That is an ultralight PCT Gear checklist for these thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Path in 2024.
I’ve thru-hiked the PCT and accomplished the thru-hiking triple crown so my suggestions come backed with a little bit of expertise on the path relating to recommending the finest Pacific Crest Path Packing Listing.
What to pack on the Pacific Crest Path takes a little bit time and a little bit funding in cash however the whole lot on the Ultralight PCT Listing is definitely obtainable and fairly priced.
The Pacific Crest Path is hard. Beginning within the desert with lengthy dry sections requires you to hold heavy quantities of water. For this, you want a top quality ultralight backpack for the PCT.
Then comes the chilly excessive mountains of the Sierra which require chilly climate gear, bear canisters, and doubtlessly snow gear like an ice axe and microspikes.
Later comes Northern California which is hard on the toes. You’ll need to decide on the perfect mountain climbing footwear for the PCT to stop harm.
In direction of the tip of the path in Washington State, you could encounter plenty of rain or perhaps snow. You’ll need the ultralight rain gear for the PCT.
Under I’ve all the perfect gear for the Pacific Crest Path.
the perfect Tent for the PCT 2024
General there are a number of nice light-weight tents to make use of on the PCT. You’ll need a tent that’s ultralight and capable of stand up to potential storms on any part of the path. Among the Finest Ultralight Tent for the PCT is listed beneath.
Finest 1P Tent for PCT
Finest 2P Tent for PCT
Finest 3P Tent for PCT
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Finest Backpack for The PCT 2024
The most effective ultralight backpack for thru-hiking the PCT is one that’s not solely light-weight however sturdy sufficient to final hundreds of miles of abuse. Under are the perfect thru-hiking backpacks for the Pacific Crest Path.
What Measurement Backpack for the PCT
The most effective measurement backpack for the PCT is round 50 liters. Nonetheless, when backpacking within the Sierra you’re required to hold a bear canister and so they turn into a decent match and a bigger rucksack is healthier.
Ultralight thru-hikers will desire one thing lighter from the checklist beneath. And don’t overlook an inexpensive trash bag to make use of as a pack liner to maintain issues dry.
Finest Sleeping Bag for the PCT
The most effective ultralight sleeping bag for the PCT is light-weight, robust, and with a temperature score of right down to 20F / -6C.
When Via mountain climbing the PCT the primary nights within the desert could be very chilly. So can the nights within the Excessive Sierra. Some nights in Northern California shall be so scorching that you’ll not want your sleeping bag a lot.
Here’s a checklist of very extremely advisable ultralight Sleeping Baggage for the Pacific Crest Path.
All of the sleeping luggage on this checklist are superior and can serve you properly on the PCT. When you want extra data verify the total opinions on sleeping luggage.
Finest Ultralight Quilts for the PCT
Ultralight Sleeping Quilts for the PCT are gaining popularity. For many thru-hikers on the PCT, they’re a greater ultralight different to a heavier sleeping bag.
They’re lighter however have limitations in actually chilly climate. When the temperature will get beneath freezing they aren’t as environment friendly at conserving you heat. Having stated that, I desire utilizing one on the PCT.
The most effective ultralight quilt for the PCT is listed beneath.
Actually, any of the backpacking quilts talked about on this checklist are superior and worthy of use on the PCT. When you want extra data take a look at the total opinions.
Finest Sleeping Pad for the PCT
The most effective ultralight sleeping pad for the PCT is comfy, sturdy, moderately priced, and light-weight.
In case you are like most thru-hikers you may be exhausted each evening and expertise legendary nights sleep on the path.
An Ultralight air mattress is extra comfy however some folks desire light-weight foam, particularly the budget-conscious backpacker. Facet sleepers will definitely want an air mat just like the Sea to Summit Ether Mild XT Insulated.
Here’s a checklist of all the perfect ultralight Sleeping mats for the PCT.
Finest Mountain climbing Sneakers for the PCT
The most effective footwear for the PCT are light-weight and breathable. Waterproof footwear will not be so good for this thru-hike. All of us have completely different formed toes and completely different preferences, due to this fact what footwear you are taking will depend upon many issues.
Firstly, purchase footwear one measurement greater than regular. Your toes will swell over the times weeks and months of thru-hiking. Improper-fitting footwear will trigger blisters or hotspots. You might have been warned!
For slender toes, the higher choices are Saloman and Brooks. For wider toes, Altra and Merrell are finest.
Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the perfect footwear and boots for PCT thru-hikers:
Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the perfect path runners for PCT thru-hikers:
Finest Socks for the PCT
Darn Powerful Socks are the preferred. They are going to put on out and with their lifetime guarantee, there may be nothing higher for thru-hiking the PCT. And perhaps you may want some gaiters to cease the small rocks and sand entering into your footwear.
