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Is it time to buy a new rain jacket?
Recently Angela asked: "I have a very nice NorthFace rain coat. I think it needs renewed water proofing. Would you suggest that or buy a new one?"
I thought Deb's excellent answer was worth sharing: "Try washing it with NikWash laundry liquid. GoreTex is actually a layer of material sandwiched between the layers on nylon that make up the coat. if you don't wash the jacket often enough or wash it in regular laundry detergent it affects the holes in the GoreTex layer, which is what is keeping the jacket waterproof and breathable.
If dirt, grime or the laundry soap gets in there it diminishes it's waterproofness. Whatever this NikWash is, helps "refluff" the GoreTex layer.
Second, don't wash your GoreTex jacket in regular laundry detergent anymore. Use only a mild detergent.
Third, if it is the outer layer that is no longer beading up as well when rain hits it, you can spray the outside with a water proofing spray. But this would be my last suggestion as sometimes the spray keeps the GoreTex from doing its job.
Now, if the North Face jacket is not Gore-Tex, you can still wash it in the stuff and see if it helps.
If none of this works (and sometimes rain jackets are past he point of revival), or if you just really want a new jacket, then go ahead and buy one."
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Update on 2011 trips
We do have all of our winter and spring 2011 trips posted on our website. But honestly, between guiding trips and vacations in August, we're simply a bit behind on our summer and fall trips. We are focusing on the trips that require more advance planning time and do have both our new hiking trip in Scotland and Machu Picchu trips posted on the website. We will have the rest of our international trips up by the end of September and everything else by the end of October. Hiking the Austrian Alps was delightful, and we will definitely be offering that again in early August, 2011. As always, if you're waiting to see the details of a particular trip, just let us know and we'll send you an email as soon as it is up on the web.
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What you've missed in the last month
if you aren't on Facebook or don't read our blog.
On Facebook you missed, among other things, a video of 70 something Maxine doing the polka after hiking 12 miles, gorgeous pictures from the North Cascades hiking trip, pictures of delicious meals from Magical Maine, and a video of people on the Austrian Alps hiking trip flubbing the words to a Sound of Music Song. Even if you're not a fan of Facebook, our page is really fun in a real time way that the website just isn't.
On our blog we tend to be a bit more serious and posts this month included packing lists, choosing travel destinations, the announcement of a free trip, and PFDs for women. We know you don't have time to check the blog, but if you click the green letter icon on the right, you'll get an email with the content every time we publish.
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Next webinar: Trekking in Nepal
Thinking about joining us for Trekking to Everest Basecamp next April? Not thinking about it but love a good slide show and learning about a new country from the comfort of your armchair? Then join us for our next webinar, this Tuesday, September 14 at 7 pm. This time we have VOIP which means you don't even need to call in, you can listen to it over the internet. Its no cost, no obligation, and we won't even endlessly bug you afterwards. All you have to do is send us an email with "Nepal seminar" in the subject line and we'll send you an official invitation. We'll show pictures, answer questions, and generally try to give you a good idea of what the trip is really like. P.S. If you've already let us know you're interested, expect your invitation tomorrow or Saturday.If you don't get it, contact us again.
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More travel tips
The following excellent tips were submitted by Sally, an experienced world traveler whose most recent trip was to Alaska this summer:
"1. I carry a small nail brush to clean off my boots when they get super caked with mud.
2. I take a flat round pancake type sink stopper that will fit anywhere.
3. I often use the small bottles from REI and fill them with whatever I need. There is a biodegradable liquid soap that is good for everything.
4. Small plastic containers from REI can hold the vitamin pill mix--as long as you can identify the pills.
5. Eagle bag cubes are great. I tie a ribbon on the end (different colors) and make a list of what is where. System works as long as you keep things where they were.(Ed note. I use Rick Steves travel cubes and love how they keep me organized, but they seem rather flimsy with the zipper of one starting to give out after only a couple of trips).
6. I like the Eagle Brand folders with a piece of cardboard for things like shirts and pants."
And my (Marian's) own recent experience with hiking poles that have been completely pulled apart in 3 pieces and put in the bottom of my carry on? TSA continues to let me carry them on and once again I was stopped in an international airport (Munich this time) and made to check the baggage. So - domestic airports, I'm 6 for 6. International airports I'm 0 for 2. Notice a pattern here?
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How to complain
With delayed or canceled flights, low employee morale, and turmoil in the travel industry, things can and often do go wrong. Sometimes you have to live with it (especially when you didn't bother to read the small print), but sometimes you don't. Chris Elliott, my favorite newsletter writer, often intercedes to assist travelers with valid complaints. But just as importantly, he teaches us how to complain appropriately and effectively. In addition to his newsletter and blog, he has now started a Wiki called On Your Side, where he both lists industry contacts and invites us to share our information and experience. Its worth a bookmark and definitely take a look next time something goes wrong. You may not get the response you hoped for, but at least you know you gave it a good try.
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That's it from Lake Wobegon
Stephanie is living the Cowgirl Life in Wyoming while Leigh is hiking hut to hut in British Columbia. Shelley and Diane are about to head out on our Havasu and Sedona trip while Anne and Linda hike lodge to lodge on the Superior Hiking Trail. In October Deb leaves to go island-hopping in Greece and I'll be hiking the Southwest. And finally Anne and Karen will be hiking Zion and Bryce in a 4-day hiking extravaganza. If you haven't had a vacation yet this year, please join us! And in any case enjoy the fall colors and relief from the summer heat-- Marian, for all the guides at Adventures in Good Company
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