Flash Gordon’s PCT 2018 Gear List

Let’s get right to the gear.  Below is my 2018 PCT gear list.

Base Weight = 13.28 pounds

A few points before we dive in.

–I am hiking with my fiance, who will be carrying our cookset and tent body, so you won’t see these items on my list here.

–After taking the photos, I decided to carry my GoPro HER04 Session and it is included in my LighterPack.

Sierra items are included in my LighterPack, but without weights as I wanted to show my base weight for the beginning of the trail.

The Big Three

Find these items here:

Gossamer Gear Mariposa

LL Bean Microlite UL2

EE Revelation 10-Degree Quilt

Therm-a-Rest ZLite Sol

Clothing, Worn

Find these items here:

Patagonia Women’s Tropic Comfort Crew

Patagonia Baggies

Nike Dri-Fit Sports Bra

Patagonia Hipster Briefs

Darn Tough Socks

Altra Lone Peak

Dirty Girl Gaiters

Half Buff

Trucker Hat

Clothing, Packed

Find these items here:

Tachyon Anorak

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer

OR Helium II

REI Base Layer top and bottom

Darn Tough camp socks

Teva Sandals

Skida Alpine Hat

LL Bean Power Stretch Gloves

 

Kitchen and Water

Find these items here:

Snow Peak Spork

Platypus Bladder

Sawyer Squeeze

Electronics

Find these items here:

BD Spot Headlamp

Nuud LifeProof case

Anker 20100mAh Charger

GoPro Hero Session 4

Toiletries

 

Miscellaneous

Find these items here:

REI Traverse Powerlock poles

ZPacks Drybag

8L Evac Dry Sack

Flowfold Zipper Pouch Wallet

Petzel Knife

 

Sierra

Find these items here:

CAMP USA Corsa

Kahtoola Microspikes

BV500

And since you made it all the way to the end, I’ll reward you with a few more details.

–I’m carrying only three of the same items that I used on my 2013 AT thru-hike: nail clippers, duct tape, and a two-liter stuff sack. Exciting, huh? When I began planning my gear list last year, I thought I would be reusing way more from the AT. Nope.

–Hint. If you like using small plastic bags for keeping things dry and organized, I used the bag that my Dirty Girl Gaiters came in for my first aid kit and the bag from my Gossamer Gear pack liners for my journal.

–I’m a terrible sleeper. I contemplated purchasing an inflatable sleeping pad; however, I chose not to after considering the risk of puncture and my noisy side-to-side switching. I decided to stick with the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol as I did on the AT, but upgrade to full-length. I found it comfortable except on my hips. Every night, I would wake up on one side and switch over to the other – again and again. Coincidentally, my new Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 pack has a removable foam pad, so I’ve decided to secure that to the middle of my sleeping pad for extra support. My cat, Pi, will demonstrate its comfort.

The Right Gear

I have spent hours and hours attempting to make the best gear choices possible; however, I know from experience that this list will change along the trail. Accepting the fact that you don’t have to get all of your gear picks right from the beginning takes a lot of weight off your shoulders. There’s always time for change and improvement along the way.

My gear list is not perfect, and I’m perfectly OK with that.

You can check out my LighterPack list here.

Also, still attempting to convince my cat that he wants to live on top of my pack for five months.