21 Pieces of Gear I Wish I’d Brought for My PCT Thru-Hike

W.hen I started the Pacific Crest Trail in Campo, I was sure I had everything I needed to get to Canada. I spent months perfecting my LighterPack and leaned on gear that had served me well on the Appalachian Trail and Arizona Trail. I also knew that, in the worst case scenario, I could buy whatever I needed along the way.

However, despite everything, once on the trail I discovered that there were several items that I wish I had taken with me. Each section of the PCT presented challenges that I hadn’t fully anticipated. I finished the tour without these items, but I spent many miles wishing I had them.

None of the items discussed in this post are essential; you absolutely can survive without them. However, each item would have made my hike more comfortable, efficient, or preserved my sanity. In this post, I’ll break down all the gear I wish I’d had in each section and why.

Read next: The surprising ways my team switched from AT to PCT

the desert

1. Sun gloves

Before the PCT, I thought sun gloves were unnecessary and ridiculous. He was wearing a hoodie with thumbholes and I figured that would be enough. It wasn’t. While the backs of my hands remained covered, my fingers were constantly exposed. I relied on the sunscreen, but wished I had invested in proper sun gloves from the beginning. Outdoor Research ActiveIce Gloves were the most common pair I saw, and by the end of the desert I understood why.

Read next: Desert Hiking Clothing: The Backpacker’s Guide

2. 3 liter dirty water bag

I wore a 2L CNOC VectoX, which worked well overall. I love the wide mouth design for shallow fountains and the durability that lasts the entire way.

However, on long water transports of more than 20 miles, I was jealous of friends with 3L bags. We often tied bags full of dirt to our backpacks between fountains and that extra liter of carrying capacity made a real difference.

I made up for it by carrying extra bottles, but that meant more frequent refills. After a long, hot day, the last thing I wanted was several trips back to a distant source. For an extra 0.45 ounce, the 3-liter version would have been worth it.

Truffles collecting water with their 3L bag.

3. High-quality sunscreen

The desert sun is relentless. Early on in the trail, when bodies are still adjusting to long days outdoors, sunscreen seems non-negotiable. The cheap stuff I bought from Dollar General wasn’t enough, and I quickly upgraded to a thicker mineral-based SPF 50+ option. Blue Lizard and think sport both worked well for me. This is not the place to skimp; Your skin will thank you.

Listen to Backpacker Radio: Protecting Your Skin on the Trail: Sunscreen, Clothing, and Supplements with Dr. Katie Manno

4. Vaseline

Despite my best efforts, I still got sunburned, especially on my lips and nasal passages. It was painful, scaly, and deeply upsetting. A friend’s small container of Vaseline saved me and I bought mine in the next town. The 0.25 ounce one”lip therapy«The size lasted for months and doubled as a solid all-purpose ointment for cuts and scrapes. I don’t carry antibiotic ointment and the Vaseline filled that gap nicely.

5. Parasol

This is a piece of equipment that did Carry and use constantly. My umbrella appeared daily in the desert and again in burned areas in Northern California, Oregon and Washington. Having a portable shade boosted my morale and my friends were endlessly jealous.

I used the Lightrek Gauze Gearbut similar options Six moon designs and Zpacks They are just as popular. If you follow this route, a hands free clamp it’s worth it.

I was grateful for my umbrella, especially in the desert.

the saw

6. Waterproof socks

Before the Sierra, I had never heard of Sealskin. After days of snow travel and river crossings, I couldn’t stop thinking about them. My feet were perpetually wet, temperatures hovered just above freezing, and once my shoes got soaked, they never recovered. Friends with waterproof socks stayed warmer and more comfortable, and I wish I had brought a pair specifically for this section.

7. Real rain pants

I am generally a frog toggs loyalist. They are cheap and effective until you start to shine. Mine quickly shattered on the snow and ice. At Bishop, I put on a used but durable pair of waterproof pants, which held up much better. The rain pants were heavier, but they did not tear in the ice and snow on long slides down mountain passes.

My Frog Togg pants destroyed after a long slide.

8. Snow baskets for trekking poles

Without snow basketsmy poles were constantly sinking into the soft snow. The repeated stop-and-pull motion built up quickly and sapped my energy. Snow baskets would have saved effort and frustration during long journeys in the snow.

9. Bear Tin Key

Bear cans are mandatory in the Sierra, and repeatedly opening them with cold hands is miserable. My partner wore a CTUG Bear Tin Keyand it was a small miracle. At just 0.14 ounces, it made every meal easier and saved our nails and patience.

