Instagram story viewer> @littlestuff_pctsobo> Posts

Bear Patrol

@littlestuff_pctsobo

756

followers

803

following

🏕Hiker / Backpacker
🏔TCT ‘23, PCT WA ‘22, TT ‘24
🎒Ambassador @sixmoondesigns
🪜Step-mom
🌏 Humanitarian

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

SISTERHOOD

It’s happening. I committed to running my first 50k ultra marathon this year. @wildwomantrailruns here I come!

I’m intimidated, nervous, and in disbelief. But also giddy with excitement to see what this perimenopausal body can do. LFG!

Luckily, I have the support of the First 50k Sisterhood, a group of women from around the country joined together by a single mission: run our first 50k and close the gender gap in ultra running! Super thankful and honored to be connected with these badass women thanks to the @thecairnproject and excited to support the Summit Scholarships…more on that soon!

All things trail running and training coming soon!

#alwaystraining #getoutside #dohardthings #getafterit #badasswomen #wildwomensisterhood #wildwomentrailrunning #thecairnproject #myfirst50k #gowildliveyoung #trailrunning taken in On the Trail by @littlestuff_pctsobo

68

35

8 months ago

FALL REFLECTIONS

Cold and crisp, yet so cozy.

Spent the weekend writing in the woods, reflecting on some epic adventures.

The perfect reset before a period of recovery and renewal this winter.

#storytelling #getoutside #pctsobo #creativethinking #tellyourstory #writingretreat taken in Deep in the Forest by @littlestuff_pctsobo

20

1

19 hours ago

FALL IN PARADISE

🥾 13 miles
🏔 3000ft
🌕 65-70F
🎒15lbs

Is it even fall if you don’t visit Paradise Park? It’s becoming an annual tradition, and I don’t mind. Gorgeous views, fall colors, steady climbs and reuniting with friends. Miles are easy when you are catching up and connecting with beautiful souls.

Lessons Learned: Today was a good reminder to be prepared for more. We thought it was a 9 mile hike and ended up with 13 miles. Oops. Luckily we were all prepared but it wasn’t an issue. Except poor Cabo is exhausted. 😬

Gear Notes: Why don’t day packs come with real hip belts? A flimsy strap is worthless. Now I’m paying the price with neck and back pain. Annoying. And I know some do…but they also tend to be more liters than I need for a day hike.

#adventuremamas #paradisepark #timberlinetrail #pctoregon #sectionhiking #pctsobo #alwaystraining #getoutside #badassbabes #hikingwithdogs #traveloregon #wyeast #mthood by @littlestuff_pctsobo

40

7

15 days ago

SOLO FULL MOON

🥾 10 miles, 1 night
🏔 2940ft
🌕 35-45F
🎒20lbs

Finally. After an exciting and totally exhausting summer dedicated to work, I got out for a solo night with Cabo. The hike was chill and familiar, and staying overnight here has been on my bucket list. It didn’t disappoint, especially with the full moon and city views.

Lessons Learned: I’m exhausted. And even though I wasn’t really feeling it, getting outside, on a trail, in the woods, and sleeping in a tent was what the doctor ordered! It’s always what the doctor orders!

Gear Notes: Shoot, my tent zippers are messed up. I could barely zip my doors closed. Time to wash the tent and wax the zippers to see if I can get a few more years out of it.

#getoutside #solotrip #dohardthings #alwaystraining #morethannothing #backpackoregon #mcneilpoint #wyeast #mthood #adventuredog taken in Mcneil Point, Mount Hood by @littlestuff_pctsobo

66

19

19 days ago

VOLCANIC 25k

🏃‍♀️ 14.9 miles
🏔 3130ft
🌤️ 45-55F

Truth is, I’ve felt a little lost after finishing my 50k 6 weeks ago. I needed the rest and the time back from the intense training but I also need a goal to keep me motivated and accountable. That’s where I thrive. I’ve been eyeing the Loowit Trail in a day, whether self-supported or as the Volcanic 50k, but for lots of reasons it isn’t right this summer. I knew someone doing the 25k, and needed a micro-adventure. I didn’t really train for it. I’m exhausted from work/life. AND it was exactly what I needed. I had so much fun!

Lessons Learned: I over planned and over thought everything about the 50k. I learned a lot and didn’t have the capacity to apply that level of effort here. So I took some key lessons around fueling, chafing and hydration. But didn’t over think it. And it was sufficient and I had fun!

