carrying my 29lb. main trail pack doing some overnight loops and also some short stretches on the A/T. I have got that pack weight down to the 29 pound level from the 39 pounds that I have started the year with. I am still tweaking and it will get even lighter I am sure.

As for being lucky to live here where I do...It was my choice to move here from the Northeast some 27 years ago and the whole reason was to be closer to the mountains.

Look for me on WB and TJ.

Good luck in all your hiking.

“May Your Feet Be Light And Your Gait Be Long”..... Hobbler
_________________________
"May Your Feet Be Light and Your Gait Be Long"