What's in My Pack for the PCT

As I anxiously watch the air quality index, I figure it's time to get my pack ready in case I decide to go right away on my two-day run southbound on Section J of the PCT. We have had smoke in the Seattle area from forest fires in BC, Canada, and in eastern Washington, and the air quality index was 179 yesterday, classified as "unhealthy for everyone." Yikes. I may decide last minute to go the next day, and I want my pack ready.

Here's what's in my pack:

Note: I changed out #20 for a taller, narrower bottle (same brand). It fits in my front vest pocket better, is still 17 oz., and has a wider mouth so it will be easier to put Perpetuem in it.

1. Montbell down jacket (for sleeping)

2. Ibex Woolies 3 pants (for sleeping)

3. Bug netting sewed to a headband

4. Sleeve Stars ankle compression sleeve (in case I twist an ankle)

5. North Face Better Than Naked tank top (for changing into to wear under my jacket)

6. Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20

7. Z-Packs down hood (for sleeping)

8. Reflectix (sleeping mat with an R-value of 9)

9. My "tivy" (tent-bivy that I sewed myself with Dyneema waterproof, breathable fabric)

10. Titanium tent stakes (3)

11. DHEA, probiotic, 3 mg time-released melatonin, 15 SPF lip balm, duct tape

12. Trail notes (junctions, water stops, maps of junctions)

13. First aid kit, hydration salts

14. Paper towels and baggie (for pottying)

15. Black Diamond Z-Pole

16. Bear spray

17. Petzl e+LITE headlamp

18. GoPro Session 5

19. Spot Gen3 satellite messenger

20. HydraPak Stow Water Bottle 17 oz (for mixing Perpetuem and Tailwind Recovery in)

21. Katadyn BeFree 20 oz water filter/bottle

22. Ultimate Direction 50-oz bladder

23. Hammer Perpetuem, 6 scoops per bag (2 bags plus one also inside #24)

24. Toaks Titanium 450 ml Cup, Evernew Titanium Alcohol Stove w/ 1 oz alcohol, 6 waterproof matches, nylon cord to hang my food in my pack at night, and Perpetuem inside

25. Tailwind Endurance Fuel (2 bags for 40 oz. and one for 32 oz.)

26. Vega Sport Energizer (for morning of day 2)

27. Tailwind Recovery drink (single serving for end of first day)

28. Vegan trail food: Backpacker's Pantry Spaghetti and Sauce, Louisville Vegan Jerky, Good-To-Go Herbed Mushroom Risotto; GSI Outdoors Essential Spoon

29. Z-Packs 30 down bag and waterproof stuff sack

And here's my pack, fully-loaded:

My pack weighs 8 pounds, 13 ounces without water. My goal was to have it under 8 pounds, and originally, it was 7. But adding things like a first aid kit, lip balm, an extra bag of fuel, and a slightly longer sleeping mat all ads up!

Here's what I'll be wearing for the fastpack:

1. Garmin Fenix 5X and Garmin Forerunner 25 (using Fenix for map both days and distance the second day, and the Forerunner for distance part of the first day)
2. Merrill Agility Peak trail shoes
3. Blue Steel Anti-Chafe Cream
4. Feetures cushioned socks
5. Prescription sun glasses
6. Moving Comfort Crossback Sports Bra
7. Moving Comfort underwear
8. Buff hat
9. Halo headband (has a channel to move sweat to the sides, keeping it out of your eyes)
10. Athleta Sunlover UPF Tulip Back Long Sleeve Top
11. R-Gear Recharge Compression Printed 8" Shorts

In the car for when I finish the fastpack, I will also have supplies. It will include

• Tailwind Recovery drink
• Water w/ Vega Hydration Electrolytes
• Sandwich
• Wipes (to clean up)
• Change of clothes
• Teva sandals
• Best of all, John (my husband)

The countdown is on and I am getting excited!

