PCT Gear List Help for Hiking Newbie

Jmat · 01-04-2009, 11:27 AM © 2013 Practical Backpacking™ All Rights Reserved

I'm currently planning a PCT thru-hike, and I'm in the process of buying gear. Other than a trip to Big Bend last May, I have absolutely no hiking experience, and, aside from what I've read, I don't know what to expect. So I'm trying to put together a gear list that will work for all environs along the trail. Anything in RED I have NOT purchased yet.

Here's what I've put together so far:

Clothing & Footwear:
Baselayer - top - Under Armour Longsleeve UV- 5.10 oz
Baselayer - top - Under Armour Longsleeve Mock UV - Cold Gear - 7.20 oz
Baselayer - bottom - CW-X Stabilyx Tight UV - 8.30 oz
Baselayer - bottom - Brooks Men's Equilibrium Boxer Underwear - 3.00 oz
Gaiters - Simblissity LevaGaiter - 1.80 oz
Gloves - DeFeet DuraGlove Black - 2.00 oz
Gloves - MLD eVENT Rain Mitts - 0.90 oz
Headwear - Head Sweats The SuperVisor 1.80 oz
Headwear - Bandana - 1.00 oz
Jacket - GoLite Virga Jacket - 8.00 oz
Pants - Convertible Pants Ex Officio (Shorts 7.60 oz - Pant Legs .60 oz)
Shirt - Nike Dry-Fit Short Sleeve Shirt - 5.70 oz
Shirt - GoLite Wisp Wind - 3.00 oz
Shoes - Montrail Streak - 11.70 oz
Socks - Wigwam Ultimax Triathlete - 1.10 oz
Socks - Wigwam Wool Socks - 1.70 oz
Sunglasses - 1.00 oz
Glasses - 0.50 oz

Cooking & Hydration
Fuel - 4oz Bottle Denatured Alcohol - 5.00 oz
Pot - REI Ti Ware Nonstick Titanium Pot 0.9 Liter - 4.93 oz
Stove - Homemade Cat Can Alcohol Stove - 0.30 oz
Utensil - Spork Snow Peak Titanium Short Spork - 0.50 oz
Water bottle - Platypus 1L Bottle (.8 oz each) - 0.80 oz
Water bottle - Platypus 2.4L Bottle x 2 (1.2 oz each) - 2.40 oz
Water treatment - Aquamira BPL Dropper Bottles - 0.40 oz
Windscreen - Homemade Aluminum Foil - 0.30 oz

Electronics - Navigation - Lighting
Camera - not sure yet
Compass - Suunto M-3D Leader Compass Luminous - 1.60 oz
GPS - not sure
Lighting - Photon Freedom Micro - 0.40 oz
Lighting - Black Diamond Spot 1 Head Lamp wo/batteries - 1.80 oz
Watch - not sure yet

First Aid & Toiletries
Duct Tape - 2ft. role - 0.30 oz
Superglue - single use tube - 0.10 oz
Blisters - Leukotape P 1 ft. role - 0.10 oz

Face Wash - 3 fl oz Bottle - 4.00 oz
SPF Lip Balm - 0.30 oz
Sunscreen - 3 fl oz Manufacturers Bottle - 4.00 oz
Sportslick -
Dr. Bronners Soap - 2 fl oz Manufacturers Bottle - 2.70 oz
Wet Wipes - 4.00 oz
Toothbrush - 1.30 oz
Toothpaste - 1 fl oz Round Bottle - 1.70oz

Misc
AAA Batteries - 1.30 oz
Bear Canister -
Crampons -
Deet - 0.50 oz
Simblissity Ultralight Headnet - 0.33 oz
Ice Axe -
Leatherman Micra - 1.80 oz
Plastic Potty Trowel - 1.90 oz
Sunglass Case - 6.10 oz
REI Peak UL Carbon Trekking Poles - 12.50 oz
Wallet - DL, CC, DB, Cash, Phone Card, Permits - 2.00 oz
Whistle - 0.70 oz

Packing
Pack - ULA Catalyst - 47.00 oz
Pack Liners - Trash Bag - 1.40 oz
Stuff Sacks - For Food, Toiletries, Quilt - 3.00 oz

