Dear Abby, Backpacker

Dear Abby gave this backpacking letter writer the perfect advice. Let her carry it. Experience is the best teacher.

I'm washing sleeping bags and finishing up work today. TK awoke this morning with what I'm really, really hoping is not a summer cold. EJ's schedule is far less flexible than my own, so if I want a hiking partner (and I do, for a number of reasons that crystallized for me this week), the train leaves tomorrow. Stay tuned.