Finest Clothes for the PCT
The most effective clothes for thru-hiking the PCT will embody gadgets for the intense warmth of the California Desert and the sweaty warmth of Northern California. And excessive chilly of the desert mornings, the Excessive Sierra, and Washington.
Layers that you must take embody a puffy down jacket, mid-layer, baselayer, mountain climbing shirts, mountain climbing shorts, and rain gear.
Down Jacket
Fleece Mid Layer
Baselayers
Mountain climbing Shirts
Mountain climbing Pants
Mountain climbing Shorts
Finest Rain Gear for the PCT
You won’t see a lot rain on the PCT. However when it does rain you’ll need a high-quality ultralight rain jacket. Not solely will it defend you from the rain, however they make an awesome windbreaker on these cool days and you could end up sporting it extra usually than you may suppose.
Here’s a checklist of all the perfect rain jackets for the Pacific Crest Path.
Don’t overlook Rain Pants such because the Outside Analysis Helium Pants or the ultralight Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants.
I’ve used the Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon on some trails I like it.
Cookware – Stoves & Pots for PCT
Mild and powerful cooking gear is required for thru-hiking the PCT. It doesn’t must be costly, nor does it must be the best high quality. It simply must work. The checklist beneath is all you could prepare dinner and eat on the Pacific Crest Path.
You’ll respect a heat meal at evening and perhaps a scorching espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are some cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you’ll need for the path.
You’ll respect a heat meal at evening and perhaps a scorching espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are a few of the finest cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you’ll need for the path.
Water on the PCT
As with nearly each backcountry journey, you must deal with the water and carry sufficient in your wants. The PCT has some very dry sections of the path that require some huge water carrys and it ought to go with out saying {that a} high quality water filter shall be wanted for the entire path. Listed here are some advisable water remedy units, water storage bottles, and bladders.
Trekking Poles for the PCT
The most effective trekking poles are ultralight and powerful. Your physique will respect it once you use them on this path. The most effective trekking poles for the PCT are:
PCT Winter Gear & Bear Canisters
Chances are you’ll want some winter gear for the Sierra part of the PCT. Loads will depend upon what sort of snow season it’s. Some folks is not going to want any of this, particularly in case you are not getting into the Sierra till late. And don’t overlook your obligatory Bear Canister.
Cameras and Electronics
With so many electronics that we tackle the path lately, it may be arduous to resolve what to take and what to go away behind. Check out a few of the gadgets you could want and comply with the hyperlinks to my detailed guides about which of them are the perfect.
- Finest Backpacking Cameras – For the photographers. Most individuals shall be joyful sufficient with the standard of their smartphone.
- Finest Battery Financial institution for Mountain climbing – Essential to have a high-quality battery to recharge all of your electronics.
- Finest Mountain climbing GPS – Not wanted for the path as most individuals can navigate OK with a smartphone App.
- Finest Mountain climbing Watch – An increasing number of persons are mountain climbing with a GPS watch. They’re nice however will want charging each evening so remember to take a transportable battery financial institution with you.
- Finest Satellite tv for pc Messenger – Extremely advisable for thru-hiking the PCT. Many individuals get into issue on the path and one among these can save your life.
- USB Wall Charger + Cables.
First Support and Misc
- Plastic zip-lock luggage
- Cash / ID / Credit score Playing cards
- Blister pads
- Strapping Tape
- Giardia anti-biotic
- Foot an infection anti-biotic
- Ibuprofen
- tweezers
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Security Pin
- Needle
- Deet insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Bathroom tissue
Purpose for a complete weight of lower than 15lb / 6.5kg. When you select high quality gadgets that I’ve listed above you must have lower than 12lb / 5.5kg as your base weight.
Meals and cooking gasoline will add about 1-2 kilos per day on common. Water weight is additional once more, at 1 kilogram per liter!
And remember to use the Farout Guides App, formally referred to as Guthook. That is the perfect offline interactive maps for the path
Learn Subsequent : Full Information to Mountain climbing the Pacific Crest Path – together with a day by day mountain climbing journal.
Benefit from the path.
Cheers Shepherd – PCT15, CDT16, AT17, TA18-19, and nonetheless thru-hiking.
BikeHikeSafari Gear Evaluate Course of
The creator, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small impartial adventurer and outside gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
BikeHikeSafari just isn’t half of a big weblog community and is proudly impartial. All opinions on this web site are impartial and sincere gear opinions of out of doors merchandise by the creator.
The creator, Brad McCartney is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Learn extra). He was a supervisor of an out of doors retail retailer and could be very skilled in what’s essential when utilizing and testing gear for opinions like this.
BikeHikeSafari won’t ever obtain any cash for opinions and they don’t settle for sponsored opinions on this web site. All of the feedback in regards to the gear opinions are from the creator primarily based on his years of expertise. Hope this impartial assessment was useful for you.