Sleeping & Shelter
Bivy Sack - MLD Superlight Bivy - 6.20 oz
Pad - Thermarest Prolite 3 Small - 13.70 oz
Quilt - Nunatak Arc Ghost - 16.00 oz
Tent - Tarptent Rainbow - 36.00 oz

Current pack weight = 12 lbs 5 oz. Out-of-Skin weight = 16 lbs 6 1/2 oz
The pack weight doesn't include a camera, crampons, bear canister, or ice axe

Here is the reasoning for some of the items:

UV Gear - My skin is so fair that it's nearly translucent, so I need to cover up as much as possible. My options were UV gear or more sunscreen. I figured the UV gear was better.
Black Diamond Head Lamp - Seems redundant - was going to use for emergencies and possible night hiking
Face Wash - Because I'll be slathering on sunscreen religiously, I'd like to be able to remove it at the end of the day.
Leatherman Micra - I wear glasses, and need a tiny screwdriver for glasses screws. And the scissors are more robust, though I am looking for something lighter.
Sunglasses Case - I have a pair of Rx Oakleys, which are annoyingly expensive. Need to protect at all cost.
Thermarest Prolite 3 - On my Big Bend trip, I had a hard time sleeping on a foam pad.

Again, my only knowledge of the trail is what I've read, and reading isn't a substitute for hiking experience. So please, break this down. Tear it apart. Is the clothing listed sufficient for the cold? Is my sleeping/shelter system adequate for the High Sierras? I was trying to find something lighter than the Tarptent Rainbow. Maybe switch to the Tarptent Sublite Sil?

All help is appreciated.
Thanks,
jmat

Grannyhiker · 01-04-2009, 02:35 PM © 2013 Practical Backpacking™ All Rights Reserved

A few things come to mind as I briefly look through your list.

Base layer--just use the lighter one. Thicker baselayers next to your skin hold more sweat so get wetter and take longer to dry. If it's cold, add an insulating layer between the baselayer and your shell.

Insulating layer--I didn't see one. Nights can be cold (like below freezing) in the desert and the S. CA mountains in spring, in the high Sierra anytime, in the WA Cascades in fall). If it's cold and wet, you'll need to put on an insulating layer under your rain jacket when you stop and take it off when you start hiking. Unless you're a large person, consider the Montbell UL Thermawrap (just order it a size larger than you normally get; they run really small). Very light (mine, women's L, is 7.9 oz.) and very warm. Watch for sales. Fleece is fine (and cheaper) but is heavier and much less compressible. You might also need this insulation layer inside your sleeping bag on cold nights, especially if days of rain has made your bag's insulation degrade. You also want a balaclava, or a warm knit cap plus neck gaiter, to make up for no hood on your quilt. A cotton bandanna is not going to keep your head warm, and that's where you lose the most heat (all those blood vessels right under your skin). A head covering is the easiest way to regulate your body temperature while you're hiking in cold weather. September or early October in the Washington Cascades could be lovely with warm days and below-freezing nights, or it could be constantly raining, or it could be snowing.

Short sleeve shirt--the sun is going to fry you in both the desert and in high elevations, even without your fair skin. Long sleeves will save you lots of sunscreen. I'd suggest using the bandanna in combination with the visor for more protection or, better yet, a broad-brimmed hat. I have fair skin, too, and wouldn't dream of going out without my Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat. With that I can go without sunscreen on my face and neck unless I'm near water or snow. Sunscreen can do only so much, and it's better to be covered up than to burn. Consider lightweight cotton gloves or the hand covers you can get from Sun Precautions.

Socks--this is one item for which I would take an extra pair. Maybe two pair. I'd also get merino wool socks instead of the Wigwam (unless those are merino)--pricey, but per my experience they dry much faster than the traditional thick wool hiking socks. You need to experiment to see if maybe lighter single socks (merino wool) will work better with the trail runners.

Rain pants--you'll need these at least in Washington where even when it isn't raining you'll be walking through soggy grass and brush. (Hopefully you'll get through Oregon, which also has lots of brush, before the fall rains start). Consider the Brawny Gear rain pants from BPL (3.2 oz.). Breathability isn't as important with pants as with a jacket. You'll be really glad to have waterproof leg covering if it snows, which it probably will.

