OUTDONE – A Seattle woman, 34, has set an unsupported speed record for hiking the 2,189-mile Appalachian Trail through 14 states from Maine to Georgia in 54 days, 7 hours and 48 minutes. Heather Anderson (trail name “Anish”) is no fleeting moment in trail-record history.  In 2013, she set the unsupported backpacking speed record for the 2,663-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada in 60 days, 17 hours and 12 minutes. On Thursday, after averaging 42 miles a day since Aug. 1, she walked off Springer Mountain in Fannin County, Georgia, the way she started the odyssey on Maine’s Mount Katahdin – alone. Anderson is the first to hold the unsupported record on the AT and the PCT simultaneously. She achieved “unsupported” status by packing her food, mailing it to food drops along the way, collecting what she needed herself, and carried her own supplies, water and shelter. On July 12, ultra marathoner Scott Jurek, 41, set a supported speed record for the Appalachian Trail in 46 days, 8 hours, 8 minutes, boosted by a team shuttling his stuff.

Anderson has broken the AT unsupported record of 58 days, 9 hours, 38 minutes set in 2013 by Matthew Kirk. The previous women’s unsupported record was 80 days, 13 hours, 30 minutes set by Liz “Snorkel” Thomas. The women’s supported speed record of 46 days, 11 hours, 20 minutes was set in 2011 by Jennifer Pharr Davis. Considered unathletic as a kid, Anderson wrestled with weight issues until she discovered her love for backpacking. But even after taking the leap from enjoyable hiking to the suffering of record attempts, she said she’s been pestered by self doubt as well as competitive naysayers. “The trail has a way of answering the questions you most need answered, even if you are afraid to ask,” she wrote in the first Facebook post announcing her record and her years of struggles with self-esteem. “I was too afraid to ask, but the trail knew the question in my heart: ‘Was the PCT a fluke?’ The AT answered with a resounding, ‘No!’  Every footstep was a commitment to face her perceived inadequacies, she said.

“So now, I walk off of Springer Mountain, alone just as I came. My pack, my feet, and my heart are light, unburdened at last.” OUTBUGS – The huge variety of colorful butterflies found in the region will be featured in a slide show by enthusiasts drumming up interest in a new Spokane-area chapter of the Washington Butterfly Association. The “show-and-tell” photo program is set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Spokane Public Library, Downtown Branch, 906 W. Main, Meeting Room 1A, said John Baumann of Spokane.Hydration system preferences are about as subjective as running shoes.  In other words, every single runner has a strong feeling about what they like and don’t like, but no single product is perfect for everyone. My philosophy with most running products, hydration systems included, is that if it works and is comfortable to you, then that’s what you should be using. Which is why I hadn’t switched my hydration system in a long time. For the past several years I’ve been using the Nathan HLP 008 Vest for long runs, and a simple handheld for anything under 2.5 hours. 

Recently I added the Ultimate Direction Jurek Essentials belt (an xmas gift from the lovely wife), which, in combination with the handheld, gives you plenty of storage space for light fuel and liquid on medium-length long runs. But the hype around the 2012 launch of the Ultimate Direction Signature Series packs, which includes the smaller Anton Krupicka Race Vest, a slightly larger Scott Jurek Ultra Running Vest, and an even larger Peter Bakwin Adventure Vest, was so big and the packs look so sexy that I almost caved.  mimco backpack ebayBut I didn’t, I kept running with my trusty Nathan pack.trauma o2 backpack This year, however, I knew it was time for a change. mythos laptop backpackI was planning some major outings and training for a 100 miler, and needed more room to carry gear than the Nathan could offer.  amazonbasics dslr and laptop backpack (gray interior)

After a ton of research on other brands and packs, I settled on the UD Anton Krupicka Race Vest and asked for it (from my wonderful mother) for my birthday.  A few weeks later it arrived and I haven’t looked back. Now you don’t see a lot of review posts on Rock Creek Runner because I don’t like to highlight gear unless I really believe in it.  I really believe in this pack. After a few long outings, including a 30 mile run this past weekend, I feel comfortable reviewing the AK pack and throwing my support behind it. Now for the info you’re really looking for… Weight: An ultra light 7.0 oz Fluid Capacity: The pack is designed to carry two bottles up front, and has a set-up to carry a water bladder in the back.  I haven’t tested the pack with a bladder, since the bottles up front have worked so nicely. Sizes: They offer two sizes, a S/M and a M/L.  I use the S/M and it fits perfectly. 1) How does it fit? I’m not the thinnest of dudes, but opted for the S/M based on the sizing chart. 

I followed the fitting directions located on the website, and the pack fit like a glove.  It’s low profile enough under the arms that you don’t know it is there. 2) How about the pockets? As I mentioned above, this pack has a variety of pockets, including the two bottle pockets, two smaller pockets below the bottles, too medium sized “Smart Phone” pockets above the bottles, and the main compartment in the back. During my most recent 30 mile run with the pack, here’s what I packed: All in all the only complaint I have about the pockets is that the medium pockets intended for phones don’t fit my phone.  The others are well placed, easy to access, and plenty large enough for an outing like the one I had. The main compartment could have held much more than I packed in, which was unexpected. 3) What about the bouncing? Have I mentioned how little bouncing I experienced yet?  I was truly amazed.  With heavy bottles up front, I felt certain I’d experience bouncing on the pack.

The pack rides so well I often forgot it was there.  There was zero bouncing caused by the gear in the main compartment, and no noticeable bouncing from the bottles.  Sloshing, on the other hand, that’s a different story.  But I guess that’s unavoidable. After 30 miles I experienced no chafing.  I even purposely avoided putting on lube around the pack’s touch points so that I could see where the chafing would take place (and make sure to avoid it in the future). Amazingly, I had none. The one issue I did notice was a bit of pressure discomfort on my chest from the bottles.  I didn’t notice this at all until the last 30-45 minutes of the run, so it wasn’t really an issue, just something that should be noted. 5) How about for women? Honestly, I don’t know.  I’d imagine the bottle placement would need to be slightly adjusted, so I’d recommend trying on the pack and making any major adjustments before ripping off the tags. Ultimate Direction has recently added a female specific line of products, designed by Scott Jurek’s wife Jenny, which includes a very similar vest called the Ultra Vesta.