Updated January, 2019

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I have done a number of thru-hikes including the PCT, CDT, AT, the Desert Trail and an Alaska Traverse. Here is what I would carry if I hiked the PCT again. What I actually carried from day to day varied, depending on how close I was to supply, where I was along the trail, and so on. When I was carrying one liter of water and three days worth of food (2 lbs a day for me) my pack weighed about 19 pounds, 12 ounces, “average.” On my heaviest carry between Kennedy Meadows and Vermillion Valley Resort, I started out with about 18 pounds of food and about three pounds of extra gear, like bear canister and an ice axe. That made my heaviest pack about 32 pounds.If you notice any errors, please let me know.
Item Brand Name Comment Oz.
The “Big Four”
Backpack ULA Circuit ULA makes great packs. If I were going to buy new for the PCT, I’d take a hard look at a ULA Circuit which can hold a Bearvault 500 vertically. 41
Shelter/Stakes Lunar Solo Includes 2 oz of stakes and guylines 25.4
Sleeping Bag/Quilt Enlightened Equipment Revelation
Western Mountaineering Versalite		 Can be cinched up like a bag or opened up like a quilt. Warm for the weight. Personally, I’d go with the 20 degree version with DownTek.
Get cold? The Versalite is expensive, but one day will be a “best money I ever spent” purchase!		 20
32
Sleeping Pad Thermarest NeoAir Xlite
RidgeRest SOLite		 Thermarest if using a groundsheet
Ridgerest if not using a groundsheet. Small size.		 8.0
9
Clothing in Pack
Thermal Bottom Patagonia Midweight Capilene Part of my sleep system 7.0
Jacket Montbell Alpine Light Down Jacket Also part of my sleep system 12.0
Rain Shell Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket Replaces my loyal Red Ledge Jacket 6.4
Sleeping Socks Possumdown Socks Light, warm, saved for sleeping only 2.5
Underwear Under Armour Boxerjock 6″ legs prevent chafing 4.8
Socks Darn Tough, 1/4 Sock, Mesh I’d switch to the 1/4 Cushion sock once I hit the Sierra. 1.4
Warm Hat Turtle Fur Micro Fur Balaclava 1.1
Gloves Possum Blend Gloves Light and warm but abrade easily 1.5
Cooking Items
Stove Jetboil Zip Alcohol stoves might be banned on certain stretches
Consider going stoveless, too!		 12
Fuel Jetboil fuel Weight when full 7
Utensils Lexan Spoon Might carry a spare .2
Ignition Mini Bic Lighters(2) No “survival toys” needed. 1.0
Hydration
Water Carriers Platypus Two, 2.5 Liter 2.4
Water Bottle Generic Empty Liter Water Bottle 1.2
Water Treatment Sawyer Squeeze Not the mini or micro versions. Carry at least two smartwater bottles to use with it. Giardia is no myth. 3.0
“Essentials”
Maps Halfmile Maps, from Yogi Much easier than printing myself. I’d have Guthook’s App on my iPhone. 2.0
Compass A tiny compass Worn on watch band and/or hung from your pack. .1
Lights Photon II Micro-Light x 2 LED lights are awesome. I don’t carry a headlamp. .3
First Aid Sunscreen, lip balm with sunblock, ibuprofen, prescriptions, Leukotape P Tape for blisters, Benedryl, Imodium, Bodyglide to prevent blisters and chafing (small size).
Pocket Knife Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Has scissors, blade, toothpick, tweezers .7
Cordage Parachute Cord For bear bagging, etc. 1.0
Duct Tape 10 feet For blister prevention, gear repair, etc. 2.0
Sanitation and Hygiene
Toilet paper Standard Partial Roll 2.0
Floss Standard Small one .6
Toothbrush Generic/w cap Yes, I cut the handle in half .5
Toothpaste Generic Small tube .5
Hand Sanitizer Prefense Weight estimated 2.5
Miscellaneous
Sleep Bag Sack Generic With Turkey Oven Bag liner for waterproofing 1.0
More 2 ballpoint pens, 2 safety pins, super glue, needle
Food Sack Generic Silnylon, with food. 🙂 .8
Pack Liner Varies Trash compactor bag or similar. Read this. 2.2
Permits Government Issue Fire, Thru-Hike, Canada entry .5
Bandana Generic Multi-use 1.0
Data Yogi, etc Yogi’s Handbook section , etc. 3.0
Spare Glasses Or sunglasses With case and clip-ons 2.5
Phone iPhone With cords 5.1
Smartphone Tripod GorillaPod To put me in those panoramas 1.0
Trail Charger Solar or Battery I’d carry a solar charger until Cascade Locks, then switch to a USB Battery. 8
Wallet Generic Credit Cards, Cash, Driver’s Lic. in ziploc 1.0
Worn or Carried Outside Pack
Underwear Under Armour Boxerjock 6″ legs 4.8
Shirt Long sleeve nylon ExOfficio Air Strip is awesome. 9.0
Pants/Shorts Mountain Hardwear Mesa Pants Convertible to shorts 13.0
Socks Darn Tough, 1/4 Sock, Mesh Mixed and matched w/ 1/4 cushion socks 1.4
Socks Darn Tough 1/4 Cushion Mixed and matched w/ 1/4 mesh socks 2.4
Shoes Hoka Speedgoat 2 Highly subjective. Try on many models and brands ~19.5
Sunglasses Your choice Mandatory 1.0
Sun Hat Ball cap with bandana, Foreign Legion style I’d recommend a light, wide-brimmed hat with chin cord, like the Helios Sun Hat ?
Trekking Poles Yana Poles If you are hard on gear, get beefier poles like the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork , a great all-around choice or the Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Quick Lock, an excellent value. 6.8
Wristwatch I’m old school Can use a phone, etc instead if you prefer. 1.0
Carried in the Sierras, Washington or as needed
Rain Pants Montbell Versalite Pick up at Cascade Locks 3.6
Rain Mitts eMountain Laurel Designs eVENT Rain Mitts 1.2
Ice Axe CAMP USA Corsa Ice Axe For the Sierras 7.0
Bear canister Bear Vault BV500 Kennedy Meadows to Sonora Pass (see Yogi’s Guidebook) 41.0
Bug Repellant Repel 100 Picked up at Kennedy Meadows 1.0
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