Fastpack Gear

One of the funnest parts about planning for the fastpack, besides the training, is figuring out what gear I am going to use. My goal is to have my pack be under seven pounds without water. I have to consider the following:

• Running pack/vest
• Food
• Water vs. water filter, hydration pack
• Clothes to sleep in
• Sleeping bag
• Tent or bivy
• Sleeping mat
• Headlamp
• Spot/emergency contact

For the pack, I was hoping to go with a women's specific running vest, but I wasn't sure if there would be enough room. I love my UltraVesta from Ultimate Direction, so I ordered the Aventure Vesta, also a women's specific running vest. It didn't look like it was going to have room for the gear, so I also ordered a 20L fastpack from Ultimate Direction, which was on clearance at the time for only $79.95. You can only get the 15 or 25L Fastpack now (https://ultimatedirection.com/fastpack-25/). I didn't get any perks for suggesting Ultimate Direction or any other brand I mention. I just like their running packs because they don't move at all, are well designed, and fit well.

The two packs arrived, but before I could decide which one I was going to keep, I had to order the rest of the things I was going to pack. I ordered three freeze dried meals, a collapsible water bottle with a built in filter, Ibex Woolies 3 pants and hoodie, two different options for a sleeping mat, and an ultra light sleeping bag. Once I had assembled all my gear, I tried out the two different packs; I sent the Aventure Vesta back. It turns out that, though light, most of my gear is really fluffy! The 20L Fastpack weighs in at 18 oz.

For the freeze dried food, I ordered three different vegan meals. Since I don't want to carry a stove or fuel, my plan is to hydrate the food with cold water. I think if I let it soak long enough, it will be edible. I don't care about having hot food. I plan to test out each of the three meals and see which one hydrates the best. I will probably pack two of them on the actual fastpack. Two food packages weigh 8 oz. total.

Normally, I use a lot of energy gels, but they are actually relatively heavy, so I am only planning to pack two caffeinated. My favorite is Accel Gel and Second Surge, both made by Pacific Health Labs, because they taste good and have protein, but since becoming a vegan, I have been trying out new ones. So far, I am happy with Clif gels, but they don't have protein. I have tried Luma, which basically tastes like jam. They are made from chia seeds. I get protein from them, but they seem to give me heartburn. I will probably resort to Hammer Perpetuem designed for all-day endurance as a liquid meal. Two gels weigh 2 5/8 oz, and six Perpetuem servings (one in a mixing bottle) weigh 4 5/8 oz. I'll also need five servings of Vega electrolytes, which are 1 oz. total.

I am going to need to refill my water bottle and bladder several times on the fastpack. I have a LifeStraw, but I couldn't figure out a way to use that with the bladder. Instead, I decided on Katadyn Be Free Water Filtration System, which I ordered from Amazon. I plan to fill it at a stream, and then squirt the contents into my bladder. The 50 liter bladder I'll use is also from Ultimate Direction. I've had a 70 liter one for years, and it has never leaked. I will only put 30 oz in the bladder to start. Water weight is just too heavy and I can always refill. Empty, the bottle and bladder weigh 4 oz.

Ibex Woolies 3 was my hands-down choice for night-time clothing. Sadly, Ibex just closed shop, so getting their clothes in the future will be next to impossible. Most of the gear is merino wool. but their Woolies 3 is a wool blend. I used it at Cascade Pass this fall, when I had run up, sweated my shirt wet, and then had lunch; resting combined with wind makes for a chilly recipe, but my Woolies 3 cut the wind beautifully. I got the pants (not running tights) and a hoodie. They weigh 18 oz. total.

I already had a Thermarest for backpacking, but it's just too heavy at 10.5 oz. I scoured other blogs and internet articles and settled on Gossamer Gear, a closed foam option. I still haven't decided on whether I'll take the mat or the sitting pad. The SitLight Camp Seat, weighing in at 2 3/8 oz, is a little bit short, and the Nighlight Sleeping Pad at 6 oz is too big for my pack even trifolded. I will probably have to use the sitting pad.

For the sleeping bag, I went with a ZPacks classic sleeping bag, rated for 35 degrees. They're not cheap, but they are warm, pack down small, and are incredibly light. They come with a waterproof stuff sack.The bag is 14.6 oz. I also decided to make a bivy/makeshift tent of my own from ZPacks material. I will follow up later with a detailed post when I actually make it.The weight should be 4 oz.

I'll also have to pack my headlamp (1 oz.) and I plan to buy a new Spot Satellite Messenger (4 oz. with lithium batteries). I think I am also bringing one titanium running pole at 4 7/8 oz.

The tiny Petzl E-lite has a whistle on the head strap and a carrying case. Ill leave the case behind.

Everything sounds really light, but it all adds up! Right now, I am under 5 pounds without the pole and without water.