Throughout my training, my pack has continued to evolve. Each training session at Henry Coe State park revealed new things to me and my pack changed accordingly. Originally, it came in at just over 20 pounds. With constant reevaluation, consideration, and planning I have reduced my base weight to 14.3 pounds. A respectable number, but a far cry from the ultralighters coming in at 5-7. I’m confident with my pack as I feel like I have everything I need, and it comes in at a full pound lighter than the average thru-hiker that completed the journey in 2018 (per the annual gear survey).
The absolutely indispensable ‘Halfway Anywhere’ PCT gear survey: https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pct-gear-guide-2018/
Now that my trip is just four days away, I feel comfortable claiming that this is my final, final gear list. Below is a gear list of everything I will be starting out with.
The Big Three
- Osprey Talon 44 Pack
- Large Rain cover
- REI Magma 30 quilt
- Cocoon Sleeping Bag Hood Pillow
- Thermarest z-lite SOL sleeping pad
- Stuff sack
- Nemo hornet 1P Tent
Water System
- Sawyer squeeze
- Cnoc Vecto water container 3 Liter
- 2X 1L smart water bottles
- 1x screw top
- 1x flip top
Clothing
- Outdoor research Helium II Rain jacket
- Mountain Hardware Stretchdown hooded Jacket
- Nike Therma-Sphere Element dry fit Shirt – long sleeve
- Nike Running dri-fit running shirt – long sleeve
- 2X Aididas Synthetic underwear
- SmartWool Merino 150 Long underwear
- 2X – Wrightsock Double layer silver escape crew
- REI Sarah Roll up pants
- Outdoor Research Sun runner cap
Toiletries
- Toothpaste tube
- Electric toothbrush head
- SPF 35 sunscreen
- Burt’s beeswax chapstick
- Toilet paper – 10 squares/day
- Pills
- Daily multivitamin
- Tylenol
- Cologen hydroslate
Miscellaneous
- Talenti ice cream jar (for cold soaking)
- Snow peak titanium spork
- Julbo Sherpa glacier sunglasses
- Petzl Tikka headlamp
- Black Diamond ergo cork trekking poles
- 2x PowerLix Knee compression sleeves
- Bauerfiend Achillies tendon support brace
- Bic lighter
- 2X Nite Ize S-Biner Size 3
- ID and debit card (not pictured)
- The stick personal massage tool
- KT tape roll (10 inch strips)
- Ziplock bags
- OPSack – Large
- 3X patches Mole skin
Of course, This is not everything I will need for my journey. The Sierra Nevada mountain range requires a specific set of tools. For that leg of the journey I have selected the following items.
- Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Hiking Boots
- Will replace the Oboz Sawtooth II Low Hiking Shoes I will be wearing
- Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampons with ABS Plates
- Mammut hardshell
- Black Diamond Raven Ice axe – 70 cm
- BearVault BV500 Food Container
The intent of this post is not to be entertaining, but informative. When I complete my journey 6 months from now I will make an updated post coving what gear I liked, did not like, and what failed on me.
Operation PCB 