In a few days, I’ll begin my attempt to break the Women’s Self-Supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail. The record stands at 54 days 7 hours 48 minutes and is held by hiking legend, Heather “Anish” Anderson. Anish set this record way back in 2015 yet nobody has been able to beat it yet. With over 14,000 miles of thru-hiking under my belt and years of training in the White Mountains on New Hampshire along the Appalachian Trail, I feel I’m ready for the challenge.
A major component of this effort is that I have to carry all of my own gear, food and water for the entire journey. I’ll also have to walk in to any towns to pick up resupply boxes, shower, recharge electronics etc. since I cannot accept any support such as hitches or shuttles.
To give myself the best shot I can, I’ll carry as little as possible. Burgeon has outfitted me with their new Alpha Direct 90 hoodie. I’m stoked about how light it is yet how warm it can keep me when I encounter cool evenings and rainy days. I’ll also wear my go-to hiking t-shirt, Burgeon’s Sunseeker T-Shirt. I wore this t-shirt on the Arizona Trail and the New England Trail this spring and then throughout my extended training block here in the White Mountains this summer. This shirt keeps me cool and sits lightly on my skin, allowing for ample airflow, a huge benefit during intense summer hikes.
Backpack: Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 (33.9 oz)
Shelter: Gossamer Gear The DCF Whisper (9.8 oz)
Ground Sheet: Gossamer Gear Polycryo (3.65 oz)
Quilt: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Apex 40 (18.77 oz)
Sleep Pad: Gossamer Gear Torso Foam Pad (2.8 oz)
Shelter Stakes (6) MSR Mini Groundhogs (.35 oz)
Hoodie Mid-Layer: Burgeon Outdoor Alpha Direct 90 Hoodie (5.5 oz)
Rain Jacket - Montbell Versalite Women’s Jacket (5.8 oz)
Sunseeker T-Shirt: Burgeon Outdoor Sunseeker T-Shirt
Bra: Icebreaker Merino Blend Sprite Racerback Bra
Shorts: Patagonia Baggies
Underwear: Icebreaker Siren Bikini
Shoes: Altra Lone Peak 9
Socks: (2) Smartwool Hike Mid-Crew (2.5 oz)
Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon
Fanny Pack: Osprey Ultralight Stuff Waist Pack
Water Filter: Sawyer Squeeze (3 oz)
Battery Pack: (2) NB10000 Gen 3 Ultra-Slim (5.29 oz)
GPS Device: Garmin Inreach Mini 2 (3.5 oz)
GPS Watch: Garmin Enduro 3
Charging Blocks and Cords: (3 oz)
Toilet: Deuce of spades UL Weight: 0.45 oz
Toiletries/Medications: (7 oz)
Water Bottles: (2) Smart Water Bottles (1.2 oz)
Total: 7 lbs
I hope you'll follow along with my effort, I'll post on Instagram when I have a minute so follow me there @seltzerskelter Huge thanks to my friends at Burgeon Outdoor for helping make this effort a reality! Happy hiking!
Comments
My friend and I are loving your gear list and checking gear that is new to us. Two questions: what does your food look like? I want to know know what toiletries you take. I feel like that’s what breaks my ultralight weight.