PCT gear list

[Lauren P]

I'm planning a 2015 PCT thru hike, and it has made an excellent excuse to finally replace much of the heavy REI gear I had been using since high school. I'll be on the trail on April 28. Base weight is currently about 12.5 lbs. I've had a few months to test the gear on local trails and am fairly happy with the setup so far. I'd love your input on anything that should be added/removed.

http://lighterpack.com/r/4oo1hy

I'm particularly keen for input on clothing. I've used a sun shirt over a short sleeved t-shirt for rainforest fieldwork and have been pretty happy with it. I may send the sun shirt home after the desert. I strongly prefer running shorts or skirt over pants for hiking, but am considering purchasing a pair of wind pants for cold mornings and areas with lots of poison oak. I'm on the fence about camp shoes – I like trading the trail runners for flip flops at the end of the day, but I'm not sure if they're worth hauling along for an entire thru hike. I'm also debating whether it's worthwhile to purchase an umbrella. I've never backpacked with one before, but I know some people swear by them for shade and extra rain protection.

There's a small chance I could end up leaving with a different pack. I've been having issues with the shoulder straps on the circuit chafing my armpits, but since I like the pack otherwise I'll investigate the possibility of having the strap type changed.

And yes, the camera is very heavy. That item isn't negotiable : )

[Jennifer Mitol]

Nice looking list Lauren – I'm SOOOO envious – take me with you!

Anyway…

I'm a huge fan of hiking in shorts and using a combination of wind pants/leggings to supplement all kinds of conditions.
I like the Patagonia Houdini wind pants, but I far prefer the Montbell dynamo ones. I think they are even cheaper – they only come in mens sizes, but same with the houdini pants. I just got a big version (for my womanly hips you know…) and hemmed the legs. Love em.

I'd ditch the flip flops if it were me – I really like the lone peak 2.0s and actually never feel the need to take them off at the end of the day. I loosen the laces a bit, and yes, sometimes I'll walk around barefoot (carefully!), but i think you won't need the flip flops.

I question the need for TWO shirts during the day? Why not just use the nylon sun shirt for the desert, then switch out to something else once you hit the sierras? it's not much, but i can't see why the two shirts.

I also wonder about the need for the rain jacket in the desert? You'll have the wind shirt and the umbrella (i'm going to use one for the first time on the Colorado Trail this year – no one ever seems to regret taking one), as well as a nice shelter that you could use if, heaven forbid, the skies actually opened up on SoCal for once.

Are you just taking 1 pair of underwear? I go back and forth on this myself – I've yet to find a good set up that I feel happy and clean with.

As for the Circuit – do you have the S or the J straps? I've tried both and I'm a huge fan of the S versions now.

Have a great trip!!!!

[Lauren P]

Thanks for your input! This is my first thru hike and I'm super excited to get out there in just a few months

I'll have to investigate the Montbell wind pants – I totally thought that there was a women's version of the Patagonias, but after a little more investigation it looks like some sites just list the men's version in both sections

At the moment, the 2 shirts is because the sun shirt I already own is white and super sheer. It may be worthwhile and cooler to just get a more opaque sun shirt and switch in the Sierras as you suggest.

I'm taking 2 pairs of underwear that I'll rotate – 1 listed in the packed section, the other in worn clothing. I know some people take a 3rd pair just for sleeping but I haven't found this necessary as long as I change and wash one pair each night

I actually have the s-straps. I got them because they're generally recommended for women, but these flare out so much that the edge rubs against my armpits while I'm hiking. It hasn't been terrible so far on my training hikes, but I'm pretty sure it will cause some discomfort after many consecutive long days.

[Eli Zabielski]

This is a good looking list. Having that camera will be awesome. Here's what I think:

– I don't think you need a windshirt and rain jacket. If you decide to use an umbrella, you can ditch the rain jacket. Otherwise I'd ditch the wind shirt.
– I don't think you need gloves, at least for SoCal.
– No DEET needed for Socal.
– I think using 4 1L bottles would be annoying. You might like to trade two of those for a 70oz Platypus. The Platy can be stored very compactly when you don't need it. In some places, 3 empty 1L bottles will be a waste of 3L of space, and they will just get in the way.
– Is there a reason you want to use Postholers maps over Halfmiles maps, which are going to be brand new and up to date this season?

For wind pants I highly recommend the Montbell ones. I think you could leave behind your long underwear bottom if you had windpants. I think windpants are more versatile and easier to use since you can put them on without taking your shoes off. It's really easy to start the day off in wind pants for a couple miles, then take off you wind pants in about 30 seconds and keep walking. My Dynamo pants definitely saved me one night from some dense poison oak around mile 415. You might keep your long underwear since they are more comfortable to sleep in (if you care) and would add extra warm in addition to wind pants on really cold days.

Maybe I'll see you out there, I'm starting early May.

