Found a surprising stat about the Pacific Crest Trail water carries

I was reading the PCT water report from last year and saw that the average carry between reliable sources in the Southern California section is 4.7 miles, not the 5-6 I always planned for. This came from the 2023 hiker survey data posted on the PCTA website. It made me rethink my whole water weight strategy for the first 700 miles. I used to pack for a full 6-mile gap, which meant extra pounds. Now I plan for 5 miles max, which saves weight on most stretches. Has anyone else adjusted their water plans based on recent trail data?

A talk with my plumber buddy made me see scribing in a whole new way

I was having a beer with my friend Dave, who's been a plumber for like 25 years. We were complaining about weird old houses, and he said something that stuck with me. He was talking about fitting a new vanity into a bathroom where the walls were way out of square, and he said, 'Man, I just stopped fighting it. I stopped trying to make the cabinet square to the wall and just scribed the whole back to match the wonkiness. It looks perfect now.' It hit different because I realized I've been doing the opposite for years, forcing things to be plumb and level even when the house isn't. I tried his approach on a built-in bookcase last week in a 1920s bungalow, just scribing the sides to the plaster. It went in smooth as butter and the client loved it. Have any of you switched from 'correcting' the house to just working with its quirks?

Finally sprung for a proper headset radio after a close call

Cost about $350, but the noise-cancelling mic saved a bad situation when a spotter's hand signal got blocked by a beam. What do you guys run for clear communication on a loud site?

I used to think those $15 chain checkers were a total scam, but one saved me from a customer's bad review last week.

This homeowner in Phoenix wanted me to 'just top it' to save $500

I was out giving a quote on a massive old mesquite tree in their backyard. The thing was a beast, maybe 40 feet tall with a huge spread. I explained the deadwood, the crossing limbs, the whole proper reduction plan to get it healthy and safe. The guy just looked at me and said, 'Can't you just chop the top 10 feet off? My buddy said that's way cheaper.' I had to explain, again, that topping creates a million weak water sprouts and basically dooms the tree. He got all huffy and said I was just trying to upsell him. It's so frustrating when people think they know better after watching one YouTube video. How do you guys handle clients who insist on bad practices to save a buck?

My neighbor in Boise said a clean chimney is a waste of money if you don't burn wood often

He only uses his gas fireplace a few times a year and argued that a full sweep every season is overkill. He said his guy just does a quick camera check for maybe $80 instead of the full $250 job. It got me thinking, because I've always stuck to the annual rule for safety, no questions. But for folks with gas or who barely use their fireplace, is the full physical sweep still the standard? Where do you all draw the line on service levels for different use cases?