Gear hounding

A participant from my Alaska trip emailed that she just completed her rain gear outfit via a purchase on the web. I understood. Immediately after returning from sea, she found the top at a store in Seward, but they didn’t have the bottom. She found it online. Yes, it is after the trip. And yes, “rain gear” is an understatement as the outfit is more like those on “Deadliest Catch.” The opportunities to need this in the wilds of Cincinnati, Ohio are virtually nil. But, I understood. As a matter of fact, most of the group hit outdoor gear stores in Seward, Anchorage and Seattle just subsequent to returning from sea. They were in search of gear employed by our guides or something close to it. In the case of the rain gear, several had been enamored by that worn by the crew of the water taxi that ferried us to our remote launch point. I understand the phenomenon and it isn’t unlike kids buying Michael Jordan athletic shoes. You go on a guided trip, acquire some respect for the leader and maybe even admiration and you implicitly assume they he/she knows best when it comes to gear. You may even think it engenders ability enhancement. There could even be an element of it being a treasured souvenir of the trip. I am not a dispassionate observer of this as I have succumbed. In this case, I believe I pre-empted most of the temptation by purchasing the required rubber boots ahead of time instead of using those available on loan by the trip outfitter. Experience has taught me to be leery of gear on loan. Most people probably associate snow and ice with Alaska. In summer up there, such as it is, they should factor in rain and muck. The residents swear by “Alaskan sneakers,” winter or summer, on land or on sea. The brand of choice is Xtratuf and you can readily find Alaskan photos of weddings, funerals and almost any other occasions where they are being worn. I found an outlet with discounted factory seconds and rationalized the purchase with the supposition that I had other uses for such footwear. My back yard does tend to retain water and I don’t like to mess up my “normal” shoes going out to the shed, etc. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. That explains the boots. As for the other stuff I bought on the way home, I’m still working on the rationale and will get back to you.