My buddy swore his pour-over tasted weak. He was using the same scoop for everything. Watched a video where they weighed the beans. Turns out his "tablespoon" of light roast was like half what it should have been. Bought a cheap scale and it fixed his whole problem.

Honestly used to think carrying extra gear was overkill until a buddy's radio died mid-climb. Watching him rely on pure hand signal memory was a real eye-opener. Now I drill those signals every week just like it's a fire drill. That muscle memory thing is no joke when you actually need it.

Reversing the flow is a solid move. Wonder if that works as well with the heavier silt and mud we get downriver past Louisville.

That's a solid move. I've done something similar at a gas station in rural Spain, buying a pack of gum and a ton of bottled water on card and asking for cash back. The key is picking a place that's not a chain, they're way more likely to help you out.

A week seems generous to me. Some gadgets just don't click right away. I get what @campbell.cora is saying about learning habits, but if the main feature feels redundant on day one, that's a fair first impression. It takes real effort to find a use for something that doesn't solve a new problem.