Toiletries--repackage liquids into the little dropper bottles and keep the originals in your "bounce box." You need no more than 0.5 oz., including the bottle, at a time. Why do you need two different soaps (face wash and Dr. Bronner's)? Instead of toothpaste, try baking soda (dentist recommended and has lots of other uses)--much lighter.

GPS--if you have map and compass, the GPS is not needed. In addition to the weight of the GPS, there's the weight of extra batteries. You'll be on a well-defined trail.

You will need a good headlamp for night hiking, which you may want to do if it gets hot in the S. California desert. You will definitely need to hike until after dark when the days get shorter in September.

You've left out some items, like matches and/or lighter, unless I missed it. For first aid, I'd suggest a few nonstick gauze pads, maybe a little "Second Skin" dressing. You don't want to put duct tape over raw flesh! Maybe a tiny tube of antibiotic ointment (infection prevention) and of antifungal ointment. I take half of a 1/2 oz. tube of each, or you can find "single shot" packets. What about medications? Anti-diarrheal (Lotromin or similar)? Pain (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)? Those tiny plastic ziplocks you can find at craft stores (bead section) are great for storing medications. Put a paper label inside.

Toilet paper? I take 2 sections of paper towel (each 6" x 11") and one wet wipe per day--for 10 days that's 4 oz. total for both (being female, I need more). Be sure to pack out the used stuff. Repackage the wet wipes in a small ziplock bag. The plastic potty trowel is useless--unless the ground is soft and wet, it won't even scratch the surface. Use your ice axe while you have it; otherwise use your heel, a stick or a tent stake.

Wallet--consider a plastic ziplock sandwich bag with those items in it.

Experience: Test all your gear in your back yard (or someone else's, if you don't have one), especially in inclement weather. Practice putting your tent up and taking it down until you can do it easily on a dark, windy, rainy night. Practice cooking outside with your stove. Practice setting up and breaking down camp until you can do it fast and efficiently. Go on as many weekend backpacks as you can, even if just in the local state park, preferably in bad weather. Try to get out and hike 2-3 hours per day (or as long as you can) with a pack, in the footwear you'll be using, and then a long hike (work up to 20-25 miles) with pack on weekends. Try toughening up your feet with alcohol use (externally on the feet, that is) daily. You need to be able to hike 20 miles per day comfortably before you start.

I presume you've read all the information on the PCTA web site and have jointed the *****. Remember that this year you'll need a passport to get back into the US from Canada.

Reality · 01-04-2009, 03:30 PM © 2013 Practical Backpacking™ All Rights Reserved

Here are some thoughts...

- Consider a mug (SP 600, IMUSA), if you are simply boiling water.
- Use CLO2 tablets instead of liquid. They work faster (yes I said that), they are lighter, easier to use, no spills, individually wrapped (not compromising other doses when opened), doesn't freeze like liquid (toward end of nobo hike), no mess, no mis-counting dosage/drops... [See more doing a search on Micropur and/or CLO2 here on PBF]
- Note on the GPS: If you do side excursions and off-trail resource use (e.g. springs not listed...) or plan to make waypoints for whatever reasons, then take it. However, if you're like many others, it will most-likely be dead weight in your pack and rarely if ever used. That said, I rarely see most hikers ever using a compass (but keep it with you - especially if you know how to use it).
- That BD headlamp eats batteries. In that category, the e+Lite ends up being lighter overall...considering superior battery performance.
- Improvise the sunglass case with already carried gear and save over 1/4 of weight.
- What is your reasoning regarding carrying the bivy along with the tent?
- By the way, would you be OK with using a tarp?
- You may want to add a pack cover to a resupply for the notorious rainy areas (depending upon direction/timing) -- e.g. WA. Two or three ounces for a cover can save carrying pounds of rainwater (though may not be an issue - just a thought).

