Two Speed’s 2018 PCT NOBO Gear List: Hammock Edition

I am set to head off into the sunset on March 25 at the Mexican border so in an effort to get my own act together  I put together my gear list below.  While the AT taught me many many things about thru hiking all my research on the PCT has led me to the conclusion that my gear needed to be dialed in for a colder more remote trail in general.  Also, I have swapped out items to get my pack base weight down to be able to carry stuff for sleeping on the ground(eww), extra water, more food, an ice axe, spikes, and a heavy bear canister.  As far as the weights for the items go I am not even close to being ultralight but also try to choose durable light weight choices.

Shelter

• Hammock Gear Cuben Fiber Tarp with doors
  • Lightest hammock tarp on the market for the coverage (imo)
  • Already survived one thru hike
  • Includes DIY mesh snake skins and DIY mesh bag
• 6 Zpacks Carbon fiber stakes
  • DIY mesh bag for stakes
• Polycro ground sheet
  • Used for ground sleeping and to put my backpack on when hammocking
• Dutchware Half-zipped hammock with integrated bug net(modified)
  • Hammock suspension has been swapped out for hummingbird button link system.  This saves weight of a dutch biner or soft shackle to connect your continuous loop to your whoopie sling.
  • Includes DIY mesh ridgeline organizer
  • Hammock will also double as a bivy when I have to sleep on the ground.
  • stored in double ended stuff sack to protect netting
• Hummingbird Tree Strap combo
  • lightest tree strap whoopie sling combo I have found

Backpack

• Gossamer Gear Gorilla 40L
  • No brain (2018 model doesnt have this, guess they came to their senses after seeing so many people leave them at home.)
  • No frame (replaced by zlite discussed below)
  • No hip belt(replaced by hipster fanny pack)
    • I tested this on shakedowns and am ok with it(not for everyone)
  • Various pieces trimmed off to save weight
  • Compactor Bag
• Zpacks should strap pocket
  • I keep my daily snacks, wireless earphones, sunglasses, and trash from said daily snacks
• Waymark gear shoulder strap pocket
  • Large pocket where I keep my phone and more snacks
• Gossamer Gear LT4 trekking poles
  • for hiking and tarp set up if I have to go to ground.

Fanny Pack

• Hipster Fanny pack from gossamer gear
• Going to keep hand sanitizer, water filter, maps, and assorted snacks

Note: Anything you can do to avoid taking your pack off so you can snack or even lunch while walking is a good option.

Sleep System

• Enlightened Equipment 20F Revelation quilt 950 down
  • Note: If I could go back in time I’d get the Enigma.  I am very pro sewn footbox after experiencing cold spots at times from ends that aren’t sewn.
• Hammock Gear Phoenix ¾ Under quilt 20F 950 down
  • Can be used as extra blanket if sleeping on ground and it gets extra chilly
  • Note: 950 down isn’t an option on their website, you have to special order and make sure you bring money.
• 6 sections of thermarest zlite
  • needed for feet due to ¾ underquilt and as pad if going to sleep on ground, plan to use my pack under my feet
  • Also using as sit pad and frame for my pack
  • Basically the z seat before you ounce counters cut two sections off
• Insta-camp inflatable pillow
  • I always use a pillow in my hammock for my neck also needed for “comfy” ground sleeping.
    • Note the lighter more popular sea to summit pillow has a fill valve in the middle which pokes me in the head in my hammock so I traded it for the insta-camp one.

Footwear

• Saucony Men’s Peregrine 7 Trail Running Shoe

Note: I tried Altras at the end of my AT hike in 2017 and while the wider toe box is glorious I find the Saucony’s to have much more grip.  I fell a lot on the AT so anything that helps prevent that is preferred. I also use superfeet insoles.  The stock insoles in most shoes get as thin as a piece of paper most of the time so these insoles are more durable but still need to be replaced when the shoes are replaced.

