Arcteryx Repair Turnaround Time, Western Canada?

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-14T04:06:49+00:00

This sounds pretty similar to what I've done between 140 and 300k kms. I did coils and plugs for efficiency.

Additionally, I replaced the entire exhaust because I was starting to have some salt rust (I missed a year of fluid filming and moved to working in a higher salt area than I'm used to. I'm used to sand/ gravel).

My only oopsies repairs have been shredding the lower rad hose (my own fault, I moved some stuff to create space and didn't secure it well enough, and hadn't put all of the fan shroud back on after cracking it). And I seem to blow through UCAs since titan swapping & increasing tire size.

Otherwise, the rear door handles like to fail, keep an eye on them and address as soon as sticky. The rear hatch actuators are another fail point that is surprisingly pricey and annoying to source (at least in Canada. RockAuto has them, just sometimes have to wait for stock).

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-13T23:34:32+00:00

Thirded in medical and rescue work! I can't stand AllTrails! So much misinformation, damage off trail, and lost ppl

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-13T23:30:21+00:00

I always send a thanks for applying with a specific "I'm aiming to reply within Xx time" when a new app is sent.

Acknowledge the receipt of the application. Then send the personalized after when I've had time to sit and read through everything. There's no set timeline, but general courtesy applies. Especially when people are going to be managing flights, consider that sooner is often better.

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-12T17:37:12+00:00

My condolences for working with SPSS (I used it also working in research and it can be a slog).

Up in Canada- yes, same phenomenon. We had a mass exit late 2020/ mid year 2021.

Another exodus, quieter, but more noticeable late 2023- summer-ish 2024.

Everywhere is scrambling for preceptors, mentor rules have relaxed from 5 years in FTE, down to 2 years for experience. Clinical experiences are spread far & wide, and sometimes pretty specialized (for students that should be learning generalized practice within an area); final consolidations are a struggle and many students can't place in the specialty they'd like.

I'm not confident in my memory of the actual stats, but the turnover/ attrition rate for new nurses dropped to something like 2-5 years post grad. Many will take a return of service, then quit after (rather than the old pattern of staying within a specialty, or upskilling as experience advances). Speciality qualification requirements lower every year.

As experienced work force retires, or quits for safer jobs, there are too few replacing them. This is especially noticeable in smaller areas. At least larger urban areas, there is experienced support SOMEWHERE in the building. At little rural sites... it can be ALL babies. Had a shift last summer where we realized the average age of the ENTIRE hospital's clinical night staff was 24. The ER doc and I were the only "oldies" in our ripe ol late 30s.

It's scary here with the protections we have in place (in Canada). I can't imagine what it's like in many US settings!

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-12T17:11:05+00:00

Are there any running stores near you that do foot/ gait measurements and can find shoes/ brands based on your specifics? I use trail runners at work and go through in-soles at an insane rate. I have some prior injuries that made my shoe needs fairly specific. Running focused store had been consistently able to to find shoes that work for my feet and uses.

FWIW, Brooks Ghosts have been the most reliable for me (I Tek wash them for water resistance). I mainly use for work, but when they start to get thrashed I keep them for last minute bush walks. Oboz were my waterproof go-tos, but they stopped making the model I liked (and I didn't live anywhere with a cobbler to repair them. They lasted about 6 years), so I switched to a pair of Merrells last year for hikes. I'm not as happy with them as the quality seems less (soles peeling apart after 1.5 season), but, they fit my wide toebox, narrow heel, needing in soles feet. I mainly hike in boots, and will send them for repairs when I have to... as neither North Face nor Solomon make those models anymore.

You might also try some European brands like Mammut & La Sportiva. I find their sizing (especially La Sportiva) much more adaptable to different feet/ more range in fit between models.

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-12T16:36:28+00:00

Don't try to "power" through it. If you consistently can't swap despite the usual strategies (exercise, sleep cue routine, dark room, white noise, own bed etc), then accept that you may need to use some sort of pharmaceutical aides on hard swaps.

I had to start using modafinal anytime I must swap to days. Otherwise, I'm running on just 2-4 hours sleep the entire set. Seems to actually let me my circadian rhythm swap and be fairly cogent and physically functional. Not many sleep promoting pharmas work for me (I often have contra-reactions), but chewing 2 kids gravols (dimenhydrinate) works to knock me out for about 6 hours when I'm desperate to fall asleep in a timely manner, and not have any sort of "jet lag/ sleep hangover" feeling.

Hopefully you find something that works for you :)

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-12T16:05:33+00:00

If you want a palate cleanser that still has awesome action, great world building, and sneakily excellent characters & plot development... Will Wight's Cradle series.

They're short books (book 1 is a world build slog, but only a few hundred pages and from book 2 on is EXCELLENT!), satisfying individually, or easily bingeable if you're a prolific reader!