Gear Notes: Honestly, no notes. My shoes and socks worked great. Thankful for my dirty girl gaitors. My sun hoodie was the perfect layer. And my shorts worked fine. Given the temps and conditions, it all worked.

Photo credit @fontaine_rittelmann
Event kudos @gobeyondracing

#trailrunning #volcanic25k #loowittrail #getoutside #alwaystraining #runwashington #dohardthings taken in Marble Mountain Sno-park by @littlestuff_pctsobo

56

4

2 months ago

SECTION HIKING

Hi, I’m Bear Patrol and I’m section hiking the PCT SOBO.

One of the best section of PCT trail I’ve done yet is Section J. I’ve been doing sections of trail since 2022, when I took a sabbatical to do Washington. Next up…South from Santiam Pass, but not this year.

Normally I’d be packing my bag, planning meals and gearing up for another section about now. This year I’m dedicated to a career defining project I’ve been working on for more than a decade…and it launches in September. I’m excited for that moment, but am really missing the simple trail life this summer and the mental reset. I can’t have both.

AND, I am super excited two of my trail besties are starting their Section J journey soon. It’s going to be magical. And I’m so excited you get to have that experience, and together! ❤️

This video has been in my archives, waiting to be posted. In celebration of their upcoming journey, here is what you get to look forward to friends!

#pctwashington #SectionJ #sectionhiking #PCTsobo #pct2026 #getoutside #getafterit #dohardthings #backpacking #pctassociation #pacificcresttrail #ultralight taken in Alpine Lakes Wilderness by @littlestuff_pctsobo

31

8

3 months ago

OLD SNOWY

🏕️ 2 Nights
🥾21 miles
🏔 6270ft
🌤️ 45-75F
🎒29lbs

I love bringing people to Goat Rocks.
I’ve been there half a dozen times and it never gets old. The views, the wildflowers, the summit, the streams - it’s one of my happy places!

Last weekend Josh and I were lucky enough to take my nephew and my step-son to this alpine wilderness! I’ve been wanting to do a trip like this for years and it was so fun to show them this magical place, and see them discover the alpine beauty on their own. They also totally crushed the hike, and the summit day up Old Snowy. I kept pinching myself…I’ve been waiting for moments like these! My heart is full, core memories were built! ❤️

Lessons Learned: If the trail allows for it, save a view, or destination for the final day. We submitted Old Snowy on the 2nd day but saved Goat Lake for the hike out and it didn’t disappoint! It was our longest mileage day but when views abound, miles come easy.

Gear Notes: Over the years we have been fortunate to upgrade and add to our gear collection. We sell a lot of stuff we no longer use, but we keep a few items for trips like this. Which means we can loan out gear and I’m so thankful we could get these guys out on an epic adventure.

#jnkadventure #getoutside #backpackwashington #goatrocks #oldsnowy #wildflowers #alwaystraining #familytime taken in Goat Rocks Wilderness by @littlestuff_pctsobo

32

8

3 months ago

ANNIVERSARY ADVENTURE

🏕️ 3 Nights
🥾21 miles
🏔 4400ft
🌤️ 40-75F
🎒27lbs

❤️ We celebrated 10 years married earlier this month. ❤️

In true #jnkadventure fashion we opted for a backpacking trip. This time of year is always hard because it’s still early season for the high alpine. But given the low snow year, we found a new to us loop that had a bit of everything: river valley, old growth, rainforest, steep climbs, pristine lakes, ridge walking and volcano views!

Lessons Learned: Keep adventuring with your partner. We have lots of separate activities but have always loved backpacking together. A week long trip in 2011 started it all. And whether it’s a grueling 20 mile day or a chill 2 mile day, being outside together is a great place of connection and reconnection.

Gear Notes: Cabo has decided he LOVES sleeping at the foot of my quilt to stay warm. And he keeps us both TOASTY! But it’s also tight navigating a 35lb dog in your bag, on a narrow air mattress. Do I try to get a mama and me sized bag? Or see if he might like his own bag (very skeptical!)?