• Lock laces
  • piece of gear I’m experimenting with
• OR Sparkplug gaiters
• Injinji Toe Socks
  • blister free since 2017′(2200 miles)
• Seal skinz water proof socks(carry one pair on portions with high snow/water crossings)

Clothing

• Base layer: Long sleeve light colored Columbia fishing shirt
• Bottoms: Patagonia Baggies 7” liner removed
• Underwear: Exofficio Boxer Briefs
  • I tried the mesh ones and they ride up to uncomfortable levels for me so I use the normal length ones
• Hat: Trucker hat current favorite is from gossamer gear.
  • will be supplemented with OR Spring ring when bugs get to obnoxious levels.
• Buff: Part of official thru hiker uniform and so so many uses
• Wind Jacket/Pants: (Everywhere but Sierra Nevada and Washington)
• Montebell UL Wind parka and tacheon wind pants
  • I never had a wind jacket or pants on the AT but they are incredible. I find I can hike in them without sweating profusely like I did in rain gear. While only water resistant my shakedown hikes have proved the pants are water resistant enough to keep me from chaffing which is my number one concern in rain after hyperthermia.  The set up also traps heat well for the weight. Also, they are a lightweight option for keeping bugs at bay. I wish I would have had either of these pieces on the AT.
• Rain Jacket/Pants(Sierra Nevada and Washington)
  • Monte bell versatile Jacket
    • Note: I’ve tried the lighter OR jacket but I prefer a rain jacket with pit zips for ventilation.
• OR helium rain pants (will try to avoid using these and just use wind pants)
  • I despise hiking in pants of any shape but I despise hyperthermia and possible chaffing due to swampy south of the border regions more.
• Base layer(Sierra Nevada and Washington): Monte bell wool tops and bottoms.
• Gloves: Zpacks possum down with waterproof shell (Sierra Nevada and Washington)
• Insulating Layer: Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Parka
• Sunglasses: Native
• Umbrella: Montebell umbrella
• Hat: Mountain hardware fleece hat (Sierra and Washington)
• Sleeping socks: zpacks possum down (Sierra and Washington…maybe still on fence about brining)

Kitchen

• Fancee Feast Alcohol stove with dollar store cookie sheet wind screen and refletix coozie and sac
• smart water bottle for fuel
• medicine cup for measuring fuel
• Snowpeak titanium pot with lid small micro fiber rag for clean up
• titanium spoon
• 2 2L platty bag for water for camp and long water carrys
• Smart Water bottles for water storage purposes
• Zpacks large cuben fiber bag, 50′ cord and mini biner
• -For purposes of keeping large animals from searching for snacks under my hammock tarp.
• katydyn be free water filter

First Aid Kit and Miscellaneous

-Neosporin
-Wet-ones
-Hand Sani
-Lukeotape
-Fish Oil
-Sun screen/Bug Spray as needed
-Pain killer of choice( Could be alieve could be gas station whiskey…)
-pieces of CF tape for field repairs
-small swiss army knife
-anker power brick and phone charging cables
-Iphone 6s
-thru nite mini flash ligtht, clips on to my hat and takes one triple a battery.
-halfmile maps for each section
-GoPro and gorilla pod tripod(Note: I sent this home on the AT but I’m gonna make more of an effort to make videos this go around for myself to and others to see the hike)
-Bear canister BV500 (Kennedy Meadows until not needed)
-Ice axe and mini-spikes Petzel and Yaktrax(Kennedy Meadows until bouncing ahead to Washington)
-Bag for trowel and ziplock to pack ALL toilet paper out.(Its not hard or that gross, just do it, future trail users will thank you)

Now that thats out of the way I have to get back to mail drops…..

 

If you have any comments or questions as usual let me know below.  If you interested in my more of my prep feel free to follow me on the social media platforms linked to my trek profile.

Note:  Some of this gear was provided for me to review.  However I would never carry something I didn’t have full faith and confidence in with me on a PCT thru hike….obviously.