Wyoming and Gear Talk

Greetings from the library in Rawlins, WY.  It's 140ish trail miles from my last stop, and my total is 1400 (?) miles hiked...I wish I could be more exact, but it's almost impossible to know just how far I've come.  That said, I'm pleased with my progress even if I deplete my funds or run out of time before the Canadian border.  It's 50 days until I must return home for Pam & Brennan's wedding!

First off, BIG thanks and shout outs: 
--Rick "Superfly" Melzer for taking great care of me in Steamboat Springs, CO.  It was so cool reconnecting with an old hiking buddy and good friend, and Steamboat is a sweet little town.  I'll be back!
--Barbara and Jack:  many thanks!!
--Big Agnes for replacing my tent under warranty (amazing products and service)
--Pat for another great care package
--Outdoor Research for replacing my broken gaiters
--Pox & Puss Podcast (check it out if you haven't)

Conditions changed quickly after crossing the border:  lower, hotter, dryer.  Amazingly, things shifted just as quickly as they had when I crossed from New Mexico into Colorado...borders may be a geopolitical construct, but it seems that each state on this trail has its own character.  As expected, the hiking is a bit easier and I intend to log bigger miles for the next stretch.  Currently I'm suffering from a mild case of PCSD--Post Colorado Stress Disorder.  Not surprising, given CO's spectacular scenery, fantastic hiking, and really cool towns.  But soon I'll be in the Wind Range and Yellowstone!

Now I can finally talk about gear.  At the outset I was determined to utilize equipment I already own in order to keep costs down and USE some stuff that has languished in the basement for quite a while.  Here's what I had:
--Gregory Baltoro pack (used on PCT, but didn't fit after crazy weight loss so replaced with Osprey Atmos 65)
--Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 tent (used on PCT)
--REI Sub Kilo sleeping bag (11 years old, used on PCT)
--Thermarest Ultralite sleeping pad (ten years old, used on PCT)
--Mountain Hardwear Moab pants (4000+ miles and counting!  must fix tear in seat!)
--Jetboil cooking system (ten years old)
--Darn Tough socks (some used on PCT, the best socks out there!)
--Outdoor Research gaiters (used on PCT)
--Black Diamond trekking poles (used on PCT)
--Lowa Zephyr boots (used on PCT)
--Mountain Hardwear down jacket (a gift from good friend Rob)
--Cheap multi-tool (thanks Dean!)

New stuff:
--Royal Robbins desert shirt
--Salomon X-Scream trail runners, my fourth pair of shoes on this journey.  They've been great since Leadville.
--Sawyer Mini water filter
--Military-ish bucket hat (got in Silverton after old one literally blew off my head!)
--My one electronic device:  Casio Commando 4G LTE smartphone.  It's my computer, GPS, music player, camera, etc.  It will take a beating if not the best pics.  I keep it going with a Power Monkey solar charger (thanks Second Gear!)

Here's the thing:  I'm a dinosaur.  I seem to have the biggest, heaviest pack out there.  People have even remarked that I don't look like a thru-hiker.  ha!

For the next leg, I have decided to go "stoveless" and sent my cookset ahead along with some clothing and other things.  This chopped a lot of weight and bulk from my pack.  If it doesn't get used everyday, I shouldn't be carrying it!  So dry food it is....I'll letcha know how it works out from Lander. 

Body update:
Something always hurts! 

All right all right y'all.   Time to upload some pics from the phone and get out of town.  Lander is Fri/Sat if you wanna send a package priority, I'll figure out what's next.
Cheers,
T-Bone