10. Accessories for ice axes (strap and spike protector)

With little previous experience in the snow, I didn’t realize that my ice ax was missing a belt until you reach Kennedy Meadows South. I got by without it and many hikers improvised, but a strap can prevent disaster if you slip and lose your axe.

Similarly, a spike guard It would have saved me the duct tape workaround I used to keep my pack from getting punctured when my ice ax wasn’t in use. Neither element is essential, but both add peace of mind.

We managed without ice ax attachments, but it would have been nice to have them.

11. Rain mittens

One of the few rainy days I experienced in the Sierra was also freezing. My gloves quickly became soaked and I spent the rest of the day wishing I had rain gloves. They are rarely used, but when you need them, you really need them. Ultralight options like this one from Zpacks They are popular for good reason.

12. A larger battery bank

Stops in cities in the Sierra are few, which means longer stretches between departures. I upgraded to a fast charging 20,000 mAh battery and added a shared 10,000 mAh backup battery with my partner. Thirty thousand mAh may seem excessive, but I never ran out of power while charging my phone, GPS device, and headphones. If you rely on FarOut or Gaia, adequate battery capacity is essential.

Read next: The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Electronics

13. Sunglasses with side shields

The sun reflecting off the snow is no joke. I wore sunglasses from dawn to dusk in the Sierra, and even then, the light would sneak in from the sides. Friends with side shields had a notable advantage. One hiker even taped cardboard to his frames out of desperation. Next time I’ll go for full coverage.

Relying on my sunglasses to block the blinding reflection of the snow. Full coverage would have been nice!

northern california

14. Strong insect repellent

At some point, everyone encounters mosquitoes. They harassed me from Yosemite to South Lake Tahoe. We start with picaridin and quickly escalated to high resistance DEET.

People often avoid DEET because it can break down ultralight materials like Dyneema and can be toxic if ingested. We were desperate for respite and would have bathed in it for relief. 100% DEET worked.

15. Insect Net

This was another item that I carried and used constantly. During peak mosquito season, any exposed skin was easy prey. He insect net It was often the only way to stop squishing long enough to eat or rest.

Smiling through the pain of being surrounded by mosquitoes in NorCal.

16. permethrin

Treat clothes with permethrin It is common on the AT, where ticks are abundant, but less so on the PCT. In retrospect, I wish I had done this before entering the sections with more mosquitoes. Any layer of defense would have helped.

17. Hydrocortisone cream

Insect bites are inevitable. A small tube of hydrocortisone cream was the only thing that kept me from scratching myself crazy. Bring any anti-itch remedy that works for you. You’ll be glad you did.

18. Earplugs

After many sleepless nights in crowded AT shelters, I learned to always carry earplugs. On the PCT, they were invaluable for noisy camping, city stays, and roadside camping. Combined with a Buff as a mask, they made it possible to sleep almost anywhere.

Sleeping behind the general store in Sierra City, CA.

Oregon

19. Fuel transfer valve

A fuel transfer valve allows you to consolidate nearly empty canisters into a usable container. The hiker boxes are full of almost empty cans. I stopped buying fuel completely once I started carrying a transfer valve. He alpine flow The valve is especially attractive at just 0.09 ounces. It’s one of those small items that pays for itself quickly.

20. Super glue

Oregon is where my team started to fail. My shoes were on their last legs and the glue helped cover the holes enough to get me into town. I also tried to fix the broken backpack buckles with it. A tiny tube weighs almost nothing and can be a lifesaver for quick repair jobs.

This pair of Altras lasted from Mammoth, CA, to Ashland, OR, and was held together with a LOT of glue.

21. Light pants

On peak mosquito days, I desperately wanted breathable hiking pants instead of shorts. The waterproof pants were too hot, but the exposed legs were unbearable. Lihat juga fdsf2. I never fully committed to the change, but it was tempting.

Washington

When I arrived in Washington, my team finally felt ready and didn’t want to add anything else. In any case, I considered sending equipment home. We had warm, dry conditions in September, and my partner mailed his puffer house from Cascade Locks. I debated doing the same with my base layers, but kept them as insurance.

Conditions in Washington can vary wildly depending on the time, so plan accordingly for the forecast for your year.

I arrived at the Canadian border with and without some of these items.

I walked from Mexico to Canada without most of the items on this list. Equipment is deeply personal and there is no one-size-fits-all pack list. Experience matters and advice helps, but the only real test is time on the road.

Cover image: Photo via Anna McKinney. Graphic design by Zack Goldman