{"id":21102,"date":"2017-03-12T13:06:52","date_gmt":"2017-03-12T20:06:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=21102"},"modified":"2022-08-03T10:49:31","modified_gmt":"2022-08-03T17:49:31","slug":"pacific-crest-trail-backpacking-gear-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/pacific-crest-trail-backpacking-gear-list","title":{"rendered":"Pacific Crest Trail Backpacking Packing List"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Stretching for 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, this legendary trail has become the crown jewel for aspiring long-distance hikers. It travels through three states, six national parks and 48 federal wilderness areas along the way.<\/p>\n

Despite the trail\u2019s exploding popularity, fueled in part by the book and movie\u00a0Wild<\/i>, this epic quest has only been successfully completed by a few thousand intrepid hikers. Fewer than one in five who attempt the feat complete the entire trail.<\/p>\n

If that sounds like a challenge tailor-made for you, Tessa Bondi, a seasoned long-distance hiker and an REI Outdoor Programs and Outreach Market Coordinator, has some insider tips for you about how to prepare and pack to tackle the full trip. (Bondi, whose trail name was \u201cOverkill,\u201d also helped develop PCT preparation classes<\/a> available at some REI stores.)<\/p>\n

The full trail takes 4 to 6 months to complete and many people find that the trip takes 8 to 12 months of planning and preparation. We hope this guide will simplify the planning and set you up for success on your journey.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Pacific Crest Trail Permits<\/h2>\n

Full trail permits:<\/b>\u00a0For any PCT hike that\u2019s 500 miles or longer, you can apply directly to the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) for your\u00a0long-distance permit<\/a>. You\u2019ll need to complete a detailed trip plan before applying because the permit asks for specifics. A new limit introduced in 2015 is that only 50 hikers per day are allowed to begin at the Mexican border, so be flexible on your exact start day. Permit processing begins in February each year.<\/p>\n

Side-trip permits:<\/b>\u00a0The long-distance permit doesn\u2019t cover trails and camps off the PCT. You must apply to the agencies that administer the trails and camps you will be using. If your side trip to resupply takes less than a day, or if you sleep in a hotel, you won\u2019t need an added permit.<\/p>\n

California campfire permits:<\/b>\u00a0In order to combat wildfires, the State of California now requires a\u00a0campfire permit<\/a>, even to use a stove in the backcountry. Unless you opt for stoveless meals on your trip, you\u2019ll need this permit. Pay close attention to conditions in each region. If you use an alcohol- or wood-burning stove, be prepared to switch to cold meals during extreme fire danger, when land managers might choose to ban those types of stoves.<\/p>\n

The Canadian Complication:<\/b>\u00a0You can stop (or start) at the U.S.\/Canada border without the need for more paperwork. Crossing the border is tricky, though, because U.S. Border Patrol forbids entry into the U.S. on the trail. Canada allows you to hike across the border, but requires an\u00a0Application for Entry into Canada<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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PCT Route Planning and Timing
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When considering the gear you’ll need to bring along, you’ll need to factor in the likelihood of snow or whether you’ll be hiking in desert extremes based on your itinerary.<\/p>\n

South to North:\u00a0<\/b>Nearly 90% of all hikers start at the Mexican border. A big advantage to this approach is that long stretches of desert and lowland hiking can be done in early spring, when snow covers the Sierra.<\/p>\n

North to South:<\/b>\u00a0To reach the Canadian\/U.S. border requires a 34-mile hike north from Harts Pass, which is often snowbound into June. Then the same stretch of trail southbound becomes the first leg of your PCT journey. If you\u2019re set on hiking this direction, you\u2019ll need to prepare for snow in the Cascades at the start and fewer water sources in the Southern California desert at the end.<\/p>\n

When to start:<\/b>\u00a0South to North hikers begin by early May. Earlier starts spare you blistering heat in the desert, but you can encounter snow in the Sierra. Start late, though, and fall snowstorms in the North Cascades are a concern.<\/p>\n

