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

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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 in the case of recommending the greatest Pacific Crest Path Packing Checklist.

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 Checklist is definitely 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 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 one of the best mountaineering footwear for the PCT to forestall harm.

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

Beneath I’ve all one of the best gear for the Pacific Crest Path.

one of the best Tent for the PCT 2024

General 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 stand up to potential storms on any part of the path. Among 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 one of the best thru-hiking backpacks for the Pacific Crest Path.

What Measurement Backpack for the PCT

The very best dimension backpack for the PCT is round 50 liters. Nevertheless, when backpacking within the Sierra you’re required to hold a bear canister and so they develop into a decent match and a bigger rucksack is healthier.

Ultralight thru-hikers will choose 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.

Greatest Sleeping Bag for the PCT

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

When Via mountaineering 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 will likely be so sizzling that you’ll not want your sleeping bag a lot.

Here’s a checklist of very extremely really helpful ultralight Sleeping Luggage for the Pacific Crest Path.

All of the sleeping baggage on this checklist are superior and can serve you properly on the PCT. Should you want extra information verify the complete critiques on sleeping baggage.

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

The very best 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. Should you want extra information take a look at the complete critiques.

Greatest Sleeping Pad for the PCT

The very best ultralight sleeping pad for the PCT is snug, 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 snug however some folks choose 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 one of the best ultralight Sleeping mats for the PCT.

Greatest Mountain climbing Sneakers for the PCT

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

Firstly, purchase footwear one dimension greater than regular. Your toes will swell over the times weeks and months of thru-hiking. Fallacious-fitting footwear will trigger blisters or hotspots. You may have been warned!

For slim toes, the higher choices are Saloman and Brooks. For wider toes, Altra and Merrell are greatest.

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for one of the best footwear and boots for PCT thru-hikers:

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for one of the best path runners for PCT thru-hikers:

Greatest Socks for the PCT

Darn Robust Socks are the most well-liked. They may 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 moving into your footwear.

Greatest Clothes for the PCT

The very best 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, mountaineering shirts, mountaineering 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 have to a high-quality ultralight rain jacket. Not solely will it shield you from the rain, however they make an awesome windbreaker on these cool days and chances are you’ll end up sporting it extra usually than you may assume.

Here’s a checklist of all one of the best 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 like it. At solely 8 ounces it’s properly 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

Mild 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 very 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 recognize a heat meal at evening and possibly a sizzling espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are some cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you have to for the path.

You’ll recognize a heat meal at evening and possibly a sizzling espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are a number of the greatest cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you have to 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 massive water carrys and it ought to go with out saying {that a} high quality water filter will likely be wanted for the entire path. Listed here are some really helpful water therapy 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 once you use them on this path. The very best trekking poles for the PCT are:

PCT Winter Gear & Bear Canisters

It’s possible you’ll want some winter gear for the Sierra part of the PCT. So much will depend upon what sort of snow season it’s. Some folks won’t 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 as of late, it may be laborious to resolve what to take and what to depart 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 one of the best.

• Greatest Backpacking Cameras – For the photographers. Most individuals will likely be comfortable sufficient with the standard of their smartphone.
• Greatest Battery Financial institution for Mountain climbing – Crucial 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 mountaineering with a GPS watch. They’re nice however will want charging each evening so you’ll want to take a conveyable battery financial institution with you.
• Greatest Satellite tv for pc Messenger – Extremely really helpful 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 Assist and Misc

• Plastic zip-lock baggage
• 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. 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 you’ll want to use the Farout Guides App, formally referred to as Guthook. That is one of the best offline interactive maps for the path

Learn Subsequent : Full Information to Mountain climbing the Pacific Crest Path – together with a each day mountaineering journal.

Benefit from the path.

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

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