Have you ever had a piece of clothing that was your absolute favorite? It went on so many hikes? To multiple continents? It went from Alaska to Antarctica.
For me, it was a Columbia Sportswear quarter-zip top. With the “space” fabic, in a blue/gree/purple hue. It wasn’t particuarly a perfect shirt, but it wicked, you could venilate. And it matched nearly all my other hiking clothing, especially my favorite purple fleece vest.
I don’t remember exactly what year I got it or where I bought it. But that light blue and purple shirt? It was on so many trips.
In Antarctica, I was packing up and realized my shirt had become threadbare, with a hole in the left elbow. I almost tossed it, but I just couldn’t bear that. So I took it home.
And we had three more years of great hiking.
Till yesterday morning, when I realized BOTH elbows were blown out. One armpit had excellent ventilation; the front looked like chipmunks had eaten at it…around the chest, my wearing of a Hill People Gear kit bag had worn the fabric in spots almost to see through,
It was time. This time it wasn’t coming back out of the garbage can.
Somewhere in Alaska, on an island that only existed at low tide.
In the Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Mount Shuksan in the North Cascades.
I have another, in hot pink. Maybe it is time to pull it out and start wearing it. Still, I will miss ol’ reliable.
~Sarah