Actually, when I first opened my new pack at home yesterday to start filling it up with all the HEAVY stuff, it smelled a bit like cat pee. Yikes. Had to check that there wasn't a kitty trapped inside. So, you'll recognize me at the hostel by that particular odour.

As for packing - I've been hiking for years, but this is the first time I go for a part wilderness-part civilization walk and therein lies the problem. I'm inclined to take a travel towel, because I get to take a shower every now and then (also, some shampoo/shower gel to go with it), I need a clean shirt to wear to a hostel and pubs in the evening (I think) etc. When you hike in the wilderness in Lapland for a week it's just you and the ever present pong, no need or chance for showers, no other people, no nothing but Mother Nature who is very understanding. My typical pack weight, including food for 8 days, is around 13 kilos. Now I can't seem to get the base weight under 10 kilos, no matter how hard I try (well of course the new bloody pack is half a kilo heavier than the old one...).

Well, only three hours before my bus leaves, so I guess I'd better take everything I can fit into my pack (the gigantic new one) and under the checked baggage weight limit on my flight, and continue faffing with it in once I'm in Edinburgh .

Hopefully your burgeoning relationship with the new Scarpas is going well!

Hey Izy,

That's what I had to end up doing, got last minute new boots, Scarpas. It currently feels a bit like a blind date, the potential is there but just not quite sure...
Been wearing them for couple of days religiously to everywhere and so far ok but it is a light work commute. Hopefully it will be ok, alternatively it will be a barefoot crossing!

Enjoy the preparations for the trek!

Katrin

Comforting to know there are a few people out there at the 'getting to know you stage' with their boots. Hope they turn out to be the ideal partner Katrin :) I was splashing around in the bath with mine last night, so far no leaks!