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 |
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| 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 |
| If you find this page useful, please click the “LIKE” button, just below. Thanks! | |||
Hey Bucktrack,
Thanks for posting your gearlist. I hiked the AT and the JMT using a GoLite Breeze rucksack (this was years ago). My Breeze pack has finally come to an end and I am likely getting the ULA CDT which is very similar to the Breeze though the CDT has a couple more options. My only hesitation is that I’d like to hike the PCT over the next couple years and am concerned about fitting the bear canister for the stretch that a canister is required. (When I hiked the JMT it was with a friend and he carried the canister and I carried the shelter). I have a very similar gear list as you. You say that you were able to fit the BV500 canister sideways in the top of your pack. Though, I want to make sure this will work for me. I need to make sure I can fit the food I need into this size canister. On the PCT I plan to average around 25 miles / day (based on my average on the JMT). What is the longest stretch one is required to carry a canister? Thanks for your help!
I carried a Pinnacle on the PCT but would use a CDT if I hiked the trail again. I did strap the BV500 on top of the pack and it worked well. I just tried it with the CDT and I’m confident it would work, with a vertical carry inside the pack another possible option.
My longest carry where a canister was required was from Kennedy Meadows to Vermillion Valley Resort, about 190 miles I think. Some people break up that stretch with a resupply but I liked the simpler option of a longer carry. It worked well. I packed the canister carefully and carried the first day’s food outside.
Have fun!
Buck