Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

If I were doing the GD then I would strongly consider packing flatplates or running doublesided SPD pedals to allow for options in the event of strain around the knee/ankle.

Jill Homer did just the latter due to problem with her feets during the Iditarod Trail.

She said it's the best decision she made after the ride (rode with running shoes + cheap flat pedals).