YMMV

Reality

Miner · 01-04-2009, 04:09 PM © 2013 Practical Backpacking™ All Rights Reserved

I'm also planning on hiking the PCT this year. While your weight is looking good, its missing numerous small items that do add up (toliet paper, toothpaste, notepad/pen, bic lighters, maps, whiste, etc) and your 1st aid kit seems a little too light and where's the Advil (vitamin I)? Mine's closer to 2.5 but has some antiseptic pads and some bandages for when (not if) you cut open your skin on a fall,etc) somewhere along the 2600 miles. My baseweight is 12lbs 10oz but includes 2lbs of camera/camcorder gear+another pound of extras such as cell phone, book, harmonica etc). However, in the Sierras, it goes up to 17lbs due to bear can, ice axe/crampons and an extra or heavier layer of clothing. I can't post the list here since its in a highly formated spread sheet that doesn't lend itself easily to copy/pasting in a text format here.

I have to question your quilt. Thats a 32F one? The lower humidity of the west means that the heat of the day doesn't last overnight. You will face several nights below freezing all along your trip starting in the deserts of SoCal and temperatures down into the high teens in the Southern Sierra depending on the year and time you pass through. You can get away with a 30F bag/quilt if you have the proper additional layers to wear to bed. However, you really should experiment with your sleep system in cold weather (such as in your back yard so you can run inside if it doesn't work out) in temperatures that you expect to face. I'm using a GoLite Ultra 20 (20F rating though some say its optimistic) that I've used in 20F windy weather so I know what to expect.

I also was wondering what your mid layer was? All I see is 2 baselayers (why 2?) Most use a lightweight down or fleece jacket over their baselayer and under their rain gear for warmth. I use a Montbell down jacket (6oz) that is warmer then anything I see on your list. People prone to getting cold often use a Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket.

As a SoCal resident, I also recommend long sleeves/pants (pick a light color such as white or tan) for the deserts. If you burn easy, a broad hat like a Tilley's LT6 or a Sunday Afternoons hat work well. Though many just wear a cap with a bandanna hanging out the back to cover the next. Some carry an umbrella and claim its cooler under it (providing its covered in Mylar/space blanket like stuff).

I don't see a wind screen for your stove. Alcohol/esbit stoves need them. A 4oz fuel bottle may not be large enough; you will have several segements where you need at least 6days of fuel. In the Sierras, you may need even more. A standard 16oz plastic drink bottle will work for this and is often lighter.

The bivy sack is not necessary if you are carrying a tarp tent as its extra weight. Consider a tarp instead if you think you'll spend most nights cowboy camping (but then you have to consider bug protection as well; I use a MLD BUg bivy or the net in my TiG DWP bivy).

Grannyhiker · 05:07 PM

Is the Petzl e+light bright enough for night hiking? I know that most through-hikers are hiking until 9-10 pm by the time they get to Washington (I've met a number of them and they're all in a hurry!). I would get a headlamp that is regulated so can use lithium batteries and which is plenty bright enough for night hiking, whether in the desert or in the North Cascades. (Lithium batteries are lighter, last longer and work better in the cold.) The lighter headlamp would be fine for the longer days of, say, late May through early August.

I sure missed the bivy; I agree with Reality that it's not needed with any of the Henry Shires tents. It would be needed with a tarp, though.

Murphy's Law of Sunglasses states that your expensive pair will get lost or broken the first month. It's happened to me every time I've gotten prescription sunglasses. You might want to consider something a little less expensive that you don't have to worry about babying.

Jmat · 01-04-2009, 06:36 PM © 2013 Practical Backpacking™ All Rights Reserved

Thanks for the responses.

Grannyhiker,
I appreciate the recommendations. It is the cold that I'm most apprehensive about. Being from Texas, extended cold is a bit of a foreign concept. The UA Coldgear is supposed to be moisture wicking, insulating layer, but I've only used it for running - brief periods - not extended use. I don't know how well it will work. I will look into the Montbell UL Thermawrap and getting something for my head.

My toothpaste is Rx, and to be used only once per day. I didn't want to bring multiple pastes, but I saw Skurka and others using Dr. Bronner's for dual-purpose. I'll scrap the face wash and use Dr. Bronner's as a multipurpose. And I've promptly scrapped the potty trowel.

I don't know what to do about the sunglasses. The Rx sunglasses used by the military, ESS Recons, are supposed to be shock resistant. That might be an option. I just know Big Bend taught me that contacts on the trail is problematic. So my standard glasses combined with Rx sunglasses is the only thing I know of.