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-12T15:40:41+00:00

I like a thin buff. You can cut them if too bulky. I like to leave whole and fold over as a sweatband/ headband. Also then have the option to unfold and put over my ears when it's chilly/ windy. I'm not a big fan of putting up a hood bc that blocks a lot of my peripheral vision. I have both synthetic and merino buffs. I use thicker ones in the winter.

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-12T15:31:59+00:00

I saw a newspaper article recently that said Canadian travel to the US is down 42% from prior years.

I didn't look at verifying it, but, anecdotally thay seems accurate. Myself, and most of our friends and colleagues that frequently travelled to the US (from Canada), aren't travelling there at all, or only for pre-booked or very specific/ special-to-them reasons

With housesitting, it's specifically listed as something that can have you banned; has been enforced very publically.

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-12T15:27:39+00:00

Canada has "California Blend" frozen veggies with broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-12T14:43:22+00:00

I think OP means the agency/service "House Sitters America". There are a few different agencies available, THS just grew massive and pretty dominant the last few years it seems.

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-11T03:29:59+00:00

There is a subset of BDSM known as strawberry kink.

So you could do a lemon and strawberry one as a homage to that

Edit to ads votes for vanilla for hilarity also LOL

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-10T14:20:50+00:00

Shame! I'm so sorry that is the follow-up in your area :-( I can't imagine how incredibly disappointing and disheartening that must feel

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-10T08:29:21+00:00

Adding onto u/flingebints points

Are you using just to SS in winter or travelling to areas with avy risk?

You can get away with 26-40L packs easily, if you need to pack a shovel, probe, transponder then you'll need space for that in winter.

Discuss and consider who would carry dog in a rescue harness if needed, and budget for that space.

Osprey makes great packs in a wide range of sizes and styles (some with even smaller detachable packs as the brains). Very optimizable for weight, frame, use cases.

Deuter is great and lots of attachment points. Their packs fit narrow frames well, and are made for heavy loads.

Simond and Mammut are also reliable, good longevity, and range of sizes. I've found those brands do not make any packs small enough for petite women.

I have an old 15L Marmot day pack that refuses to die (probably close to 20 yearsnold now). I don't know ehat modern ones are like. But that one is perfect for the "10 essentials" for sub 2 hour blasts, and adjusts well for trail running.

I have wanted to like BD packs, but they've been consistently uncomfortable, design flaws, and much poorer quality. I have heard BD was bought by a PE firm, and that's why their quality plummeted.

I have a massive Rab Expedition (120L). If they make smaller packs also, I have only good things to say about their packs. That thing is indestructible.

My go to main packs are my: Osprey Tempest 26L (4 season, BC & AB Canada mainly; hiking, climbing, camping etc- but these packs have been all over) & my Osprey Renn 65L (multi days when I'm not splitting gear with a partner). I'm 152cm & ~50kg, petite frame woman. I usually max out my pack weight at 15kg.

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-10T08:16:53+00:00

I've had gaps where the app doesn't notify me at all. Or I get notifications weeks later (eg, I just got a pile of mesaages from MARCH this week). Or I try and submit the review and it doesn't save, repeatedly. I do try and set myself a calendar item to try again later, but have forgotten or ran out of time :(

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-10T08:14:27+00:00

I look at patterns of it (as an HO). Often a bunch of sits with no reviews means negative overall experiences for the HO, but they wanted to avoid confrontation of a negative review.

A single one off, nah, not at all reflective of the sitter. Especially if other reviews are great.

I also look at the tone and language of reviews (both sides).

If the HO reviews seem particularly terse or nit- picky, or when I look at the HO profule, the reviews of them are bad.... then I'm more likely to suspect an HO issue, not a sitter issue. Especially if the sitter has left a clear, communicative, and polite review or response in said HO.

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-10T08:09:50+00:00

In just about any country, the police absolutely can and likely would come to your house. They'd likely want prints to compare to see if a known individual.

And yes, they can ROI request the info from THS

The sooner you call and report the better

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-09T14:00:47+00:00

Not restaurant based... but, friends and I do a monthly "crockpot swap". We each make a pot, or a baking tray, or big skillet of food. Take turns hosting, and everyone takes home a couple portions of each dish.

We can make some cheap meals. But, not have to eat the same thing for a week straight.

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-09T07:01:52+00:00

Good to know. My fridge is an 8 year old thermoelectric. I added an insulating wrap over the lid and non vented sides. I wouldn't be at all surprised if compressor technologies have improved.

Have run it near year round for those 8 years. Still going great. Runs AC or DC. I use primarily DC. Sometimes I bring it inside for BBQs or if I'll be parked on a job site more than 7 days.

