Pacific Crest Path (PCT) Ultralight Gear Listing [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 in the case of recommending the greatest Pacific Crest Path Packing Listing.

What to pack on the Pacific Crest Path takes just a little time and just a little funding in cash however every part on the Ultralight PCT Listing is well out there 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 probably snow gear like an ice axe and microspikes.

Later comes Northern California which is hard on the toes. You will have to decide on the perfect climbing sneakers for the PCT to forestall harm.

In the direction of the top of the path in Washington State, chances are you’ll encounter plenty of rain or possibly snow. You will have the ultralight rain gear for the PCT.

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

the perfect 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 in a position to face up to potential storms on any part of the path. A number of the Greatest Ultralight Tent for the PCT is listed beneath.

Greatest 1P Tent for PCT

Greatest 2P Tent for PCT

Greatest 3P Tent for PCT

Greatest Backpack for The PCT 2024

The very best ultralight backpack for thru-hiking the PCT is one that isn’t solely light-weight however sturdy sufficient to final hundreds of miles of abuse. Beneath are the perfect thru-hiking backpacks for the Pacific Crest Path.

What Dimension Backpack for the PCT

The very best measurement backpack for the PCT is round 50 liters. Nevertheless, when backpacking within the Sierra you might be required to hold a bear canister they usually change into a decent match and a bigger rucksack is best.

Ultralight thru-hikers will choose one thing lighter from the record beneath. And don’t overlook an affordable trash bag to make use of as a pack liner to maintain issues dry.

Greatest Sleeping Bag for the PCT

The very best ultralight sleeping bag for the PCT is light-weight, powerful, and with a temperature score of all the way down to 20F / -6C.

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

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

All of the sleeping luggage on this record are superior and can serve you effectively on the PCT. Should you want extra data examine the complete opinions on sleeping luggage.

Greatest 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 preserving you heat. Having mentioned that, I choose utilizing one on the PCT.

The very best 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. Should you want extra data try the complete opinions.

Greatest Sleeping Pad for the PCT

The very best ultralight sleeping pad for the PCT is comfy, sturdy, fairly priced, and light-weight.

In case you are 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 comfy however some individuals choose 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 perfect ultralight Sleeping mats for the PCT.

Greatest Mountain climbing Sneakers for the PCT

The very best sneakers for the PCT are light-weight and breathable. Waterproof sneakers usually are not so good for this thru-hike. All of us have totally different formed toes and totally different preferences, subsequently what sneakers you’re taking will depend upon many issues.

Firstly, purchase sneakers one measurement greater than regular. Your toes will swell over the times weeks and months of thru-hiking. Fallacious-fitting sneakers 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 greatest.

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

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

Greatest Socks for the PCT

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

Greatest Clothes for the PCT

The very best clothes for thru-hiking the PCT will embody gadgets 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 you must take embody a puffy down jacket, mid-layer, baselayer, climbing shirts, climbing shorts, and rain gear.

Down Jacket

Fleece Mid Layer

Baselayers

Mountain climbing Shirts

Mountain climbing Pants

Mountain climbing Shorts

Greatest 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 defend you from the rain, however they make an amazing windbreaker on these cool days and chances are you’ll end up carrying it extra typically than you may assume.

Here’s a record of all the perfect rain jackets for the Pacific Crest Path.

Don’t overlook Rain Pants such because the Out of doors 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 effectively well worth the added weight, particularly within the scorching desert of New Mexico, you’ll be able to all the time ship it house from northern New Mexico.

Cookware – Stoves & Pots for PCT

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

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

Water on the PCT

As with virtually each backcountry journey, you must deal with the water and carry sufficient to your wants. The PCT has some very dry sections of the path that require some large water carrys and it ought to go with out saying {that a} high quality water filter can 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 very best trekking poles are ultralight and powerful. Your physique will recognize it whenever you use them on this path. The very best trekking poles for the PCT are:

PCT Winter Gear & Bear Canisters

You could want some winter gear for the Sierra part of the PCT. Loads will depend upon what sort of snow season it’s. Some individuals is not going to want any of this, particularly in case you are not coming 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 nowadays, it may be laborious to determine what to take and what to go away behind. Check out a number of the gadgets chances are you’ll want and comply with the hyperlinks to my detailed guides about which of them are the perfect.

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

First Assist 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

Goal for a complete weight of lower than 15lb / 6.5kg. Should 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 gas will add about 1-2 kilos per day on common. Water weight is further once more, at 1 kilogram per liter!

And remember to use the Farout Guides App, formally often called 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 each day climbing journal.

Contemplate sharing this publish or downloading my ultralight gear record.

Benefit from the path.

Cheers Shepherd – PCT15, CDT16, AT17, TA18-19, and nonetheless thru-hiking.

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