Pacific Crest Trail Gear List (lightweight, 11.6 lbs)
In May 2022, I’m setting off on the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, hiking northbound from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. This thru-hike has been years in the making (I was supposed to hike it in 2020, but you know how 2020 went…) and I’m so excited for this dream to become a reality.
In this post, I’ve compiled the entire packing list of gear that I will start with on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). When I (hopefully) finish, I’ll be sure to make a new post with the gear I finished with because there’s a chance I change things up while I’m hiking. *Spoiler! I completed the PCT! Here is my updated gear list from when I finished: Pacific Crest Trail 2022 Final Gear List (almost ultralight, 10.97 lbs)*
My starting base weight (base weight is the weight of all your gear not including your worn weight, e.g. clothes you wear and shoes, or consumables like food, water, and fuel) is 11.6 pounds, which is so close to, but not quite ultralight. Ultralight is typically considered under 10-lbs, but unfortunately, my 2.73 pounds of camera gear puts me over. If I didn’t take my camera gear, my gear would be considered ultralight at 8.77 pounds. Here is my LighterPack with the weights of everything I’m carrying.
With a few changes, I was able to shave about 5 pounds off of my John Muir Trail thru-hike base weight from last summer.
I’ve organized my gear into the following sections if you want to jump ahead:
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links, meaning I receive a small percentage of every purchase at no additional cost to you. Read more about my affiliate policy here.
Backpack
Backpack
Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack, Size Small (18.5 oz)
On my John Muir Trail thru-hike in August 2021, I used the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack, which I absolutely loved. However, once I got my list of gear compiled for my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike, the 50L Gorilla was a bit big for the gear I’m taking. Since I loved my Gossamer Gear 50-liter pack, I decided their 36-liter Kumo would be perfect for my PCT thru-hike. I’m super excited to use the Kumo on this hike! From my training hikes, I already love it. Like the 50L Gorilla, it’s super comfortable.
Pack Liner
The Gossamer Gear Kumo pack is not waterproof, so it was very important to keep my essential gear in a dry bag just in case it rains (e.g. sleeping quilt, jacket, extra clothes, electronics). I line my bag with the Nylofume® Pack Liner to keep everything dry. These bags are fully waterproof, ultralight (weighing in at only 0.91 oz), and super cheap at only $2.79 a bag. They are also odor resistant. Another good option is the Gossamer Gear Pack Liner.
Shelter
Tarp
High Tail Designs Ultralight Catenary Curve Tarp, color Alluvium 7 (7.3 oz)
Going a little crazy here and switching to a tarp for my PCT thru-hike! On the John Muir Trail, I used Gossamer Gear’s The One tent (17.7 oz), but I wanted to save even more weight and try out something new. This High Tail Design tarp is made of Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), which is incredibly light. I’ll set up my tarp using one tent pole and one trekking pole. What I love about tarp camping is how connected to nature you feel, there's no wall separating you from the outdoors. Also, the pattern on this tarp is so pretty - I can’t wait to use this on the trail!
Tent Pole
Six Moon Designs Carbon Fiber Pole, 45 inches (1.7 oz)
As mentioned above in the tarp section, I will use one 45’’ Six Moon Designs Carbon Fiber pole along with a trekking pole to set up my tent. This tent pole weighs in at only 1.7 oz, which is much lighter than carrying a second trekking pole that I won’t use.
Stakes
Vargo Ti Shepherds Hook Stakes and MSR Groundhog Stakes
I’m bringing six (6) of the Vargo Ti Shepherds Hook Stakes (8 grams/stake) and two (2) MSR Groundhog stakes (0.5 ounce/stake) for the ridgelines.
Groundsheet
Duck Brand Indoor Window Shrink Film Insulator
Ok, this one might throw you for a loop unless you’re familiar with the things people do to make their backpacking gear ultralight. As a groundsheet, instead of a traditional groundsheet you buy, I used window plastic covering (Duck Brand Indoor Window Shrink Film Insulator) cut down to a size that fits under my tarp. You might be wondering…why? Because it is super light at only 50g (1.76 oz)! And it packs down really well to stuff in your bag. Since it’s just a cheap sheet of plastic, it’ll likely rip, so be careful with it. I’ll likely have Tim mail me a new one in my hike at some point.
Sleep System
Sleeping Quilt
Hammock Gear 20°F (-6°C) Premium Burrow Short/Wide + 1 oz overfill
I took my Hammock Gear 20°F Premium Burrow quilt with me on the John Muir Trail and it kept me very comfortable. I’ll also be taking it with me on my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. Curious what a sleeping quilt is? It’s like a sleeping bag without the back so it is lighter. Check out my blog post Ultimate Sleeping Quilt Guide: Why I Use a Quilt Instead of a Sleeping Bag for 3-Season Backpacking for more information about quilts and why I prefer using them over sleeping bags.
Sleeping Pad
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Ultralight Backpacking Air Mattress, Size Small (20x47 inches)
For my sleeping pad, I use the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Ultralight Mattress in size small (this exact model is no longer available, here is the 2023 updated version). I like how lightweight this sleeping pad is, but it does crinkle a lot. Also a note on the size - I use a size small. I’m 5’4’’ and this does not cover the full length of my body. My feet hang off the end, but I just put my backpack at the bottom to set my feet on when I sleep. I chose this length to save some weight and space in my bag, but if you are looking to cover the length of your body, I recommend getting either the Regular or Large depending on how tall you are.
