AT gear vs PCT gear

imported
#1

Is there a whole lot of difference between the gear I used on my 620 mile AT hike and what i would need on the PCT?

hillbilly

#2

Probably. But we’d have to know what you used on the AT.

yogi

#3

It seems like its more neccessary to have lightweight gear for the PCT compared to the AT I guess because of the shorter window for hiking due to weather conditions. Yogi and other PCT hikers-have you seen a good number of heavy geared PCT thru-hikers? How NECESSARY is it to hike with light gear or is it more of a suggestion/popular trend almost? I see a PCT 04 journalist who is not going with the traditional PCT light weight approach so this is why I ask

A-Train

#4

If someone really likes torturing themselves, then it might be necessary for them to haul a heavy pack wherever they go. If you are into taking only what’s necessary, then your pack won’t weigh more than 15 lbs baseweight. It would probably weigh half that actually (for normal season). PCTers are generally far more streamlined with their gear. That usually equates to lower weight.

I would venture to say, although I might get hammered for this, that hiking the PCT is harder for those with heavy loads than if they were on the AT. The heat and elevation alone makes me say that. Plus, the PCT has some MONSTOROUS downs, like from San Jacinto into San Gorgonio Pass. It’s like 9,000 ft over 16 miles. That’s lots of kneebanging with a heavy load. Didn’t see many heavy packs north of the Sierras. In all, I’d take a shot in the dark and say 90% of PCTers had baseweights less than 30lbs. Maybe 60% are under 20lbs. -don’t quote me on these figures, please.

Tha Wookie

#5

A couple of thoughts - the PCT is primarily a desert trail. So you usually don’t need ‘good’ raingear until you reach Washington. You do need something - we had rain on our second day and snow in the Sierras, but it wasn’t like the rain suit I wore the first couple months on the AT. Water filter - we rarely filtered water north of Kennedy Meadows. Some of the lakes in Washington and Oregon, maybe, but most people don’t carry a filter once they’re out of southern CA, if they used one then. You need a much larger water carrying capacity. We used Platypus type bags and carried at least a gallon of water all day through much of the first 700 miles and several times after that. The Sierras aren’t as cold as you would expect for all the snow. We had winter gear, which we shipped home out of Lone Pine and were glad we did. This despite the blizzard that holed us up one day. You will need an ice axe and need to know how to use it. How long you need to carry it depends on the snow this year. I know people who carried one the entire trail; we only carried one from Kennedy Meadows to Sierra City. Shoes - lots of people use running type shoes. We switched to boots for the Sierras as it is hard to kick steps with running shoes, but many don’t. It is a risk. If you are wearing running shoes you don’t need camp shoes. And Tha Wookie is right - light packs are the norm. Carry the lightest tent/tarp you are comfortable with. A lot of people just sleep out most of the time, but you can get weather in the beginning and again in Washington that will require a real shelter.
Of course, your year may be different - we had a friend who hike in a bad snow year - he had snow on the ground almost the entire trail, and frequent precipitation and ended up turning back 60 miles from the border.

Spirit Walker

#6

I am carrying a mt hardware 0 degree bag,sweetwater filter,whisperlight stove,platypus water bags,aurora headlamp, and various other ness., the pack i know i would have to switch to ultralite and would add an ultralite tarp. should i go with alcohol stove? I was thinking if i could get my wt. down to 30lbs with food and minus water i would be ok. any suggestions?

hillbilly

#7

I’ve done the AT and my recommendations for PCT gear is based only on PLANNING, not experience.

The 0 degree bag seems like overkill. Also probably heavy. I’m taking a 15 degree bag with me and thats only because it weighs in at 2lbs.

What size pack are you carrying? Weight and Cubic Inches?

I ditched my MSR Dragonfly over 2000 miles ago. For me it was too heavy and I switched to Esbit. Love Esbit, only drawback is availability and gummy residue it leaves on pots. I was concerned about the ESBITS performance at altitude so I am switching to Alcohol instead. If you are interested I have a couple of links for making alcohol stoves.

Ganj

#8

hello,
I live in europe and i plan to hike the california part of the PCT nex summer.
The only window i have is 3 months, starting in july from campo, to walk the entire California trail .
How hot is the desert in July?
Do I need gear for rain and snow (in the northern part)?
Is it silly to walk the desert in that season?
Is there still water sources?
I already experienced the heat of CanyonLands, Grand Canyon, joshua Tree and deat valley in summertime, but on short periods only.

advices are welcome
Thanks for your help

cyrille

cyrille

#9

cyrille, first you should start a new message thread for your question. you’ll get more answers that way.

second, you should really really not hike the Southern California sections in July. i live in S. California and unless you really like 100+ degrees with minimal shade, it’s a bad idea. plus all the creeks in the southernmost sections will be dry, and the water caches will not be regularly stocked (plus you should NEVER count on the caches). most of the natives here go up high when the heat of summer is on. i’d really suggest starting at Kennedy Meadows, or maybe Warner Pass (i’ve never been through Warner so i don’t know how hot that section is by July). i strongly advise you to not walk sections A, B & E in July.

i’m sure that people have done it and lived to tell the tale. but heatstroke & dehydration are quite real (trust me, i’ve suffered from both of them) and are not to be taken lightly.

tarbubble

#10

Thanks for your advice, tarbubble

I was thinking to hike in the north to south direction, starting from the Oregon frontier.
Then, I would be in the desert in september.
Is it a better idea regarding the water sources and heat?

Thanks a lot

cyrille

#11

i hate to tell you this, but September will be just as bad. we occasionally get June storms but from July to December there will be practically no rain - just occasional ocean storms that blow in. and September is quite possibly the worst month of all - i just consulted with my sister and she voted for August, but that’s just because it’s still 80 degrees at 3 am (down in the valleys). if water sources are dry in July, they will be bone dry in September. and it will still be very hot. desert season doesn’t really start until late November, but the rains don’t even necessarily start by then. we are in a long-term drought out here.

you might want to subscribe to the PCT-L and ask about when water caches are stocked. i assume that in the off-season they are not maintained regularly.

tarbubble

#12

Thanks for your advices, it really helps.
I guess i have to change my plan, i really like walk the deserts but 100° is definitely too much on 700 miles!

Thanks

Cyrille:)

cyrille