I would object to being called a hipster, but I think colorful personality is fair.

Loads of fun as always. Loads more photos up on flickr.
http://flickr.com/search/?q=chiditarod+2008&s=rec

Main Chiditard at www.chiditarod.org

JOEL - Right off the bat - Don't bring your Macbook Pro. Take the time away from your stuff, it is worth it. Also - Backpacker magazine just came out with their latest gear review issue, not too much electronica, but some.

CHUCK - as a former (2003) blogging AT thru-hiker (I snail mailed my posts in! Old School!), you can find THOUSANDS of hikers blogs at trailjournals.com, a wonderful resource. I've even seen hostel users along the trail use it to calculate estimated crowd sizes.

JORDAN - your trip sounds cool and I am looking forward to checking your blog. For cameras - I had a canon digital elph with me for 5 months, survived it well, very light weight, small charger. For power - I used to mooch power off of public buildings and in restaurants. Check the exterior of post offices for outlets. If you want further suggestions, feel free to email me, I've got loads of suggestions.

If anyone has questions about gear, or trips, or whatnot, feel free to email me - kulervo at yahoo

While I enjoyed much of the book, I was disappointed by the conceit of Isherwood Williams. While I am willing to give allowances for the fact that he suffers from PTSD, I always thought him a poor hero.

I always refute the claim that the book was Man vs. Nature. Ish's failures derive from himself, and I wonder if a more dedicated, more robust hero would have fared better.

Want to warn everyone about this item.

After a week of waiting for this scope to be shipped as a gift for my father (ordered about 2 weeks before christmas, US domestic), my wife called in and was informed that the gift was back-ordered.

Two days later we received an email confirming that.

Then tonight (Christmas Eve) an email arrived informing us that the scope had been over-sold and discontinued. As such we would not be getting our scope. Ever.

Despite this the Restoration Hardware web page lists the item as "In Stock" and "Ships ... to arrive in 3 to 7 business days".

Be warned.