close up

the verdict

After much toil and snare, I’ve finally reached a decision on which pair of Chacos I ought to buy. Pictured above you see an electronic image that represents the sandal you will soon see on my feet all of the time. The actual sandal won’t be electronic. When I first decided to wait for the newer, awesomer, lighter Chaco, I frequently called the local REI store to get information on when the much anticipated footwear would arrive. After learning that they knew as little (or less) than I did, I opted for a different route: the source itself. I called Chaco today and learned that a select few online retailers are currently selling the new Chaco with the Unaweep sole (combination of the two previous soles, and 20-25% lighter, depending on who you ask). Well when I heard Casey, the Chaco employee, tell me this breath-taking news, I immediately went to onlineshoes.com where I purchased the second chapter in my Chaco biography. I truly am excited. Thanks for all of you who have been here through this entire process – I am exceedingly grateful.

a conundrum

I don’t think I’m really looking for advice here, rather I see this as more of an outlet through which I can let you guys know the constant struggle that has been going on in my head the past two days (and counting). Here’s the deal: I want new Chacos to replace my stolen pair that I never really got to say goodbye to. I want another pair of Z/2’s, much like the pair pictured above. So that part is easy. Here’s the conundrum part of this particular decision making process…

Chaco is releasing a new sole for 2006 – the Unaweep, and they will be eliminating their current, well-known soles of Terrino (land sport) and Colorado (water sport). Due to this discontinuation, retailers across the country have a diminishing supply of the ‘05 models at extremely buyer-friendly prices (between $50 and $60… not bad folks). At this point in my explanation you are probably wondering what is so hard about making this decision. You all know that I’m frugal by nature and would normally jump at the opportunity to buy something for half price. Well this story goes on to tell that the new sole, Unaweep, claims to be the best of both the former soles, a combination of Terrino and Colorado, and it is 20% lighter. That’s the kicker. Chacos are heavy ricks, and I’d love to lose 20% of the weight that my feet are carrying around daily. Who wouldn’t?

The problem then is should I jump on the good prices that be, or should I wait (an unknown amount of time) for the new models to come out. I’ve tried to justify answering “both” to this question, but I don’t think that’s very ethical. So… that’s that.

trip results…

I got back from Mexico today, and I figured a good way to let everyone know that I safely made my return to the Land of the Free was to post a new blog entry. I’ll give you the reader’s digest version of the trip here quickly: We rode a Greyhound to Mexico, where we were to spend 5 days rock climbing. The weather (and our finger pads) allowed us 3 and a half great days of climbing on some stellar Mexican limestone. The two longest routes I climbed were “Black Cat Bone” with Colby (a 9 pitch 5.10d), and “Yankee Clipper” with Todd (a 13 pitch 5.10c). The former was a solid 850 vertical feet, while the latter boasted well over 1,000. And during the many hours Colby and I spent on “Black Cat Bone,” meanwhile, down at the bottom of our route, some Mexican stole my rope bag, which housed both mine and Colby’s Chacos… Ergo, I had to buy these Mexican Chacos in town… I have not been that mad in as long as I can remember, but the Lord used it to show me how materialistic I am, and now I have something to ask for for Christmas. Thanks to you guys who thought about and missed me… you’re great. For more pics from the trip, click here.