This is the beginning to my PCT kit list. I'm trying to keep weight sub 7lb base.
Weights are generally pretty accurate for what is listed and some weights are omitted for now. It's still a work in progress. As it stands it is a about as spartan as it gets for me. I would appreciate the experienced PCT hikers to mull it over and offer and advice if they can.
At the bottom I have a small list of gear I can mail to myself and swap out while hiking or I can change out from the beginning. Things like poncho tarp vs tarp/jacket.
There are some UL things on here that I don't want to change because they're not trip compromising and I'm doing some own personally testing for myself. For instance, the 8 carbon tent stakes. I hear very mixed reviews on em. I have 2 different kinds. Supposedly the best on the market. So I want to give em a shot. If they suck or a break one, tent stakes are easy to repace/make do without for a while. I'm also in the mindset of setting up my tarp/poncho as needed because I have my bivy. I understand the weather on the PCT can get gnarly. Especially up north. However, the PCT is known for cowboy camping. So if I don't need my tarp for the majority of the nights, I also don't need tent stakes. So I'm willing to carry the minimal, ultralight carbons. Like I said, my own research for the hell of it. No biggie to swap to a couple MSR's from an outfitter.
My biggest change would be swapping out the poncho for the tarp/jacket combo. Each has their merits but the tarp and jacket definitely has GREATER advantages over the poncho tarp but it comes with a weight penalty. I'm not willing to give up my windshirt. Also, If I were to trade the poncho for the jacket, I feel like I would want a rain skirt or similar for more leg coverage (the poncho drapes down far enough I believe it's all I would need). The poncho also acts as a pack cover. But I'm aware of the disadvantages of the poncho as rain gear as well. What would you bring and why? I'm not trying to go fast, but I am trying to go light and I do appreciate a little comfort. Imo the 7x9 setup is utralight and the poncho tarp is SPARTAN.
I'm looking into an UL battery bank.
You'll also notice I'm not skimping on worn clothing. Full sun protection is a must for me. I get FRIED due to my pasty white Irish gene pool. One of my hiking buddies, a triple crowner, recommended the OR active ice items. He used em on the PCT/CDT and loved the system so I'm gonna give it a shot. I also get a deal at OR so if I wanted to switch out clothing mid trip. I could order from OR and get a good deal on some good clothes. But for now, I really like my worn clothing setup and don't feel like I would want to change anything.
I'm pa cking super light in the carried clothing right as of now. Like I said this is a SPARTAN list. I'm in the process of ADDING weight back to it, but I want to think about it critically. If I were to add clothes back right now it would be a spare top/bottom and my fleece liners. My concern is getting dumped on with freezing rain in socal and not having anything to change into in camp. What would you do and why?
I'll add some more H20 bottles for the desert.
I understand this list requires skill and smart decision making on trail. I'm not saying this is the list I'm heading out with, this is an incomplete list that I'm playing around with but looking for some advice from others.
I've had too much time to think about gear for the PCT... what I learned is that there has to be very, very few people on trail with sub 7 or even sub 8 pound kits. You have to give up a lot and go with really light gear. After trying to get my pack weight down, an 8.5lb base seems cushy.
For this trip I'm also spending a great deal of time organizing my consumables. Dialing in my food is a whole other topic. But I don't want to sabotage my ul kit by carrying way to much food.
I could drop some serious weight in my backpack. I'm being conservative though. Will most likely get a minimal framed pack over a frame less.
Thanks for the help to all you experienced PCT hikers.
I want to hike all day on this trip. I don't want to hike fast or have to push to hard all the time. I just want to travel light and enjoy myself more without the burden of a heavier pack. Not trying to hike a blazing fast speeds but if I need to put in some work every so often I'm fair game.
Getting dialed in and planning the PCT has really helped with post trail blues.
https://lighterpack.com/r/cdxz0f
please don't yell at me if something is missing or inaccurate. this is a work in process, not the holy grail of PCT kits.
Fastfox