Hi Norts
Thanks for the kind offer. I have been digging around the internet and decided to go straight to plan B, light weight stuff. Tracked down a source of 1.5mm dyneema guy line and line locks to suit. And maybe another pair of waterproof pants, and, oops hang, there I go again spending heaps on gear, maybe not them but then they are the Montane Superfly pants

Lets check sizing, no too short. Credit cards gives a sign of relief, maybe just the guyline and line locks and a few titanium pegs this time round.
Now back to rant.
The above is a classic example what I do and is not uncommon with other walkers. Can not find what you after locally so go online.
Had the line locks been around they would have generated a sale for 3mm guy rope and Sea to Summit star pegs. Now that is not going to happen. Also I likely would have brought two more long snow pegs for the Nallo locally but looks like overseas order. Might beef it up with some Montane Terra pants so no sales of clothing either to the local shops. Oh yes, does Kathmandu, Mountain Design, Snow Gum, Paddy Pallin and MacPac even have DWR coated walking trousers? Frankly past caring as once online I can get what I want rather than someone attempting to sell me travel pants as bushwalking gear. The demise of the bushwalking shirt is almost complete in most chain store line ups.
A chain store is happy to liberate over $400 for a pack from you but you can not buy a replacement buckle. Flog you a $800 tent but no additional guy lines or replacement ones. Sell you gaiters but no replacement under-strap. Over two hundred walking poles can be had but no replacement tips or straps. Go online and the stuff is there. Once online you might as well keep shopping.
I agree WalkinTas, never in Launceston have so many bushwalking shops existed but never has it been so hard to get spare bits and pieces. The issue is with the centralised buying officers that simply see an opportunity to flog home brand stuff instead of specialise company stuff. They appear to have no regard for ensuring longevity of their products through stocking spares. MD no longer stock 70 Mile Bush walking socks but have their own brand. No thanks, Snowgum did this and while Wilderness Wear inner stocks would last a long time the home brand barely made one trip without holing.
In the past you were largely held hostage to the shops but now with the internet you are not. Good local shops like say Passion 8 in Hobart offer a range and while not always be exactly what I want at least section is for bushwalking, not travel the wear market dressed up as suitable for bushwalking. Have not had a chance to check out their spares. Be interested if they have a reasonable collection.
The best indicator of a bushwalking shop as opposed to an upmarket army disposal type store ot travel shop was given on this site by another poster. Basic question. Do they sell maps. If no, then they are not a bushwalking shop despite what might have been an illustrious past.
So endith this chapter of the rant.
Cheers
"lt only took six years. From now on, l´ll write two letters a week instead of one."
(Shawshank Redemption)