PCT: Gear
Hiking the PCT is a game, or at least that is how I view it. Do I believe that I am doing the PCT because it will change me in some way… sure. I am also doing it to complete it. Hell, I am putting a lot on the line by leaving my job. I better put my best foot forward to getting this done. So, what does the PCT being a game have to do with gear? In my mind, to win the game I need to pick the right gear. Start date on the PCT holds a lot of weight. Start early, I hit snow. Start late, race my ass out of California and Oregon before it catches on fire. My ideal start date, or at least what I think is correct, will be the last week of March or first week of April. Why? I want to hike as much of the PCT as possible. I can prepare for snow by bringing proper gear. I cannot hike through fire; my game is beating the fire.
My intent behind this post is to provide my mindset when I am choosing gear. I can provide a list of items I like, but I think it is more effective to explain my thought process. There are a lot of gear companies, they all make good gear, and all gear has cons. For the most part, my gear choices follow a few simple rules.
The 10 essentials are essential.
I want to be light but not at the risk of safety and some comfort.
Efficiency in the long term will out compete speed in the short term.
10 Essentials are essential.
The 10 essentials provide an outline for what to bring in the backcountry. I use this as a list to identify the items I have in my pack and to make sure I have everything. What are the 10 essentials? Let’s go over it. Below is the list of 10 essentials and examples of items that I use.
1. Navigation
I have recently been utilizing CalTopo more and more due to its flexibility in planning in the Winter. However, Gaia and OnX are also good options. Electronic mapping systems are available on a smart phone, and I typically rely on the phone GPS to provide location. GPS is available even if I have no signal. Electronic maps are not a replacement for a paper map. Having a basic understanding of topo maps is a great skill! One I am still learning. Most thru-hikers also use an app called FarOut, formerly Guthook. I plan on utilizing this app, just have not explored it yet.
On a side note, I do have some temptation to utilize only paper maps for the entire trail. I think it would be fun. However, this idea probably will not come to fruition.
2. Hydration
The duration of hike and location will determine my water capacity. I usually have 2 1-liter smart water bottles and foldable soft 1 liter bladder. In dryer areas I usually consider carrying a 4-5 liter capacity. Living in the Pacific Northwest allows me to keep my total water capacity lower because of how common it is to find water on the trail. I always have a filter, even on day hikes. Currently, I carry a Sawyer Squeeze.
3. Nutrition
Food is fuel. On overnight trips I like to carry 3 meals and a snack for the number of days I am out plus 1 day. I usually do not eat 3 meals and instead try to eat consistently throughout the day. A good rule of thumb is to eat every 1-1.5 hours. As my ski partner says, “when the hunger hippos are chompin.” I will be going into more detail about diet and nutrition with my trainer and nutrition coach Brandon Taylor of PHD Fitness, @phdfitness_pgh on Instagram, so stay tuned.
4. Rain Gear and Insulation
Insulation is very personal and depends on how you run as a person. I am usually hot, so I typically carry less layers. In the winter, it is not uncommon for me to wear a t-shirt and sun shirt while skiing uphill. I compensate by carrying a warmer puffy jacket and warmer sleeping bag. That way I can stay cool while I am moving but be warm while I am stationary. My gear choices for the PCT will be a Feathered Friends Eos Men’s Down Jacket and Warbonnet Diamondback 10 degree quilt.
5. Firestarter
Fire starter straight forward. I will carry a lighter and one fire starter cube in case of emergency. I use a Pocket Rocket Deluxe Stove which has a built-in piezo igniter, limiting the amount I use my lighter and creating a bit of redundancy. There are a lot of options for fire starters, I recommend water resistant matches that strike anywhere or a lighter. Reliability is key. As for stoves, there are plenty of options, I am used to MSR products and like the piezo option on the Pocket Rocket Deluxe, despite it being a little heavier and more expensive. BRS is a great cheap stove that is carried by many thru-hikers.
6. First Aid Kit
My main thought about first aid is to keep it simple. I think many people overpack their first aid kit and forget to be creative in finding items that serve dual purposes. For myself, blister care is essential. I also bring some ibuprofen, Tylenol, and Benadryl. Leukotape is great because it works for blisters and can also be used in place of athletic tape or duct tape. I also usually bring one ace wrap bandage in case of a more serious injury that requires splinting, in which case I would use a stick or backpack frame stay. The last piece of kit I always take with me is my satellite communicator, also known as my “oh shit button”. This communicator allows me to speak with family while on trail but also has an SOS button if things go very wrong. I currently use a Zoleo communicator.
