After crossing the glacial Gataga River - the waters flowed past my pommel and filled my saddlebags - my hiking boots were soaked!  After a couple days of soggy feet, I broke down and tried to dry my boots by the fire....  which Wayne sagely advised me that more often than not people regret... 

and... as the smell of burning plastic filled the air, i cursed my desire for dry feet and feared 10 days of riding and climbing the scree in my unsupportive camp shoes at worst, or uncomfortable duct-taped hiking boots.... which one was worse again?!?!

Fortunately the next day was a rest stop, and between Wayne's stitching awl and extra leather from a broken latigo, and some epoxy out of a thermarest patch repair kit, Nick MacGyver'd my hiking boot back into a safe and comfortable and supportive boot that lasted the remainder of trip and beyond!