Reality,
I was going to send my compass up trail for the Sierras, but I have no clue how to use it as of yet. And I was thinking of setting waypoints to map water resources and my progress, but the GPS will probably be a cost permitting final purchase, after all the gear.

The Tarptent I got for my Big Bend trip, and I really do love it. I liked the bathtub floor concept as a fail safe for pitching in a bad area. I got the bivy for flexibility (sleeping with just bivy, pad, and quilt), and as an extra layer of insulation, if I did pitch the tent. I'm certainly not opposed to using a tarp, but again, no experience. I've hit a lot of UL manufacturers websites for tarps. If you have any recommendations, that would be appreciated. The Rainbow does come in a 36oz, so I'm looking to lighten that load.

Thanks for the help,
jmat

Reality · 01-04-2009, 07:24 PM © 2013 Practical Backpacking™ All Rights Reserved

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grannyhiker

Is the Petzl e+light bright enough for night hiking? I know that most through-hikers are hiking until 9-10 pm by the time they get to Washington (I've met a number of them and they're all in a hurry!).

Well, it depends upon who one asks - as with a lot of other gear choices. I've hiked over the years at dark without any light artificial whatsoever (as have millions of others over the centuries). And I've hiked using a mini Freedom LED. I've only been out a couple of times at night with the e+Lite but it did absolutely fine for me. I've also recently used an EOS - which really does the job as does my Tikka XP. As with any and all gear, test test test... Oh, and I should say, the e+Lite has 4 LEDs (3 white, 1 red) - and Jmat was opting for 1 LED in the BD model.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grannyhiker

I would get a headlamp that is regulated so can use lithium batteries and which is plenty bright enough for night hiking, whether in the desert or in the North Cascades.

The e+Lite only uses lithium.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grannyhiker

Murphy's Law of Sunglasses states that your expensive pair will get lost or broken the first month. It's happened to me every time I've gotten prescription sunglasses. You might want to consider something a little less expensive that you don't have to worry about babying.

Jmat, that is very good advice from Grannyhiker regarding getting a less expensive pair for thru-hiking (as long as they are also good on the snow fields). YMMV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmat

I'm certainly not opposed to using a tarp, but again, no experience. I've hit a lot of UL manufacturers websites for tarps. If you have any recommendations, that would be appreciated.

I certainly have a lot to say about tarps. And I can go into all of the pros/cons and such. I've used them quite a lot over the years and find them to be wonderful - especially for thru-hiking. Have a listen to the PB Podcast episode Tarps 101 if you haven't already. You'll find some tips there. I'll get back to you with more soon.

Reality

Joker · 01-23-2009, 02:41 AM © 2013 Practical Backpacking™ All Rights Reserved

Let me start this by saying I'm a 2008 successful thru-hiker of the PCT. I'll be thru-hiking again in 2009, and I'm very confident in my gear and skillset. I started April 16th, entered the Sierras June 5th and finished September 15th.

I'm an ultralighter, though I didn't start as one, and thus I go light on a lot of gear because the PCT conditions are so forgiving. Keep in mind this is PCT-specific advice, not general backpacking advice.

First off, I see a lot of chatter about insulating layers and the clothing you're carrying. The clothing looks fine to me. To be honest, it seems like you're carrying a little more than you need. I would select one shirt, and just wear that. I carried additional clothing in the beginning, but I never changed into it on the trail, only in town. Consider starting a bounce/drift box, and keep the additional clothing in there. Then if the particular shirt you've selected seems wrong, next town you can swap it out for another one. I found in the desert that wearing a short sleeve shirt was fine. I'm fair-skinned but I can build a base tan that keeps me from burning after spending a few days in the sun. However, if you're really that sun sensitive, I would just wear the long-sleeve shirt and leave your other shirts in town.

As far as insulating layers, everyone else's advice is good. I'd wear the long sleeve and keep a mont-bell UL midlayer or mont-bell thermawrap (the UL midlayer is down and thus not good for hiking in, it would be more for sleeping or while in camp, but is about 3 or 4 ounces, half the weight of the thermawrap) in my pack. I found that while hiking I never needed insulation, which is why you might consider the down midlayer. This is a topic where it's important to know yourself.

