The Stuff in my Pack
Here's what my pack looked like...it is a Hyperlite Elevate 22L pack. This is my third pack from this company (I have a 55L and a 17L) and I like the material and that it is an ultralight pack. I use the Ultra-Sil dry bags from Sea to Summit mainly for compression (they are waterproof).
To keep my passport safe, I added a pouch to my backpack (my pack has no secure internal or external storage pockets). The pouch turned out to be a win as I was able to unclip it and carry it in my pants/shorts pockets as needed. It was super roomy and I had all kinds of little souvenirs tucked inside with my passport.
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| The Kula Cloth was a must carry. I don't think the PEI red dirt will ever come off of my pack! |
Essentials vs Non-essentials
Before leaving Eugene, I met with Heather Kelez who had done the walk two years ago. Her advice for a summer walk: leave your coat and raincoat at home. You won't need them...and it is so muggy that if you have a raincoat on, you will be just as wet as if you aren't wearing one at all. So we left them all behind. There was one day when I was a little chilly, but I layered up and all was fine. The first time it rained, I used a trash bag as rain protection. I picked up a cheap poncho in Souris at the drugstore. It worked great.
As for my clothes, I brought a few items too many and had my friend Billy saved them for me in Charlottetown. I've winnowed down what I took to the lists below, which I think would be perfect for my next trip.
My Essential PEI Summer Items
- ultralight hiking umbrella (6oz) — I also ordered an umbrella holster from zpacks (they work nicely if you have daisy chains on your pack).
- Kula cloth
- mosquito net and repellant
- sunscreen
Hiking Clothes/Shoes
- lightweight hiking shorts
- Icebreaker 125 Cool-Lite™ t-shirt (men's because the sleeves are more comfortable)
- wool socks (2 pair minimum)
- underwear (2 pair) — Deluth Trading Buck Naked dry relatively quickly
gaiters to keep gravel out of your shoes - arm sleeves for sun/bugs
- bandana
- walking shoes
- lightweight sandals
Other Clothes
- clean outfit: lightweight shorts, shirt and pair of socks
- cool weather clothes: Woolx Base Camp hoodie and REI Trailmade pants
- PJ shirt (which could be worn if needed as an extra layer)
- Kelty line — travel essential for drying clothes, securing bags to your bike, etc.
- phone, charger, noise cancelling earbuds (for sleeping)
- tiny carabiners
- small velcro straps (like the kind you use for wrapping computer cables)
- inflatable Klymit sit pad — lightweight and can be used on a plane, on the ground or as a pillow.
- hydration bladder (2L)
- sunglasses/strap and/or case
Toiletries
- Chapstick
- toothbrush/paste
- comb
- Chamois Butt'r or other anti-chaffing
- basic first aid (moleskin, needle, bandaids)
- medications
Finally, my feet seemed to be wet a lot of the time. It was either condensation on the grass (a good reason not to walk on the "grassy shoulder" of the road), rain, or humidity. It was rough. I didn't know about the newspaper trick, but it would have helped. Unfortunately, the newer Darn Tough socks are just not the same as they have more synthetics in them and they were not a good match for me. I picked up some SmartWool socks in Summerside, but the only ones they had were pretty heavy. They worked out ok, but were not optimal for summer.
Stuff I would leave behind:
- hat — my umbrella was way better than a hat; plus hats are just too hot in humid conditions
- dice — too tired to play games
- bra — it was too humid and I gave it up on the third day
- Anything not on the lists above!
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| Two of my favorite things: my backpacking mug which I have used forever and my extra long spoon. |
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| This is how we carry duct tape Thanks for the tape Fred! |
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| Silicon toe "tube tops" from Fred. Keeps toes from rubbing together. |