Dylan’s UL PCT 2018 Gear List

The weeks and months leading up to the start of any long-distance hike seem never-ending.  In an effort to feel connected or get some sort of accomplishment people will obsess over gear.  It’s something tangible, it directly relates to their upcoming adventure.  It does not, however, equate to any success.  The gear will not get you to Maine, Georgia, Campo, or Manning Park.  It only provides the tools required to do so.

My gear for the AT was highly researched and used for 151 days during my thru-hike in 2016.  I figured out what worked and what didn’t for the most part.  It also gave me ideas for things I felt I could change to improve my comfort while hiking. For that reason I have made two major changes to my gear for this hike.

Pack(s) – 16 oz

Pa’Lante V2 – Approx 40L volume (Last-minute change)

Thru. – Summit Bum Fanny pack

Shelter – 18 oz

Mountain Laurel Designs Cricket – .75 oz Cuben Fiber tarp

Mountain Laurel Designs Superlight Solo Bivy – Cuben floor

Tyvec ground sheet

Vargo Tent stakes

Vargo Dig Dig Tool

Sleep system – 32 oz (outside Sierras)

Feathered Friends – Hummingbird Nano 20*

Therm-a-Rest – Neoair X Lite Short

Gossamer Gear – Thinlight 1/8″ closed cell foam pad

Clothing Packed – 22 oz.

Terramar silk top and bottom

Montbell Thermowrap Parka

Montbell Dynamo Wind Pants

Montbell Stretch Wind Parka

NorthxNorth Hooded neck gaiter

Altera Alpaca Wool Explore Hiking socks (currently running 20% off coupon code hiker20)

Cooking – 12 oz

Vargo Titanium 700ml BOT

Vargo Ti long handle spoon

Optimus Crux stove

Katadyn BeFree 1L

Life Safety – 5 oz.

Vargo folding knife

TruNite Ti3 flashlight

Full-sized Bic lighter

First Aid

1/3 roll cloth athletic tape

Gold Bond Healing Ointment

Technology

iPhone 7+

Anker 10k mAh charger

Sony RX100 Mark V

The two biggest differences between my AT gear list are the Pa’Lante Pack replacing my ZPacks Arc Blast and the MLD Tarp/Bivy replacing my Big Agnes Copper Spur 2.  The weight savings for these two items alone is over two pounds, mostly from the tent.  I see no reason for anyone on a thru-hike to carry a freestanding tent any longer.  With the improvements in materials and design carrying a tent under two pounds should be the new standard for long-distance hiking.  For me the large and weighty Big Agnes tent was my single biggest gear regret on the AT.  I’m still getting used to setting up the tarp and bivy but I think they will work perfectly for my style of hiking.

My base weight (all items carried excluding food, water, and fuel) should hover around nine pounds for the majority of my hike.  This is about three pounds lighter than my AT hike. My hiking style has changed drastically since I stepped foot on Springer Mountain and my gear needs have adapted to fit it accordingly.

I did an unpacking video from my final shakedown hike.  This is 90 percent of the gear I’ll be using.  How does my list look to you?  Anything I might be missing?

Special thanks to NorthxNorth.com, Montbell, Altera Alapaca, and Vargo Titanium for their generosity.