The gray days of November

[Paul Magnanti]

Something I wrote about this time of the year.

November is the real in-between time. Time for gear repair, maintenance and sorting. And reflecting on the time ahead.

The gray days of November.

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[Andrew F]

Good post Paul. I spent this weekend repairing gear, selling unused gear and doing some MYOG stuff for the winter season so your timing is impeccable.

[Anonymous]

"November is the real in-between time. Time for gear repair, maintenance and sorting. And reflecting on the time ahead."

But also a wonderful opportunity to experience a different mood of the mountains. Up here it is getting all dark and drizzly of late, but there is joy to be had moving over easily over soft, fragrant forest duff in the PNW forests primeval. One can imagine a real troll, not the internet kind, lurking behind every nurse log, and lose oneself in thought in the mist. Yeah, you'll likely get wet, but that's what a small thermos of piping hot miso soup is for. And then there are those rare moments when I emerge into the alpine zone as the sun breaks through the clouds and my spirits soar. Moments like this remind me why I came up here in the first place, a fitting counterpoint to my beloved Sierra. Maybe if I had more gear to sort thru and repair….? Nah, I'd be out there anyway.

[Paul Magnanti]

You must have the magical gear that requires no maintenance, cleaning or fixing! Awesome

Remind me not buy a car from you either.. ;)

[Anonymous]

"You must have the magical gear that requires no maintenance, cleaning or fixing! Awesome"

Nope. I just don't have very much gear, and what I do have gets maintained after every trip, as needed. I don't like to let things go and then face a huge laundry list of things that need fixing at the end of the season, or fail on a trip during the season. But that's just me.

"Remind me not buy a car from you either.. ;)"

You wouldn't want the only car I've owned for the last 15 years, and I wouldn't part with it. I'm as attached to that little Civic HX as one can get to an inanimate object. Keepa you mitts offa. ;0))

[Paul Magnanti]

"You wouldn't want the only car I've owned for the last 15 years, and I wouldn't part with it."

Well based on the waffling there are in the posts above, (and frankly cleaning the sleeping bag alone to clean at the end of the season along takes a while. At least for a mere mortal like me) you are absolutely correct sir.

For one thing, any maintenance records would be suspect and I frankly would not trust them. ;)

[Billy Ray]

No gear repair season for me… out breaking trail in new Sierra snow today… Great fall day… love the light in the mountains this time of year….

Billy

[Nick Gatel]

I enjoyed the article. Since I read Paul's blog fairly regularly, I know he is outdoors almost every weekend and several long trips every year. Plus backpacking is not his only passion. He has many outdoor pursuits.

I am like him, so it is difficult to take the time to clean, maintain and keep gear organized. Sometimes you just have to set aside a weekend and do this stuff.

My wife has been on my back for a couple years to clean my favorite backpacking down jacket and she refuses to go anywhere with me if I wear it, she says, "It stinks to high heaven." Maybe I'll take this coming weekend off and wash all my down stuff too. Thanks for reminding me, Paul.

Oh well, while many here will be spending most of their winter on BPL, Paul will be out skiing and backpacking and more.

Paul, keep doing what you do and don't fell guilty (I know you don't) to take pause in life as you did this past weekend. We should all work to get out as often as you do.

[Paul Magnanti]

"My wife has been on my back for a couple years to clean my favorite backpacking down jacket and she refuses to go anywhere with me if I wear"

One thing I should have mentioned is that , like you, my wife is a big reason why I stay on top of these things!

Andrew Skurka was very amused/relieved when I told him that my wife insisted I get a new hiking shirt so I'd look presentable to the clients. ;)

Somehow my wife still puts up with me…

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"I am like him, so it is difficult to take the time to clean, maintain and keep gear organized. Sometimes you just have to set aside a weekend and do this stuff."
*

Indeed. For me it is usually 2x a year. Early spring and late fall/early winter it seems. And if people RTFA, they will see I was still able to get in a short hike. :)

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[Anonymous]

"For one thing, any maintenance records would be suspect and I frankly would not trust them. ;)"

And if I were selling, you would be absolutely correct in your suspicions. ;0))

As for the rest of it everybody has their own approach, so no need to feel defensive. That was not my intention when I posted, but rather to add another activity to the gray November menu.

[Anonymous]

Glady deleted. Thanks, Nick!

[Nick Gatel]

Tom,

I would never throw disparaging remarks towards you. Sorry if it sounded like that.

I enjoy Mag's writing and his constant efforts to balance work/home responsibilities with his desire to really just be outdoors. I guess that is what I was getting at.

Anyway, accept my apology if I offended. Definitely was not the intention.

[Anonymous]

"I would never throw disparaging remarks towards you. Sorry if it sounded like that.

I enjoy Mag's writing and his constant efforts to balance work/home responsibilities with his desire to really just be outdoors. I guess that is what I was getting at.

Anyway, accept my apology if I offended. Definitely was not the intention."

More than happily, Nick. I guess I should have known. If I had it to do over I would never have hit enter on my reply, but PMed you instead for clarification. I hope you will accept my apology for overreacting in return. Like you, I enjoy Mag's writing, even though I seldom comment on it.

[Nick Gatel]

No harm no foul on anyone's part.

Maybe I won't wash my down this weekend and go into the desert instead. It is wonderful this time of year.

[Anonymous]

"
Maybe I won't wash my down this weekend and go into the desert instead. It is wonderful this time of year."

:)

[Author]

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