How long it takes:<\/b>\u00a0Elite athletes have done the trail in as little as 2 months, but the average is about 5 months. Differences in daily mileage and number of layover days add up, ultimately determining if you finish in 4.5 or 5.5 months. Factors like storms and lingering snow can also impact how long you take.<\/p>\n

Your plan is an initial projection:<\/b>\u00a0Hiking thousands of miles through wilderness over many months is an unpredictable endeavor. Check the PCTA\u00a0trail conditions and closures page<\/a>\u00a0before you go and when you have online access. Talk to hikers along the way. Have contingency plans and assess conditions throughout the trip.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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PCT Supply Planning and Budgeting<\/h2>\n

Food and resupply planning:<\/b>\u00a0These are the nuts and bolts of your trip plan, and the details will take substantial research. You can find a wealth of information in guidebooks and online, including PCTA pages that discuss\u00a0food<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0resupply<\/a>\u00a0strategies. Some websites include interactive trip planners with the most common resupply points.<\/p>\n

Trip Budget:<\/b>\u00a0The PCTA estimates costs of the trip from $4,000 to $8,000 or more. How much you splurge on layover days affects this total, as do your food and gear choices.<\/p>\n

PCT Maps and Guidebooks<\/h2>\n

The PCTA\u00a0maps and guidebooks page<\/a>\u00a0is an excellent resource. Halfmile\u2019s topo maps and phone apps, offered there free of charge, are thorough, detailed and constantly updated. You can also find\u00a0PCT books and maps<\/a>\u00a0at many REI stores around the country.<\/p>\n

PCT Gear Considerations<\/h2>\n

Gear weight:<\/b>\u00a0Some say that the PCT inspired the ultralight gear revolution. If you carry excess pounds over thousands of miles, your body will indeed pay a price. See our article about\u00a0Ultralight Backpacking Basics<\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n

Gear philosophy:<\/b>\u00a0Your views on comfort, risk and the reality that gear wears out also weigh into your approach. Some hikers opt for new clothing along the way, for example. And most hikers go through two pairs of footwear. Minimalist hikers will always argue that you can go lighter, but you\u2019ll need to decide for yourself where you are on the ultralight to ultra-prepared spectrum. Then select gear through that lens.<\/p>\n

Gear advice:<\/b>\u00a0In addition to outdoor clubs and stores like REI, PCT classes are great places to ask about gear you\u2019re considering. PCT hikers are avid gear reviewers, too, so you can find plenty of online opinions about gear and clothing.<\/p>\n

Gear know-how:<\/b>\u00a0The PCT is not the place to learn how to use critical items like an ice axe, nor for a maiden equipment voyage. Take trips to familiarize yourself with your gear and take classes to ensure your backcountry skills are honed for the challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Pacific Crest Trail Backpacking Gear List<\/h2>\n

Because the PCT has long, dry stretches and snowy mountain sections, many hikers select key resupply points to swap out gear. Ultralight gear makes sense in the California desert, while extra weather protection is needed in the Sierra and Cascades. Kennedy Meadows South is a classic desert\/mountain resupply spot. Your trip plan’s timing and direction will impact how robust your mountain gear needs to be and how much lighter you want to go in the desert.<\/p>\n

\u201cSwapable\u201d gear:<\/b>\u00a0Choosing to swap gear out at certain places is optional. Here we focus on the biggest, most commonly considered gear, but some items can be swapped when moving from desert to mountain, or vice versa. Essential items in this list must be carried in the terrains where they are listed.<\/p>\n

Water reservoirs:<\/b>\u00a0The Southern California desert is the most infamous area where water reliability is a concern, but it\u2019s not the only region with long waterless legs. See the PCTA\u00a0water page<\/a>\u00a0for details about where extra reservoirs are essential.<\/p>\n

Note: Included in this checklist are the Ten Essential Systems you should have on every backcountry trip: navigation; sun protection; insulation; illumination; first-aid supplies; fire starter; repair kit and tools; nutrition; hydration; emergency shelter. To learn more, see our\u00a0Ten Essentials article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The PCT Master Checklist<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Equipment<\/h3>\n