PCT Gear
In the military we have a saying…No plan survives first contact with the enemy.
But you have to start out with some sort of plan. After over two years of researching gear for a PCT thru-hike, I have what I believe to be the pieces of kit that will help me get to the Canadian border.
Some long-distance backpackers go to extreme efforts to minimize the weight of their gear. These “ultra-light” hikers utilize the lightest gear available and eliminate all but the most essential of items in an effort to bring their base weight (weight of backpack and gear minus food, water and fuel) to around 10 pounds. While I’m not going to those extremes, I have tried to minimize the weight I have to carry on my back in an effort to save my 41-year-old knees. My base weight comes out to about 16 pounds. I then expect to be carrying an additional 10 to 12 pounds of food and water weight.
Below, I have listed the gear I’m starting with on the PCT, broken up into various categories
The “Big Four”
- ULA Catalyst backpack
- Zpacks Duplex tent
- Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite inflatable sleeping pad
- Enlightened Equipment Revelation 10 degree quilt (in Zpacks dry bag)
Clothing – Worn each day
- Columbia Silver Ridge Lite hiking shirt
- Patagonia 5” Strider Pro shorts
- Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 socks
- Dirty Girl ankle gaiters
- Altra Lone Peak 4 shoes
- Trucker hat
- UV Buff
- Sunglasses
Additional clothing layers in my backpack
- Smartwool Merino 150 short sleeve base layer top
- Smartwool Merino 150 base layer bottom
- Darn Tough extra socks (2)
- Zpacks Goose Down sleeping socks
- Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie
- Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket and Pants
- Zpacks Brushtail Possom gloves
- Outdoor Research sun gloves
- Smartwool beanie hat
(Apparently I like the color blue)
Cook System
- MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe stove
- Compressed fuel canister
- TOAKS 1300 ml titanium cook pot
- TOAKS titanium long handle spoon
- Sea to Summit collapsible mug
- Homemade reflectix pot cozy
- Homemade reflectix cook pouch
- Bic mini lighter
- Bandana for cleaning
- Zpacks bear bagging food storage kit
Water system
- Smartwater 1L bottles (2)
- Sawyer Squeeze water filter
- Gravity feed tube and adapter fittings
- CNOC Vecto 2L storage bladder
Toiletries Items
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap
- Hand Sanitizer
- Sun block
- Lip balm
- Gold Bond body powder
- Gold Bond skin therapy cream
- Foot Glide anti-blister balm
- The Deuce #2 trowel
- Combat Wipes
- Toilet paper
Electronics (in Zpacks dry bag)
- iPhone 11 Pro and OtterBox case
- Garmin inReach mini
- Garmin D2 Charlie wristwatch
- Sansa MP3 player and headphones
- Black Diamond Iota headlamp
- Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 PD battery pack
- Anker PowerPort PD2 wall adapter
- Various USB recharging cables
Additional Gear
- Black Diamond Trail Ergo cork trekking poles
- Zpacks sun umbrella
- Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat sit pad
- Sea to Summit Aeros pillow
- MT Knives neck knife
- First aid kit
- Chums lightweight camping wallet
- Bandana
- Rawlogy cork massage ball
- Eyeglasses in cloth case
High Sierras Gear
I will be adding some items to my kit at Kennedy Meadows, California (entry point to the High Sierras). Beyond this point, I will need an ice axe and micro spikes to contend with snow and ice conditions as I traverse the high altitude snowfields and passes of the Sierras. Also, hikers are required by federal regulations to carry their food in a bear canister for a stretch of over 300 miles through multiple national parks and national forests. This canister alone adds two pounds of weight to my backpack…but hey, I hear it makes for a great camp chair! Here are the additional items I’m taking into the High Sierras, beginning at Kennedy Meadows.
- CAMP Corsa ice axe
- Kahtoola MICROspikes
- Snow baskets for trekking poles
- BearVault BV500 bear canister
- Polar Buff
- Showa 281 waterproof gloves
- Smartwool Merino 150 long sleeve base layer top
- Sea to Summit mosquito head net
- Tenkara USA Sato fishing rod and tackle
I’ll let you know what I kick out of the pack in what will likely be a futile attempt to appease my poor, aching back and legs! I’ll also let you know if there are any additional items that find their way into my pack along the way.