A PostSecret with a Backcountry Twist

I often read PostSecret, and I knew I had to share this one when I saw this postcard on today's secrets.

Fastpacking the John Muir Trail

One week out, and the planning is nearly done. There will be six of us on our fastpacking trip down the John Muir Trail. The permit was secured about 4 months ago. The food storage requirements have been thoroughly investigated, the gear list fine tuned multiple times, and last week we mailed our food resupply.

A little unbelievable that two of us were able to entirely fill a 5 gallon bucket for 4 days of food, and a little scared that it still won't be enough calories. We are planning on a little over 4,000 calories per person per day, and struck a pretty good mix of calorically dense food and lighter foods that always sound appealing.

Last on our list is dealing with the shuttling and vehicles. We have six of us from 3 different geographic regions coming together for this trip, and ideally will end up with at least one car on either end of the trail.

If you are not familiar with “fastpacking”, a quick Google search will provide a little history. Essentially, taking less and moving faster on the trail. My pack without food and water will be just under 15 lbs, and just after the food resupply it will hit its maximum weight of around 28 lbs.

So what gear made the list? I will have several other pieces with me pending the final weather forecast, but this is what I am planning on taking at this point:

Uppers - Rain Shell, light down jacket, long sleeve top, short sleeve top

Bottoms - Rain Pants, long underwear, running shorts

Other - Shoes, 2 pair socks, wool hat, Sun Hat, sunglasses, regular glasses, midweight gloves, backpack, hiking poles, 30 degree down bag, air mattress, headlamp, camelback, glasses case, cellphone, tp, trowel & hand sani, camera with extra battery, watch, sunscreen, bear canister, map set, and personal kit (first aid, knife, tape, lighter, earplugs etc.)

Group gear – several tarps & groundcloths, 2 stoves and fuel, 2 water filters

Here is the gear laid out:

And ready to pack:

And Packed:

I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes....

(Edit - Click here for the first of 4 trip reports)

Help Leave No Trace up to $10,000 this week!

By shopping at your favorite North Face store next week, May 4th - 10th, you can help Leave No Trace earn up to $10,000! REALLY!

The North Face is donating 5% of every purchase you make next week to Leave No Trace, AND then matching that 5% dollar for dollar! That means 10% of your purchase will be donated directly to Leave No Trace, with the potential to earn up to $10,000. Getting involved is simple: just mention Leave No Trace at checkout, or bring the above code in with you, to your nearest North Face store.

Have someone with a birthday coming up? Need new clothes for the spring time? Replacing your tent? Head to your nearest North Face store next week, and mention Leave No Trace at the checkout.

This fundraiser is only happening at North Face retail stores. Want to find the one nearest to you? Visit The North Face website.