A Peek in My Pack: Gear for My PCT Thru-Hike

Pack Shakedown

This piece will hold much more clout when I actually reach the Northern Terminus in the fall, but I wanted to offer a peek inside my pack. Below is a breakdown of the gear I’ll be taking on my PCT thru-hike. If you want links, cost, or weight for some of the gear, check my list here. I’ll be sure to update what I change out while on trail too. So far I love all of my gear and my base weight is just shy of 15 pounds. If you look at the price total and think, “OMG, I can’t ever do a thru-hike,” don’t be discouraged. This could have been done way cheaper. However, I’m a sucker for a sale, and had a really good quarter at work while I was gearing up.

Hiker Trash Uniform

  • Altra Lone Peak trail runners, a size too big to account for foot swelling. I can’t wait to get swole bruh!
  • Injinji Toe Socks
  • Gaiters: Dirty Girl Zebra Print Gaiters (see my April 1 Instagram for a sentimental zebra story about my Grandma)
  • Nike Dry Shorts 5″ (gotta show a little leg to get that hitch!)
  • Kuhl Hiking Shirt
  • Cheap sunglasses that I’ll likely lose in my first month
  • Buff Coolmax

The Big Three

Big 3!

  • Osprey Exos 58L Pack, complete with Harry Potter buttons. Slytherin Pride!
  • Zpacks Duplex Tent and Tyvek Ground Sheet
  • Sleep System: REI Magma 10, Therm-a-Rest Zlite foam pad
  • Pete, my pillow pet, who has been with me on countless adventures over the past ten years or so. My love for Penguins runs deep. They’re awkward, kind of obnoxious, but adorable birds who seem to struggle to do much of anything until you put them in their element. Then they’re graceful bad asses. Basically, me. I’m a penguin.

Packed Clothes and Accessories

Packed Clothes

  • Arc’teryx Cerium LT Down Jacket. Before this adventure, Chicago was home. I figured, if it works in Chicago, it’ll keep me warm on trail.
  • Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket
  • Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants
  • REI Co-Op Beanie
  • Seirus X-treme gloves
  • Ex Oficio boxer briefs
  • Uniqlo HeatTech long sleeve shirt and leggings to sleep in
  • Black Diamond Headlamp
  • Black Diamond Carbon Cork Trekking Poles
  • Kathoola Microspikes

The Kitchen

The Kitchen

  • Sawyer Squeeze water filter
  • Sawyer 64 oz and 1L bags
  • 4 smartwater bottles
  • MSR Pocket Rocket Stove and Pot
  • Talenti Jar for cold soaking
  • Sport and Swiss Army Knife

Emergencies and Shit (Pun Intended)

Emergencies and Shit

  • Anker brick to charge stuff
  • The Deuce trowel for digging poop holes
  • Two odor proof (OP) sacks. One for food and one for TP.
  • First aid stuff (blister treatment, poison ivy cream, a Giardia treatment RX, Band-Aids, etc.)

Sierra Switch

Sierra Switch

This are items I’ll have shipped right before the Sierra. Likely I’ll send them back after, then have them sent again for Washington.

  • BV500 Bear Can, complete with Marvel superhero stickers (nerd alert!)
  • Camp Corsa Ice Axe
  • Merino wool sleep shirt
  • Patagonia R1 Hooded Fleece
  • Injinji midweight socks
  • Wool Buff for colder weather
  • Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

I’m a Homeowner

That’s my home for the next five months. While I’m sure it’s going to change, my favorite pieces of gear right now are my puffy, Pete, and my sleeping bag. I definitely recommend trying all the different flavors of cold soak jar. I’ll be sure to update the changes as they happen on trail and do a “what worked and what didn’t” when I’m done!

XoXo

Gossip Girl

Matt

 

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