#happyanniversary #jnkadventure #backpacking #adventureswithdogs #backpackwashington #volcanos #adventurepartners #getafterit #getoutside #sixmoondesigns taken in Washington by @littlestuff_pctsobo

63

5

3 months ago

✨FIRST 50K✨

🏃‍♀️ 31.08 miles
🏔 4180ft
☀️ 57-72F

✨It’s been one week since the longest run of my life! Wow! Still in awe of the weekend, the community and the accomplishment.✨

HIGHLIGHTS:
❤️Meeting the @thecairnproject First 50k Sisterhood, it felt like coming home.
🏔️Spending time with the Adventure Mamas, I found my crew.
✨Meeting @rachel__entrekin and listening to her badass stories. In awe!
🪻Running through lupine fields with views of Mt Adams on the @wildwomantrailruns !
🐶 Seeing my bestie, my husband and my doggos at every aid station!
♨️ Soaking with new friends to celebrate!

RECAP: I woke the day before and day of feeling sick, and that freaked me out. But I wasn’t going to let a sore throat/stuffy nose stop me - thank goodness for onsite IVs! My fueling didn’t go as planned, and it was hotter than I wanted. But every time it felt hard, I’d smile. And the hard melted away. Showing up to do hard stuff is a choice and a privilege. AND, as women we have to overcome so much to get to the start line. We did it!

Lessons Learned: I had a robust fueling plan, and it involved a very detailed spreadsheet calculating my carbs, sodium and liquid intake. I had practiced it on many runs. It was working for me. At the first aid station I threw out the plan and adapted as I went mostly relying on gels and liquid endurance fuel and electrolytes to keep me going. Adaptation and flexibility are key.

Gear Notes: I haven’t found my running shirt of choice yet. I brought at least 8 options because I was so undecided. In the end I went with my reliable sun hoodie. But I’m looking for a super light weight t-shirt with a collar to prevent vest neck chafe. Suggestions?

#sisterhood #adventuremamas #cairnproject #getafterit #dohardthings #first50k #wildwomansisterhood #wildwoman50k taken in Mt. Adams by @littlestuff_pctsobo

81

26

4 months ago

BECOMING A WILD WOMAN

I’m still processing this weekend and what finishing my first 50k means, and the journey it took to get here. And I’m a bit overwhelmed, but also so proud, excited and totally exhausted.

More photos and race day reflections in due time.

First, a huge amount of gratitude to @thecairnproject @wildwomantrailruns @angvswild , @danisedlouhy , @yassinediboun , @kellyfuson , my fellow first50k sisterhood, the adventure mamas, my friends and family, my Tuesday night run club, my husband @j_shua_official and the voice that keeps telling me to try hard things even when the world around me tells me I’m not qualified.

#dohardthings #whynotyou #getafterit #first50k #wildwomensisterhood by @littlestuff_pctsobo

114

63

4 months ago

👏We need to talk about perimenopause and endurance training. Take it from Kirsten:

"I don’t hear enough from athletes in perimenopause trying to juggle everything. We aren’t acknowledging the juggling act it is for our bodies to be training while navigating huge hormonal shifts and all the side effects that come with them. This phase of life is a lonely space to occupy."

We're so proud of @littlestuff_pctsobo for writing about a topic so many of us are thinking about but that traditional media tries to scare us from. ❤️

Kirsten's also fundraised $1,000 through her First 50k Sisterhood experience to help more girls and women get on the trails.

Read her full blog post at the link for our blog! ✨
--
@thecairnproject's First 50k Sisterhood is a cohort of 15 women running their first ultramarathon at @wildwomantrailruns this June.

They'll share their stories through training, racing, fueling and beyond, all while fundraising $20,000+ for future outdoor sports scholarships for girls and women.

We're honored to have support from:

@microcosmcoaching's training plan and ongoing coaching
@lowaboots high quality footwear
@kellyfuson mindset and performance coaching
@tailwindnutrition fuel to power the miles
@run_slick anti-chafe to run longer without pain
@penandpaces custom bibs to celebrate race day
@your_yuckies for on-the-trail hygiene kits by @littlestuff_pctsobo

78

8

4 months ago

Happy Global Running Day!

This is what every 20-30 min of training runs for a 50k looks like…the super sweet, extra sticky side of training that I won’t miss.

Gels, gels and more gels!

Thanks @microcosmcoaching for all the endurance fueling tips and tricks! It’s working and makes me super appreciate when I get to eat raw or roasted veggies and salads!!

Less than three weeks until my first 50k @wildwomantrailruns !! taken in On the Trail by @littlestuff_pctsobo

33

13

5 months ago