Hi Mel, I've tried with Trekitt by phone, I thought they would take it but they said the tag has a bar code unique to the specific item. Anyway, I tried and they didn't get it. I like Trekitt, my fault in not keeping the tag, it was looped on, not a plastic push-through, I could easily have kept it.
Yes I've also had problems finding 'Altus' on Lowe-Alpine's website but try Trekitt or just google it instead. They have them in Cotswolds, the smaller 42:47 is there only in black, it's not discontinued, I think it's selling well if Cotswolds stocks it.
I've got 4 weeks before my Nepal trip. I'm always training, so nothing special for this trek, though actually a bit of running as I find this shock-proofs my joints best of all. And a lot of stretching to get my back as cool as I can, and hopefully back in the gym soon as poss to get back to squats and deadlifts. A back issue has kept me out for a week, but I do a lot of bodyweight exercises and for this trip added loaded box step-ups, multi-directional lunges and squats on a Bosu (if anyone understands all that...)
I don't walk as much as I'd like in the UK, being down in The Smoke, but I've done a number of Alta Vias in the past couple of years and this is my third trek in Nepal - oh I didn't say, I'm doing Everest Base Camp + the 3 passes, and still open to anyone joining me, if only to get the price down. I'm paying US$1912 for the 3 week trip with a guide, lodging, and 3 meals a day and flights to and from Lukla. Not bad, would be cheaper with another walker. I'm a young 60 -ha ha, probably loads of similar people like that round here. The '60' bit doesn't give a fair idea of me but it's just my 'truth in advertising'...!
If anyone can show me how to upload photos from files on my Mac, I'd post them.