Backpack Lust & a Series of Unfortunate Choices

I made a series of mistakes over the past few days. What to do, what to do?

It started out innocently enough. I gave in to the compulsion to wander into the local REI. For me, a visit to the REI store is much like a visit to the animal shelter: temptation is all around and emotions run high. I should avoid these places at any cost.

I lovingly refer to this grand camping, hiking and sporting goods behemoth, as an adult toy store. It is delightful to while away the hours wandering through the aisles examining all the specialized equipment. Most of these clever items are pricey and extravagant and frequently pretty useless in the end.

In the course of poking fun at foolish extravagances and over-the-top equipment, my spouse and I found ourselves in the backpack department. That’s when the dragon reared his ugly head. Yes, somehow the equation, of needs versus desire got transposed when I breathed in the heady air inside the store and saw the array of beautiful backpacks lining the walls. (There is a scent, almost like a new-car smell!) I love bags of any kind, so this was a dangerous place for me to be.

I was casually examining the tags on a lightweight pack, when the cheerful saleswoman, on the scent of a possible sale, grinned at me and said, “Just try one on.”

It is true that I NEED a back pack. In fact, for several months I have been researching and getting recommendations on lightweight backpacks. I intended to order a Gossamer Gear pack and was planning to place that order following the Gathering of American Pilgrims next weekend.

But hey, why not just try one on? So, I slid my arms into the embrace of the backpack as the saleswoman chattered on about how to adjust the various straps. My heart began beating faster. Not a good sign, but I was already oblivious to most of what was going on. (Pack-lust!)

My sweet spouse, the voice of reason, pointed out that this pack had a very agreeable price tag.

Furthermore, we had a coupon for 20% off. By now, the saleswoman had me securely strapped in and had loaded the pack with 20 or so pounds of weight.

She smiled again, and said, “Just wear it around the store while you window shop a bit. See what you think.”

I was clearly not thinking.

If my spouse had any training in emergency medicine, he might have noticed my dilated pupils, my racing heart, my flushed face. But he did not.

In fact, he said, “Look at the weight of this pack – only 24 ounces! That’s not much more than the Gossamer Gear pack.” (Post script: the GG Miniposa weighs 14 ounces)”

That is when the rationalizations really began to fly.

My husband and I began an enthusiastic discussion on the relative merits of this pack over those of the GG Miniposa. This pack has a back pad while the GG Miniposa pack has none (because minimalist hikers strategically place their sleeping pad there instead…this shaves off weight. But since I would not be using a sleeping pad this was a moot point.)

I could not try on the GG Miniposa pack since it is available only online. Could I be sure the mail-order pack would fit me as nicely as the pack I was happily toting around the store at this very moment? (Hmm, mail-order spouse versus the guy I met at a dance?)

On and on the rationalizing (disguised as logic) went.

“Great price, great fit, great weight…let’s do it!” I said, pulling out my credit card and leaving the store with a brand new backpack.

Once home, I immediately made the pack my very own. I carefully and happily snipped off all the labels and lopped off the extra cords, and eliminated anything extraneous. All this in the interest of shaving off ounces of weight.

Then I began to stuff my down sleeping bag into the top-loading pack. This was the start of a long evening of entertainment for anyone who might have been watching. I wrestled with that sleeping bag, trying to find a good way to pack it into the backpack with any space remaining for my two changes of clothes and the other few items on my checklist.

By the end of the night, I was exhausted physically and emotionally. It was clear I would have to strap my sleeping bag in a compression sack on the outside of my tiny pack. I was not amused.

In the clear light of day, after a restless night agonizing over this matter I must admit, I somehow bought an 1,800 cubic inches/ 30L pack, weighing 24 ounces. In all my research I had been looking at packs with a volume of more than 2,000 cubic inches and most around 35L. The more suitable GG Miniposa’s statistics are: 2,800 cubic inches/45L and 14 Ounces.

What was I thinking? (Slap to the forehead and big sigh!)

All this from a notoriously frugal shopper… (Another big sigh.)

As I tap this note out on my keyboard, I can almost hear my mother’s voice saying “Buy in hast, repent at leisure.”

So what’s the next move?

Do I live with the mistake and the consequences?

Or do I spring for another backpack?

Stay tuned for further misadventures on Peregrina Pulver.

Despite everything - Life is good...

Getting my Gear Together...

Getting my gear together is becoming a reality.

I have a good inventory of clothing and footwear from which to build. Those decisions will fall into place nearer to my travel date. I can look at weather forecasts to help me out during those final days. And toiletries are not an issue really.

But there are some decisions/purchases yet to make.

The backpack that will be my constant companion and the monkey on my back. It will surely be a love-hate relationship.

I am currently conditioning myself using an old Osprey I got at a yard sale. I carry 2-3 gallon jugs of water as I slosh along on the morning dog-walk. (See the photo of Miss Zia, my 3-legged walking coach and trainer!)

I am looking at and leaning toward a Gossamer Gear ultralight Miniposa. They raised the prices since last fall so I find myself procrastinating - waiting for a sale.

I need a suitable sleeping bag. April and May weather in the mountains of northern Spain can be erratic and extreme. I vacillate on what I think I need. I am leaning toward a down bag rated for 30 degrees F. I am trying to find something under 2 pounds at a price under $150.

And I wonder how happy I will be encased in a mummy bag? At home I start my nights sleeping under a pile of comforters and then about 3AM, my furnace goes into overdrive. Out pops my left leg. This helps me moderate my temperature. So do I sleep warm or cool? I don't know. Sooo that debate still goes on.

Do I need or want walking sticks? Maybe I will wait until I arrive in Spain to make this choice.

I want to journal and take notes so I need to choose a practical notebook. I am fond of Cambridge spiral bound Business Notebooks - 80 sheets of 9 1/2 X 5 3/8 inch, cheery, yellow graph paper. And a pen or pencil of course.

There are so many beautiful photos taken by pilgrims. I know I will want to take home images to share with friends and family. But cameras mean extra equipment. I don't want to deal with chargers and batteries, film, etc. I need to find a good compromise.

And what about rain gear?

I am NOT taking a phone, nor am I really planning to blog en-route.

I am NOT planning to take any books. It is hard to imagine life without a book close at hand. No maps and guide books either...this is about the process and people. But I wish I could bring my Christian Science text book: Science and Health with Keys to the Scripture. But no.

I never wear a watch, but maybe I should for this trip.

Choices and decisions will unfold. There is no pressure. But during this waiting I get restless and the list-making begins. And when that compulsive-behavior begins, I simply take a deep breath, put the dog on a leash and head out the door for a nice long walk.

Life is good...