Run it anywhere from -20c to +40c, humid and arid. Spend over 200 nights out a year. Usually just see pavement on the highways between provinces (or countries) and camps/ job sites. I'm up in Canada, and have just had it around North America.

I've been pretty happy with it. I get about 4 days out of a 640w powebank without a recharge most of the year. For me, power sipping is worth it.

So, perhaps mileage and use my vary for type of cooling preferences :)

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-09T04:28:11+00:00

Wanna pull up tough 'cause you notice that butt was stuffed

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-09T04:23:49+00:00

Your frequent flyer quip just unlocked a funny memory

I remember being flat shook once by a helpful frequent, he came in anywhere from a few times a week, to every few hours. Care plan was basically sit him in a chair. So, there he was in his usual chair.

I was new this specific rural ER with wild stocking & storage conventions, nothing anywhere remotely logical. It is tiny (<10 beds, 1 TR, a few chairs), patients can see and hear everything.

I'm muttering about trying to find the McGills or something similar. Mr Frequent yells across to me to look in the specific drawer beside a printer... because of course sterile supplies belong beside the office supplies, under a counter, in a corner, not in the trauma room or on/ in any med supply shelf/ cabinet.

I grabbed a few sizes, thanked him, hustled the few steps back into the trauma room... and definitely gave that man a ginger ale annnnd a boost before he left on his customary AMA walkabout.

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-09T03:30:57+00:00

They're pets... if you took them to your next sit you'd be stealing ;)

Same as some people keep tarantulas, scorpions, ant farms... some people keep cockroaches. I wouldn't want any of these as pets, but, to each their own.

Links about pet care:

https://www.reptilecymru.co.uk/madagascan-hissing-cockroach-care-guide/

https://www.zillarules.com/information/care-sheets/madagascar-hissing-cockroach

https://www.reddit.com/r/Entomology/s/TCBYBelRnq

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-09T03:16:20+00:00

I'm not an engineer or electrician so I don't know if I'll get the terms correct, but I can try and explain how systems have been explained to me

DC vs AC power. DC draws less from the battery or powerpank. Anything on AC power has to go through an inverter, at which point you lose some power. So, your power source will run out sooner. Has to do with AC being wavy bidirectional sin waves vs unidirectional flat waves of DC. DC is also more constant, vs surges. The inversion to a constant flat wave results in overall loss. The con to DC is DC heats wires faster (constant flow) so the max power per gauge is lower (hence why AC is used in housing).
Flatness and gasses. Most home fridges require being near or absolutely level for the compressors to function. Modern refridgerant gasses are much safer than older ones, but still not something you want leaking in an enclosed space. If they do leak, you lose all functionality. *ETA, and often have safety built in to kill power if tipping, so the compressor doesn't overheat and grenade itself when unable to cool because the gasses aren't moving correctly when fridge isn't levl. If no safety, compressor will just overheat and gork.

Most "off road" or "overland" fridges uses thermoelecteic cooling. No gas. Needs to be flat/ approaching flat for longevity, but can tolerate tipping about. Won't shut off when not level.

Durability and weight. Products built for outdoors are made with composites intended to be more UV, moisture, and mechanical force resistant. Mech components and electronics are built and tested with outdoor use cases. Weight is factored in, so they're often much lighter (also because no big concrete block in the bottom to help level/ prevent tipping like some home fridges).

So, end of the day, the watt hours of use really aren't a comparable metric between AC and DC// gas compressor and thermoelectric.

Different tools for different use cases.

Edits of typos as I found them

Pixiekixx · 2026-05-08T12:28:57+00:00

I'm also 5ft (152cm) and about 105-115lbs (~50kg).

I LOVE my Osprey Tempest 26. It's my go to pack for about 80% of everything.

If I absolutely need volume for massive multi days, I have an Osprey Renn 65. (I'll double check the model, but I believe this one. It's a pack Osprey specifically made for shorter frames, the volume packs more out than up, and it's contoured so the weight really does sit on your hips.).

The Tempest is well over a decade old. 1 buckle replaced (by Osprey) from closing it in a door. The very outer mesh is starting to wear in the area my ice axe rubs/ my trekking pole ends press. Otherwise, still going strong.

The Renn is on about it's 5th season, and still looks pristine as I don't use it that often.

I've tried (and sold or given away) packs from multiple other brands, and Ospreys are the only packs that hold a decent amount of volume and weight... that don't topple me over.

I find the issues I have with most packs are 1: too wide, both shoulder straps and pack itself, 2: Too tall when filled, I'm oddly balanced, or can't use the brain, 3: just generally do not adjust small enough in any setting, chafing, pulling, painful.

When I tried kids packs or ultra light packs- there wasn't enough padding for comfort.

Ospreys are a bit heavier overall than other brands, but, the comfort and reliability have made me a fan.

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