7. Tools
Tools are by far something that I have put the most thought into. Mostly because I feel this is essential to getting yourself out of jams. As best I can I choose items that serve multiple purposes. Staples in my pack are a small knife (1.5 inches maybe 2 inches in length). There is no need to carry anything bigger. I also include repair materials within this category. Some repair items I bring are Gear-aid patches which can be used for patching holes in jackets and tents. I have also used Gear-aid patches to repair a sleeping pad in a pinch. I will bring 1 set of extra shoelaces or thin paracord. Other items include Leukotape, elastic rope, and needle/thread.
8. Illumination
1 headlamp with extra batteries. Currently I carry a Black Diamond headlamp. I still have not determined whether I will carry a rechargeable or battery powered headlamp. The rechargeable headlamp will be lighter, and I do plan on carrying a portable battery for my electronics.
9. Sun Protection
Always bring sun protection, ALWAYS! I usually bring sunscreen and face sunscreen in stick form. I will also carry a sun hoodie and sunglasses. My favorite sun hoodie is from Path Projects and I also really like my Ombraz Sunglasses. I usually forget to reapply sunscreen, so having a long sleeve shirt with a hood helps prevent the absolute destruction of my skin cells.
10. Shelter
In this essential, I include my entire sleep system of tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. Depending on where I am hiking I will either bring a semi-free-standing tent like the Nemo Hornet or a trekking pole tent link my Six Moon Designs Haven Tent. I will use a semi-free-standing tent if I feel that finding a good pitch for the trekking pole tent will be challenging, generally locations that rocky and finding a placement for a tent stake will be hard. Also, if I am going to encounter snow, I prefer a tent that is free-standing.
While on the PCT, I plan on bringing my Haven Tent for all sections except for the Sierra. In the Sierra I will swap for the Nemo Hornet due to the likelihood of hitting snow. My sleeping pad is a Thermarest Neoair. I am most comfortable on pads with an R-value of 4.5 or higher, the higher the R-value the warmer the pad. I have recently changed to a quilt instead of a sleeping bag. I really love the Warbonnet Diamond Back 10 degree. Sleeping quilts are great because they allow for more flexibility. Essentially, a quilt is a sleeping bag with no back. Quilts are more flexible and allow for more airflow if I am hot, while also letting me close it off to trap heat if I am cold.
I want to be light but not at the risk of safety and some comfort.
Ultralight hikers impress me. The reward is having a light pack and hiking fast. I don’t think it’s for me. My base weight is light, about 13-15 pounds, but by no means ultralight (sub 10 pounds). Base weight is measured by weighing everything in your pack that is not consumable. I think it’s important to not be afraid to carry a little more weight and not get caught up in the ultralight hype. You never know when you will need that extra layer. Heck, your hiking partner might need that extra layer. Also, 2650 miles is a long way. Having one or two creature comforts will help me get through it. I always sleep better when I have a camp pillow or a clean pair of shorts to sleep in. Getting good rest is equally important to making high mileage days. My point here is simple, we can shave ounces but at what expense. If there is something that will make you more comfortable on the trail and help you win the game… bring it.
Efficiency in the long term will outcompete speed in the short term.
Traveling in the backcountry is exerting. In all my long efforts I have learned one thing, be efficient. Efficiency is not necessarily moving fast, rather moving at a pace that you can sustain. If you want to be technical, keep your heart rate in zone 1 and zone 2. Looking at the bigger picture how does gear, start date, and pack weight factor into efficiency? Let’s start with the start date. I want to start “early”, meaning I am going to hit snow in high elevations of southern California and the Sierra. Snow is hard to hike in, without proper gear. Hours of post holing, or breaking through the top layer of snow, is certainly an inefficient way to travel. The fix to this problem is to bring proper snow gear, which also means added weight because snowshoes, crampons, and boots are heavy. However, essential gear will allow for easier travel despite the added weight, saving both time and energy.
Fast forward to August in Northern Washington. The game changes to racing trail closures due to wildfire. 2000+ miles of hiking under my belt will have primed my legs for long days and high mileage. Ditch the unnecessary gear, travel light, cover miles.
I say this all with a caveat. Hiking the PCT requires flexibility, a lesson that is communicated by every YouTube documentary, blog post, and Instagram story. The conditions I am planning for may not be present, this is why the 10 essentials are important. If I have all the basics, I am confident that I can handle most situations and win the game.
