Greg’s Super Ultra Mega Hyper Light PCT Gear List

The title says it all. It is time for the ever-anticipated post where I gloat over my far lighter and superior gear choices and make you question every piece of equipment you’ve purchased for your current and/or future thru-hikes. And yes, in case you were wondering, I did go with a blue theme this time around. It’s my favorite color and it brings out my eyes, dammit! So let’s get to it.

Gear

Quite a bit has changed since hiking the AT. The only pieces that made the cut for the PCT are my clothing stuff sack, Dirty Girl Gaiters, spork, and trekking poles. In my attempts to be as hip, colorful, and UL as possible, I’ve slowly acquired things that would bring me down to much more manageable base weight. I’m not going to list the weights of each individual item here as much as I’m going to describe my decision to go with each piece of gear, but you can head over to my LighterPack page and geek out over weights if that’s your thing.

Big Three

-Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20: Sooo soft. Oh yeah, it’ll keep me warm on those cold nights.

-Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite: I am a side sleeper and need a pad with more cushion so I don’t wake up with the sore hips of an 80 year old. I also went with a Tyvek ground cloth because of the minimal weight penalty over polycro and the fact that I didn’t want to feel like I was sleeping on top of a layer of saran wrap.

-Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo LE: This tent has plenty of space and ventilation and only needs one pole plus six stakes (MSR mini groundhogs) to set up. It’s not the lightest by any means, but I just couldn’t justify spending the money on a Zpacks Solplex at this time. Someday, Zpacks Someday.

-Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 L Pack: I first saw this pack featured in Neemor’s videos from his PCT thru, and began to wonder if it was time to replace my Golite Jam 40. The Kumo comes in a full pound lighter than the Jam and I found out that Gossamer Gear is headquartered in Austin as well. I’m all for supporting local businesses when it makes sense.

Packed Clothing

-Montbell Ex Lite Down Anorak: Before the AT, I made the mistake of ordering a down jacket that was almost two sizes too big. I told myself that before my next thru-hike, I would get a jacket that actually fit. This thing is killer.

-Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket: Six ounces lighter than my Arc’teryx jacket and packs down to half the size as well. A no-brainer if you ask me. And half the price, too.

Darn Tough 1/4 cushion Socks: I have nothing but great things to say about this company. They make a kick-ass product but, more importantly, they stand behind that product as well.

Defeet DuraGlove: Who knew that I’d be able to use items from my budding professional amateur cycling career. If these gloves can keep my hands warm at 25 mph in the cold and wet, I feel like they’ll keep them warm anywhere.

-Poler Stuff knitted beanie: How am I going to be an ultra-hip PCT thru-hiker if I’m not sporting something from them?

-Amazon Running Tights and LS Shirt: Amazon has been my best friend over the past few months for getting cheaper alternatives for normally expensive pieces of gear. We’ll see how these items fare, but for the price I can very easily replace them should they fail on me.

Worn Clothing

-Patagonia Duckbill Running Cap: I don’t like wearing baseball or trucker caps, and so when I saw this hat I knew that it would fit similar to the cycling caps I wear under my helmet. It’s well ventilated and has super cool print on the front to keep me looking fly on the trail.

-Patagonia Sol Patrol II Sun Shirt: Long sleeve. Super light. Makes me look like a fisherman. What more could I ask for?

-Buff Merino Wool Buff

-Amazon Running Shorts: Cheap and easily replaced for when I inevitably rip a hole right through the ass of these shorts.

-New Balance Leadville Shoes: I’ve worn these shoes for numerous multiday trips since the AT. They fit my feet and I figured I’d give them a try for the PCT. Plus, they’re blue!

-Darn Tough 1/4 Cushion Socks: Will be rotated with the other pair I have for when these get too funky.

-Austin Beer Works Fanny Pack: Easily my favorite brewery in town, and when they come out with swag like this it becomes impossible not to buy something with panda bears and unicorns on it. I’ll carry my phone, snacks, and miscellaneous items in here.

-Dirty Girl Gaiters: Nothing screams “I’m an asshole” more than a pair of gaiters with money printed on them.

Electronics

-Spot Transmitter: Peace of mind for those at home wondering whether I’ve been eaten by a mountain lion.

-Black Diamond Spot Headlamp

-Ravpower 10000 mAh battery: Cause Neemor said this one was better than Anker (supports QC).

-Anker QC Port

-Charging Cables

-Gorilla Pod: Specifically for when I want to take vain, staged photos of myself on the trail to boost my IG following.

Food and Water

-2 1.5L Smartwater Bottles: I prefer carrying bottles over bladders.

-2L Platypus Bladder: For the longer water carries.

-Sawyer Squeeze: So much better than bleach.

-Sawyer 1L Bladder: Dirty water container.

-Talenti Jar: Yes, I drank the cold-soaking Kool-Aid. Truth be told, I spent most of the AT without cooking meals. I’ll just be doing it with more finesse this time around.

-SnowPeak Titanium Spork

-Zpacks Food Bag: Light AF!

Miscellaneous Items and Sierra Gear

-Sea To Summit Bug: I hate it when bugs fly in my face. You very well might see me wearing this from the Sierra northward.

-Passport, wallet, permits

-Toiletries

-Deuce of Spades: Coolest poop scoop I could find.

-Kahtoola Microspikes

-Petzl Ice Axe

-Bear Vault

Items Not Pictured

-Oakley Radar EV Polarized Sunglasses: Full eye coverage while making me look like a bug. I can dig it.

-Leki Trekking Poles: You bet your ass I painted them blue.

There you have it. Jealous? Needing to revamp your current gear selection? I thought so. Anyway, this will probably be my last post before I hit the trail. In packing up my few mail drops the other day, reality hit me that I start the trail in less than a month. I hope to see and meet as many of you out on the trail that I can. I’ll be the guy wearing all blue.

*Disclaimer* I am a huge proponent of self-deprecating and sarcastic humor. Please don’t take offense from this post.

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Comments 8

  • Mike : Apr 22nd

    “Super Ultra Mega Hyper Light PC”

    Each item on that list is heavier than mine. Some significantly so. And I don’t consider myself uber lightweight. Plus there are completely unnecessary items like SPOT and ice axe. So I don’t think the title applies.

    Reply
    • Bobbity Bear : Apr 23rd

      I think his disclaimer covers this.

      Reply
    • Tje : Apr 23rd

      Maybe it’s not just the gear. Perhaps Greg was considering a full body wax? That would be super ultra mega lightweight!

      Reply
      • Greg Simpson : Apr 23rd

        How did you know? That’s the last thing on my to do list before I leave for Campo. Aero and creepy as hell.

        Reply
    • CK : Apr 23rd

      You must be in the sensational super mega hyper light category. :hands-clap-emoji:

      Reply
      • Greg Simpson : Apr 23rd

        I do what I can. People call me a trend setter. I just say that I’m amazing.

        Reply
  • Tom : Apr 23rd

    Your gear is heavy, fool. Try again. Hike next year, better yet, dont hike at all

    Reply
    • Greg Simpson : Apr 23rd

      Life update: I’m selling all of my gear and giving up my permit. Need to add some weight to your kit and/or start on the 12th of May?

      Reply

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