Pacific Crest Trail 2022 Final Gear List (almost ultralight, 10.97 lbs)
On August 5th, 2022, I completed my 93-day thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail when I touched the Canadian border. The gear I finished with was not the same exact gear I started with. In this post, I’ve compiled the entire list of gear I finished my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike with. Wondering what gear I started out with? Check out this post which contains a packing list of everything I started the PCT with: Pacific Crest Trail Gear List (lightweight, 11.6 lbs).
My ending 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) was 10.97 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 8.24 pounds. Here is my LighterPack with each item’s weight listed.
I’ve organized my gear into the following sections if you want to jump ahead:
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Backpack
Backpack
Pa'lante V2 Gridstop, 16" (2019 version)
I started my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike with the Gossamer Gear Kumo 36L pack, but I switched to my Pa’lante V2 Gridstop for my final week on trail. I really love both packs, but I switched to the Pa’lante because it has a bottom snack pocket which makes it easier to eat and hike at the same time. Snacking while hiking was key for me as I was trying to push bigger days to finish my hike on day 93. If you’re looking for a pack with a bit more volume, I recommend the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50L pack, which I took on the John Muir Trail and loved!
Pack Liner
The Pa’lante V2 gridstop 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 Bag 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. A lot of companies make similar products. Another good option is the Gossamer Gear Clear Waterproof Pack Liner.
Shelter
Tent
Gossamer Gear’s The One Tent (17.7 oz)
I started my PCT thru-hike with a High Tail Designs tarp, which I absolutely loved, but when I reached Northern California and Oregon in peak mosquito season, I switched to my Gossamer Gear The One tent (17.7 oz), which helped me sleep so much better at night without the hum of mosquitos in my ears.
Tent Pole
Six Moon Designs 5 Section Pole - 49" Aluminum (3.7 oz)
I used one 49’’ Six Moon Designs Aluminum pole along with a trekking pole to set up my tent. This tent pole weighs in at only 3.7 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 brought six (6) of the Vargo Ti Shepherds Hook Stakes (8 grams/stake) and two (2) MSR Groundhog stakes (0.5 ounce/stake) for the ridge lines.
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 quilt for my entire Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. I was happy with this temperature rating because the night I left South Lake Tahoe it got down to 20 degrees, but it kept me toasty warm, even when cowboy camping.
Curious about 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 - I started my PCT thru-hike wearing the Outdoor Research Women’s Echo Sun Hoodie, and I replaced it with a Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie that I shipped to Timberline Lodge, Oregon. I did LOVE my OR Echo Sun Hoodie, which lasted me 1,600+ miles, but it was very dirty and a little stretched out by then, so it was time for a new one. I needed a new shirt and wanted to switch up the color and I thought the blood orange color “Canyon” was a lot of fun.
Shorts - I started my thru-hike wearing these Lululemon Shorts (low-rise, 2.5 inch) and switched to the Vuori Studio Pocket Shorts which I mailed to Burney Falls, CA. I now prefer hiking in biker shorts, but the Lululemon Shorts did hold up really well and dried really fast! Next time, I would probably wear the high-waisted, 4-inch version of the Lululemon shorts.
Shoes - Altra Lone Peaks - I went through 6 pairs of these shoes! I love them.
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 & Altra 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 *I mailed home my fleece gloves from Seiad Valley, California
Puffy Jacket - Arc’teryx Cerium LT (this exact model is not made anymore, but the Cerium Hoody is the updated version of my jacket) *I mailed home my puffy from Seiad Valley, California
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 *When I went home for the day when I reached Snoqualmie Pass (I live near Seattle), I decided to drop this from my pack for the last week because Washington was going through a heat wave and I really didn’t need it anymore.
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
Dr. Bronner’s Soap *I didn’t carry this past the first week because the bottle kept leaking
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 *I carried my sun umbrella for the entirety of the desert (it came in very handy on 90+ degree days) and mailed it back home from Bishop, California (first post office I reached after finishing the desert)
Another good option is the Gossamer Gear Lightrek Hiking (Chrome) 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 *I had this mailed to Kennedy Meadows South and I mailed it back home from South Lake Tahoe
If you need more volume, another popular and larger bear can I saw most people use on the PCT is the larger BearVault BV500. I could fit max 4-5 days of food in my BearVault BV450, so if you plan on having longer food carries through the Sierra, I recommend the BearVault BV500.
Head Net - Sea to Summit Mosquito Head Net *I had this mailed to Kennedy Meadows South and I kept it with me for the rest of my hike. The bugs were the worst for me in Oregon (Washington was a close second near White Pass).
Leggings - BALEAF Women's Fleece Lined Winter Leggings *I had these mailed to Kennedy Meadows South and I mailed them back home from Seiad Valley, California
Traction System - Kahtoola MICROspikes *I had these mailed to Kennedy Meadows South and I mailed them back home from Belden, California. The first time I used my spikes was at Sonora Pass and a few other passes north of it.