[canyon steinzig]

I'm planing the same with my wife and ten year old

I have been wearing the same golite windpants over shorts combo for 12 years. I always hike in the shorts and put on the pants when the weather turns, and in the evening. This has been a very nice approach. However, This year I tried on every pair of hiking pants REI carried and choose a pair of Columbia (global) hiking pants for three reasons. 1:, sun protection while waling in SoCal (thats what the 700 mile section is, as opposed to "desert". 2: keeping down the dusk off the lower legs in that dry area. IN other words trying to be a tiny bit cleaner this year, given the low water. (Conserve the baby wipes!) 3: Leg protection from rocks and plants.

I am still very possibly going dynamo/shorts combo which would do the same thing. The only reason I'm not (having not worn the dynamo but having heard only great things) is because in my experience windpants don't have quite the hike all day comfort as something a little more stretchy. These Columbia Global pants are about 9 oz and very thin. I'm leaning toward them as of now. I'll switch back to shorts/windpants at Kennedy Meadows.
I have my TNF Better than Naked zip up shirt which so far has been great over two long section hikes. My wife wheres the same thing and it bringing it again too. Super pricy but we got ours at their sample sale.
Finally, and I have no intention of flaming but feel strongly : would NEVER go on a thru hike without a waterproof rain jacket. At a minimum I'd throw a frog toggs in the bottom of your pack. I've been poured on in ever part of CA in every season. Here's why the jacket. In the west rain very often if not always comes with a storm and cold temperature and high wind (this is very different than the AT both in tersm of wind and temperature). It also often comes when you are up high, crossing ridges and passes with no tree protection from said wind. This is exactly where the umbrella (which I too have) will fail to protect. This leads to a soaked windshirt within minuets and a cold person.
If we are unlucky and there is no rain this year (instead heat and sweat and all that goodness), so you carried 5 oz to be safe.
I don't go anywhere without a windshirt, but if it were windshirt versus rain jacket, rain jacket every time. Then again, I'm captain safety and am shepherding a ten year old through the mountains. To each their own, according to their skills and knowledge.
See you there!

[D M]

Sorry to tell you, long pants will not keep you cleaner on that trail……I wore Rail Riders pants with bottoms that Velcro shut and had dirt up to my thighs each night.. ..and yea wet wipes are your friends.

[Hiking Malto]

"Sorry to tell you, long pants will not keep you cleaner on that trail……I wore Rail Riders pants with bottoms that Velcro shut and had dirt up to my thighs each night.. ..and yea wet wipes are your friends."

I was also surprised how dirty my legs got from pants. The issue was that dust sticks to your sweat. BUT, your pant stay clean and wearing them to bed kept my quilt clean from my legs.

[Scott S]

(I just browsed the comments above, so apologies if I'm repeating anything)

Gloves: if you get cold hands, start with gloves. We had plenty of nights in the 30s and a few below freezing in SoCal (coldest night of the entire trip outside the Sierra was at KO!). If you're using hiking poles, you can't keep your hands in your pockets.

Camp shoes: a typical day on the PCT had me hiking until dark, cooking dinner, and going to sleep. So that would leave about 45 minutes a day to wear camp shoes, and most of that time you're sitting. Why bother?

Rain kilt: probably not necessary south of Ashland (unless you're running super late). But could be very nice to have in the soaking, cold, multi-day storms you will get in OR and WA. I wouldn't think of using my groundcloth as a kilt unless it was a survival situation–the brush will tear it up. Remember, when it rains on the PCT, it will be cold.

Shirt: just wear the nylon shirt and ditch the T-shirt. The umbrella will not keep the sun off your arms, and the t-shirt will be useless against the hordes of mosquitoes in the Sierra. The houdini won't keep the mosquitoes off you either.

Instead of 2 bics, bring one plus a set of waterproof matches. I've ended up with a wet lighter at least once on each thru-hike I've done.

Spare battery: use your phone if the headlamp goes dead. Just make sure you have fresh batteries when you leave town if you're planning on doing any night hiking.

DEET: you'll want the 100% stuff.

Groundcloth: didn't see it. Get some polycryo–one sheet should last a whole thru-hike.

Rain jacket/windshirt: I always take both on a thru-hike. The different layering combinations that you can get with 2 light jackets is really versatile and, for me at least, works down to below freezing if I'm moving. that way, I never have to wear my puffy jacket while hiking so it stays dry.

Good luck out there.

[Anonymous]

Lauren, have fun great list…Will be in CA in Sierras early August, here n there on trail and off trail….

Have gone thru the need for camp shoes, and only way to bring them for me is no more than an ounce to 2 tops…On my size 11 feet made a pair out of Walmart blue foam, with strip or so of duct tape for each sandal. Mine weigh 1.2 ounces for the PAIR… I can lose an ounce somewhere else. They are easy to make, there are posts on this site how to make. Made mine in 15 minutes….Have a great trip.

[Author]

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