Pacific Crest Path (PCT) Ultralight Gear Checklist [2024]

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That is an ultralight PCT Gear record 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 with regards to recommending the finest Pacific Crest Path Packing Checklist.

What to pack on the Pacific Crest Path takes a bit of time and a bit of funding in cash however every part on the Ultralight PCT Checklist is well accessible 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 high 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 ft. You will have to decide on the most effective mountain climbing sneakers for the PCT to stop damage.

In direction of the top of the path in Washington State, it’s possible you’ll encounter a lot of rain or possibly snow. You will have the ultralight rain gear for the PCT.

Beneath I’ve all the most effective gear for the Pacific Crest Path.

the most effective Tent for the PCT 2024

Total there are a number of nice light-weight tents to make use of on the PCT. You will have a tent that’s ultralight and capable of face 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

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 1000’s of miles of abuse. Beneath are the most effective thru-hiking backpacks for the Pacific Crest Path.

What Dimension Backpack for the PCT

The most effective dimension backpack for the PCT is round 50 liters. Nevertheless, when backpacking within the Sierra you might be required to hold a bear canister and so they grow to be a decent match and a bigger rucksack is best.

Ultralight thru-hikers will favor one thing lighter from the record 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, powerful, and with a temperature score of all the way down to 20F / -6C.

When Via mountain climbing the PCT the primary nights within the desert will be very chilly. So can the nights within the Excessive Sierra. Some nights in Northern California shall be so sizzling that you’ll not want your sleeping bag a lot.

Here’s a record of very extremely beneficial ultralight Sleeping Luggage for the Pacific Crest Path.

All of the sleeping luggage on this record are superior and can serve you nicely on the PCT. In case you want extra information test the total opinions on sleeping luggage.

Finest Ultralight Quilts for the PCT

Ultralight Sleeping Quilts for the PCT are rising in popularity. For many thru-hikers on the PCT, they’re a greater ultralight various to a heavier sleeping bag.

They’re lighter however have limitations in actually chilly climate. When the temperature will get beneath freezing they don’t seem to be as environment friendly at protecting you heat. Having stated that, I favor utilizing one on the PCT.

The most effective ultralight quilt for the PCT is listed beneath.

Truthfully, any of the backpacking quilts talked about on this record are superior and worthy of use on the PCT. In case you want extra information try the total opinions.

Finest Sleeping Pad for the PCT

The most effective ultralight sleeping pad for the PCT is snug, sturdy, moderately priced, and light-weight.

If you’re like most thru-hikers you may be exhausted each night time and expertise legendary nights sleep on the path.

An Ultralight air mattress is extra snug however some individuals favor light-weight foam, particularly the budget-conscious backpacker. Facet sleepers will definitely want an air mat just like the Sea to Summit Ether Gentle XT Insulated.

Here’s a record of all the most effective ultralight Sleeping mats for the PCT.

Finest Climbing Footwear for the PCT

The most effective sneakers for the PCT are light-weight and breathable. Waterproof sneakers aren’t so good for this thru-hike. All of us have completely different formed ft and completely different preferences, due to this fact what sneakers you are taking will rely on many issues.

Firstly, purchase sneakers one dimension greater than regular. Your ft will swell over the times weeks and months of thru-hiking. Incorrect-fitting sneakers will trigger blisters or hotspots. You’ve got been warned!

For slim ft, the higher choices are Saloman and Brooks. For wider ft, Altra and Merrell are finest.

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the most effective sneakers and boots for PCT thru-hikers:

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the most effective path runners for PCT thru-hikers:

Finest Socks for the PCT

Darn Robust Socks are the preferred. They may put on out and with their lifetime guarantee, there’s nothing higher for thru-hiking the PCT. And possibly you may want some gaiters to cease the small rocks and sand stepping into your sneakers.

Finest Clothes for the PCT

The most effective clothes for thru-hiking the PCT will embody objects for the acute 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 it is best to take embody a puffy down jacket, mid-layer, baselayer, mountain climbing shirts, mountain climbing shorts, and rain gear.

Down Jacket

Fleece Mid Layer

Baselayers

Climbing Shirts

Climbing Pants

Climbing Shorts

Finest Rain Gear for the PCT

You won’t see a lot rain on the PCT. However when it does rain you will want a high-quality ultralight rain jacket. Not solely will it shield you from the rain, however they make a fantastic windbreaker on these cool days and it’s possible you’ll end up sporting it extra usually than you would possibly suppose.

Here’s a record of all the most effective 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 adore it. At solely 8 ounces it’s nicely definitely worth the added weight, particularly within the sizzling desert of New Mexico, you possibly can at all times ship it house from northern New Mexico.

Cookware – Stoves & Pots for PCT

Gentle and robust cooking gear is required for thru-hiking the PCT. It doesn’t should be costly, nor does it should be the very best high quality. It simply must work. The record beneath is all it is advisable cook dinner and eat on the Pacific Crest Path.

You’ll admire a heat meal at night time and possibly a sizzling espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are some cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you will want for the path.

You’ll admire a heat meal at night time and possibly a sizzling espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are a few of the finest cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you will want for the path.

Water on the PCT

As with nearly each backcountry journey, it is best to deal with the water and carry sufficient to your wants. The PCT has some very dry sections of the path that require some massive 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 beneficial water remedy gadgets, water storage bottles, and bladders.

Trekking Poles for the PCT

The most effective trekking poles are ultralight and robust. Your physique will admire it whenever you use them on this path. The most effective trekking poles for the PCT are:

PCT Winter Gear & Bear Canisters

You might want some winter gear for the Sierra part of the PCT. So much will rely on what sort of snow season it’s. Some individuals is not going to want any of this, particularly if you’re 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 as of late, it may be onerous to determine what to take and what to go away behind. Check out a few of the objects it’s possible you’ll want and observe the hyperlinks to my detailed guides about which of them are the most effective.

• Finest Backpacking Cameras – For the photographers. Most individuals shall be glad sufficient with the standard of their smartphone.
• Finest Battery Financial institution for Climbing – Essential to have a high-quality battery to recharge all of your electronics.
• Finest Climbing GPS – Not wanted for the path as most individuals can navigate OK with a smartphone App.
• Finest Climbing Watch – Increasingly more individuals are mountain climbing with a GPS watch. They’re nice however will want charging each night time so make sure you take a transportable battery financial institution with you.
• Finest Satellite tv for pc Messenger – Extremely beneficial for thru-hiking the PCT. Many individuals get into issue on the path and considered one of these can save your life.
• USB Wall Charger + Cables.

First Help 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
• Rest room tissue

Goal for a complete weight of lower than 15lb / 6.5kg. In case you select high quality objects that I’ve listed above it is best to have lower than 12lb / 5.5kg as your base weight.

Meals and cooking gas will add about 1-2 kilos per day on common. Water weight is additional once more, at 1 kilogram per liter!

And make sure you use the Farout Guides App, formally often known as Guthook. That is the most effective offline interactive maps for the path

Learn Subsequent : Full Information to 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.

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