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Dear Phil:

Not this last November but a year before (Nov. 1999) I attended your boot fitting session at the Summit Hut in Tucson. I think in retrospect your main purpose was to train fitters in the store, to help them do a better job. You personally spent about 45 minutes with me and my broken heal and marked limp. The result wa a pair of Montrail low quarters with the moulded orthotic. Contrary to your careful instructions, I departed 3 days later for the Grand Canyon to do my first back pack trip since wrecking my foot – no break in time or practice walks. The Tanner – Escalante route – Red Canyon loop is not the easiest or the hardest trip in the canyon but it is a favorite of mine. And I sailed through it just fine. Now I still have a buggered foot and poor endurance. For three days though I was able to pace myself and get along reasonably well for 30 miles.

Based on this experience, I tempted fate by booking a transSierra trip on the High Sierra Trail of Sequoia National Park. 75 miles in 7 days finishing with Mt. Whitney, we left the end of June and exited on the 2nd of July. Even with that sad sack foot of mine, I was the only one of our party not to get a single blister or acquire any foot problem that I didn't come in with. While I realize there is no miracle for my problem, your expertise in fitting means that I can hobble around the woods on trails and paths and get along better than most.

Enclosed is a summit photo of our last day. For your time, interest, and expertise I say THANKS – it makes all the difference to me.

Sincerely,
Art Janssen

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