PCT Gear List

I love to hike.  And I need gear to successfully hike.  I have tried to make smart choices about the gear I am taking on the Pacific Crest Trail.  I’m sure it will change.  I did a lot of research online and have tried out different packs, sleeping pads, cook systems, layering systems and trail runners during the past two years.  I used to wear an Osprey Exos 58 backpack – in blue!  I still love that pack.  But for the PCT I am switching to the Zpacks Arc Haul that can carry up to 40 pounds.  I never want to carry more than 40 pounds so this pack will work for me.  On my training hikes I have been pleasantly amazed at how good it feels on my back and shoulders with most of the weight bearing located at my hips.  My shoulders barely feel a thing.  And that makes me move faster on the trail.  I do have some luxury items that I may decide are not worth the weight after a while.  But I am starting with a base weight of around 16 pounds.   With food and water and other consumables, I expect to carry about 35 pounds in Southern California.  But those 35 pounds will quickly lower as I drink water and eat throughout the day.   I’ve never carried more than 3 liters of water at a time.  In Southern California I will most likely be carrying up to 6 liters for long stretches.  And possibly 7 if I feel that I am not getting enough fluids.   I do have to say that in the hiking forums there seems to be a lot of popularity in getting one’s base weight under 10 pounds – ultralight.   I am just not experienced enough to understand what I may not actually need on the trail.   I was hoping to have my base weight at 14 pounds.  But for now it is 16.   I’m not going to stress about it.  I am going to use the gear I have chosen and be confident about my choices.  

While researching the Colorado Trail for my summer hike in 2016, I came across an interesting quote in one of the Colorado Trail handbooks by Paul Magnanti “I use gear to hike, not hike to use gear”.   That expression resonated with my own hiking style.  

I would love to write a detailed review of my experiences with all of the major pieces of gear but hopefully I can share those impressions in my blog.  

For now, at the beginning of my hike on the Pacific Crest Trail during the late spring and summer of 2018,  I’ve entered all of my gear through Lighterpack to accurately record my gear and weight. 

https://lighterpack.com/r/6xnqm8