Pillow
Worn Clothes
Shirt - Outdoor Research Women’s Echo Sun Hoodie
Shorts - Lululemon Shorts (low-rise, 2.5 inch)
Shoes - Altra Lone Peaks
Socks - Injinji Ultra Run Mini Crew Socks
Sports Bra - Vuori Yosemite Bra
Underwear - Patagonia Active Hipster
Sun Gloves - Outdoor Research ActiveIce Sun Gloves
Hat - DIY Pacific Crest Trail Hat (I sewed a ‘Pacific Crest Trail’ patch onto this hat)
Buff - High Tail Designs Hiking Gaiter "Eldorado Canyon"
Gaiters - Dirty Girl Gaiters
Sunglasses - Goodr Circle Gs Polarized
Packed Clothes
Backup Hiking Socks - Darn Tough Light Hiker Quarter Lightweight Hiking Socks - Women's
Fleece Gloves - Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Gloves - Women’s
Puffy Jacket - Arc’teryx Cerium LT (this exact model is not made anymore, but the Cerium Hoody is the updated version of my jacket)
Wind Pants - Body Wrappers Ripstop Pants
Sleep Socks - Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Socks - Women's
Rain Jacket - Frogg Toggs Women's Ultra-Lite2
Beanie - Minus33 Beanie
Fleece - Melanzana Micro Grid Hoodie
Camera Gear
I’m a photographer, so bringing a full camera setup instead of just using my iPhone or a point-and-shoot camera is non-negotiable. I know this means extra weight, but that’s why I try to make the rest of my gear lightweight. My camera is most definitely my “luxury item” of my entire gear setup, but I never regret bringing it.
Camera - Sony A7RIII
Lens - Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Lens
Camera Clip - Peak Design Capture Camera Clip
Camera Batteries - Watson NP-FZ100 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (x1) and Sony NPFZ100 Z-series Rechargeable Battery Pack (x1)
Memory Cards - SanDisk 128GB Extreme SDXC
Lens Cloth - Generic Cloth
Tripod + Clamp - Ulanzi MT-08 Extendable Mini Tripod + Desmond DAC-25 25mm Mini Clamp
Phone Clamp - Peak Design Phone Mount
Gimbal Camera - DJI Pocket 2
Lens Filter - Sony 49mm Circular Polarizer Filter with Zeiss T* Coating
Lightning SD Card Reader - Apple Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader
Electronics
Headlamp - Nitecore NU25
GPS - Garmin InReach Mini
Phone - iPhone 12 Mini
Battery - Nitecore NB10000
Earbuds - Apple EarPods with Lightning Connector
Wall Charger - Anker 511 Charger (Nano)
Cords - USB-C to USB-C, Phone Cord, Micro-USB
Cooking Gear
Pot - TOAKS Light Titanium 550ml Pot
Stove - MSR PocketRocket 2
Spoon - Sea to Summit Spoon - Long
Food bag - OPSAK Odor-Proof Barrier Bags - 12" x 20"
Fuel + Lighter - 100g Fuel Can + Mini Lighter
Water
Water Filter - Sawyer Micro Squeeze
Water bottles - Smartwater bottles
Dirty Water Bag - CNOC Vecto 2L Water Container
Water Treatment - Aquamira Water Treatment
Toiletries, First Aid Kit, and Repair Kit
Toiletries
First Aid Kit
Homemade Kit stored in a Plastic Baggy
I typically bring a small amount of each of the following items and replenish my supply in towns, as needed. If you don’t want to buy everything separately, a good place to start is this pre-made travel/mini sized first aid kit or this Adventure Medical Kit, and then you can add in additional items you would like to bring.
Band-Aids - I take a few of each size.
Antiseptic Wipes - Bring a few.
Ibuprofen - I like to bring a small amount and store them in a small pill pouch.
Allergy Medicine (non-drowsy) - I like to bring a small amount and store them in a small pill pouch.
Leukotape - I only bring a small amount, not the entire roll. I like to wrap a small amount of it around my trekking pole.
KT Tape - I bring a few strips.
Tums - I like to bring a few and store them in a small pill pouch.
Repair Kit
Nothing fancy here, just a few items that could be useful if any of my gear breaks:
Duct Tape - I just bring a small amount that I wrap around my trekking pole
Sewing Kit - I usually bring a needle, one small thread roll, and a needle threader
Miscellaneous
Fanny Pack
High Tail Designs Wildflowers Fanny Pack
This is probably another one of my favorite pieces of gear. Having a fanny pack is such a game-changer when hiking. I like to put my phone, permit, snacks, and charging cords in here. It’s nice having some core gear that I use throughout the day easily accessible without having to take my backpack off. Plus, the High Tail Designs fanny pack is super fun and colorful.
Trekking Pole
Komperdell Carbon C3 Compact Trekking Pole (x1)
I mentioned this above, but I like to carry only a single trekking pole. It helps me stay stabilized while hiking, but still allows me to have a free hand. I also use it to set up my tent.
Sun Umbrella
Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon Ultralight Travel Umbrella
Wallet
Nothing fancy here. I just carried a plastic baggy with my license, credit cards, cash, and backpacking permit.
Sierra Additions
Bear Can - BearVault BV450
Head Net - Sea to Summit Mosquito Head Net
Fleece Gloves - Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Glove
Leggings - BALEAF Women's Fleece Lined Winter Leggings
Traction System - Kahtoola MICROspikes
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