Your kitchen set has one small detail that strikes me as a bad idea. A non-stick pot with a metallic utsensil. Your titanium spork will scrape the non-stick coating off the pot if you are not super-careful. And let me tell you, scraping out the last drops of that lipton side from your pot will be a frequent habit. Consider switching to a lexan spoon or spork, this will save you from the increased risk of cancer from eating teflon and is also lighter than a titanium spork anyway.

Be careful of platypus bladders. A normal backpacking trip is fine for them, but on the PCT the increased wear will cause them to spring leaks, especially along the seams. I didn't know anyone who used a platypus bladder who didn't have some sort of leaking issue. And then it leaks all over your stuff in your pack. I used gatorade or similar water bottles, many 1L ones. Keep all your water in several small containers, this way if one fails in the middle of a 25 mile waterless stretch, you only lose 1L instead of 1.5 or 3L.

Be careful of montrails, they run really small and narrow. I'll assume you know your feet but many people on the PCT, especially at the start, discovered their feet were wider than they realized and got awful blisters from montrails. Make sure your feet work with them over long stretches. If you have narrow feet montrails are fantastic, but if you have wide feet they can be a torture device.

As far as rain pants go, I wouldn't worry about it. Fact of the matter is, you're going to be one wet son of a gun in a washington rain storm, especially if it goes on for more than a single day. If a rainstorm lasts a couple hours, you can stay dry, but otherwise... You could roll yourself up in seran wrap before you roll out of town but after a couple hours hiking in the rain, you'll be wet. They're dead weight. It's more important to have wicking gear that will keep you warm in the rain, less so than dry. I'm sure tons of people will disagree with me on this, but it worked for me and we had 3 weeks of wicked rain in northern oregon and southern washington this year.

It's good to be prepared, but it's also good to realize that the odds of encountering rain in washington are pretty low in September of most years. It should be your goal, and don't kill yourself over it, to finish by the end of september. The people who encounter cold rain, snow and similar miserable conditions are generally those who are still hiking come october. I'm a Washington resident, so I'm not just talking from limited experience here.

I also see some people talking about low temps in the Sierra. That's somewhat true -- the Sierras were the coldest stretch for me, even counting Washington when it was raining (and I had ice form on my tent). But I never experienced lows in the teens, nor have I in my other early-season trips to the Sierras. I think this is easy to figure -- always camp at low elevations. Plan your days so you get over the pass (the sierras become all about "getting over the pass" and still have time to get down into the next river valley before you camp. And then set up camp not in low spots like right on the shore of the river. Stay a bit above it. Cold air sinks -- you'll clearly see this demonstrated when you're hiking in the morning. Get down low in elevation but then try and camp on a raised lump or at least away from places where cold air will settle. I found that getting about a half mile from the stream crossing was the best idea.

But if you do that, camp at low elevations and avoid cold sinks, you can get away with that 32F quilt if you're a warm sleeper. I'm a VERY warm sleeper, I used a Western Mountaineering Summerlite on the PCT and rarely had to even use the hood. Of course, I have a tent (a full tent). You might want to up your sleeping gear to 25F or even 20F if you're worried, but no warmer than that is necessary unless you're a cold sleeper. This is a tough topic to call, since it has a LOT to do with your metabolism, fat reserves, what you had for dinner, your shelter, etc. etc. I think a big factor in your quilt being sufficient would be getting a shelter that insulates a bit, like a tent. A simple tarp won't add any warmth, but if you got yourself a tarptent it might help a bit. You'll have to test this out, it's very personal.

I wore contacts on the trail -- I didn't take them out while out hiking but then removed them during zero days in town to use the cleansing solution. This worked fine for me, but I don't have particularly sensitive eyes. You might consider wearing contacts and using the blink-and-clean solution I've seen around while on trail, then remove them during zero days in town.

I didn't use sunglasses in socal or oregon/washington. I used them on snow (you pretty much HAVE to, to prevent snow blindness) in the sierras and lost/broke five pairs before I got clear of the area where I felt like I had to have them.

But overall, your gear list looks pretty good.

Reality · 01-23-2009, 03:52 PM © 2013 Practical Backpacking™ All Rights Reserved

Quote: