What I am bringing on the PCT

What I am bringing

In making the choices of what to bring, I considered cost, weight and convenience of each item. Someone doing a trip like this could spend more than I did and have less weight to carry.


As far as cost of gear goes, I used a lot of what I had already for this trip. I have been playing in the Cascades for over 30 years in all seasons.  Most items I bought were on sale. I was looking for well-rounded items I could use for other adventures in my life.


On weight, I am not a little person nor am I looking to set a personal best or a record of any kind in doing this hike. I lot of the lighter gear gives up some comfort and put you out there to hope for the best that all goes well. Having done much ultra-light adventures in the Cascades, I know what it is like to suffer to meet the goal of moving fast. I tried to find the balance of being light as possible and still able to enjoy what Mother Nature will throw at me for ~four months.


On convenience, the biggest question I asked myself was, does this piece of gear do what I need it to do? If the answer was yes, it is coming with me. We all have our fears in our life that dictate aspects of our lives. Preparing for this hike, how are my fears influencing what I am bringing? If you are an experienced hiker, you might think I have some items that you would not need. Having never done a backcountry outing over 10 days, I know I will pare down some items as I learn to adjust to what I need for the trail.


Item- (why I am bring it.)


Tent-Big Agnes Fly Creek High Volume UL 1 (I already owned it and it works for me)

Sleep system

Sleeping Bag-Patagonia 850 down 20 degree rating (I got it on sale and the temp rating is what I was looking for)

Sleeping pad-Nemo Tensor 20R mummy (discounted and it was the r rating I was looking for)

Nemo inflation bag/pillow/stuff sack (on sale and I did not want to blow up my pad every night for ~four months)

Thin light foam pad (It is my sit pad and I do not trust my sleeping pad 100%)

Mountain Smith sleeping bag liner, light weight-(I need to be warm to sleep; it will help keep my sleeping bag clean.)

Pack, Six moons designs, Minimalist-(Much research and going to PCT days to try different packs on.)

Cooking and water system

MSR pocket rocket-(It got good reviews)

Evernew titanium pot 900ml-(It was the size I was looking for)

Titanium spork-(It does what it is designed to do)

Swiss Army “Little Vicky” – (It does what it is designed to do)

Homemade cozy for my pot-(I like to keep my food warm)

Two Smart water bottles-(They fit on my water filter)

Sawyer squeeze water filter-(good reviews)

Four collapsible water bladders-(They take up little space and light weight)

Bear Vault BV500-(I am not willing to share my food with the bears in the Sierra)

UR Sack-(I am not willing to share my food with the other critters when not in the Sierra)

Gear to aid in travel over land

Ice axe-(I have had this for many years: used to travel on snow)

Micro Spikes-(I have had these for many years: used to travel on snow)

Black Diamond Z distance poles-(I have had these for many years: used to help with balance)

Umbrella-(Keep the sun and rain off me)


Shoes and such

La Sportiva Wildcat shoes-(They fit my feet well)

Darn Tough socks-(The standard for long trails)

Outdoor Research gaiters-(They work for me)


Electronics

Google Pixel 3 phone-(It has good battery life and takes good photos)

10,000 battery pack-(usb-c  for quick recharge, I hope this is enough juice for my phone and headlamp)

Spot gps messenger-(for calling help and checking in so others know I am ok)

2 port plug in for charging devices-(usb-c for quick charging)

I-pod-(I like my music, audio books and podcast to past the time)

Rechargeable headlamp-(This will be a huge saving in batteries)

Cords for all this stuff


Miscellanies

TP and duce of spades trowel-(One has to do their duty)

Repair kit-(to take care of my gear so it will not hinder my progress)

Small fire making kit-(You never know when you will need it)

There is probably many little things I am I will take that I am not listing here.


Clothes

Rain jacket and pants – (One has to be prepared)

Patagonia nano puff-(I have had it for many years)

OR light pile jacket-(I like to stay warm and my nano puff is not by itself)

Patagonia light vest-(I use this trail running a lot in cool weather, I figure it will do the job here)

Pants, shorts, tee shirt, long sleeve tee shirt, light weight long johns, sunhat, two beanies and some mittens. (These clothes are from my adventures of the past.  I figure if they did the job then they should do it now. )


This is not complete, but closes enough to get the idea of what I am carrying. The weight of what is in my pack is around 14 lbs. This does not include water, food, ice axe or micro spikes.