T-Minus 15 Weeks: Anxiety and Apparel

1) We bought our plane tickets, and we’re leaving almost three weeks earlier than planned—basically at the end of February. The tickets were cheaper, and it puts us ahead of the bubble. For my socially challenged self, this is a good thing. This means we will be hiking through a lot more winter weather than planned, so I’m getting gaiters and packing heavy-duty gloves. It’ll be fine. Can’t be worse than Montana.

2) We’re out of here in 15 weeks, and I’m kind of stressed. Packing, storing belongings, setting up six months of health insurance, storing two trucks and a car, stopping mail, getting prescriptions, something about taxes, clearing water and electric bills from my name, etc. I’m overwhelmed.

3) Observation: The first question* people ask is “Are you bringing a gun?” immediately followed by “What are you doing about food?” Firearms and food. God bless ‘Murica.
*Answers: No, that’s ridiculous; Resupply in town.

4) I was so alarmed by my body composition (pile of bones and subcutaneous fat) that I joined a gym. The membership came with two personal training sessions, so I’ll let you know what the studly trainer says is a reasonable training plan. Cross-country skiing gets me outside, and skiing through bison herds keeps me moving fast. (See top pic.)

5) Clothing is done. Judgment and advice always welcome.

Up Top:

Down coat: Outdoor Research Incandescent Hoodie
Rain coat: Marmot Precip
Midlayer: Mtn. Hardware Microchill Zip T
Base layer: Road race long-sleeve. The only reason to run road races.
Summer: Trashy cutoff tank
Camp shirt: Smartwool shirt I’ve had forever and never seems to smell bad
Sports bra: Whichever one is clean when I leave

Down Below:

Long pants: Moving Comfort Endurance Tights. They fall down when I run, hopefully they’ll stay up while hiking.
Rain pants: Sierra Designs Hurricane Pants. Damn these are uugggglyyyy
Shorts: Whatever’s on top of my laundry pile
Camp pants: Smartwool tights I’ve had since the dawn of time

Etc:

Shoes: I’m starting in Oboz Lunas, from a wonderful Bozeman-based company. I have Salomon trail runners, and then three pairs of Reebok trail shoes for further up the trail.
Camp Shoes: Some preproduction sample shoe from Reebok. Made of mesh and really light.
Hiking Socks: Great socks, don’t even remember what brand. I’ll take a pair of lows and a pair of talls.
Camp Socks: Big fuzzies!
Gloves: Bulky, excessively large ski gloves from Black Diamond. My hands get cold.
Glove Liners: Mountain Hardware Power Stretch
Hat: Smartwool beanie
Buffs x 2: A wool buff for warmth, and a small one to hold my gross hair back.
Underwear: Exofficio. We’ll see if I end up using them.
Gaiters: Haven’t gotten them yet. Any recommendations?

Ok that’s all. It’s a balmy 7 degrees in Bozeman. I think I’ll go sunbathe.