PCT clothes - Pacific Crest Trail

imported
#1

Headed out for my PCT thruhike sometime around 4/26 and have a question concerning my choice in attire. Too much? Too little? Any suggestions? Heres the list:
Worn-
Terramar silk long sleeve shirt (white) 3.5oz
Coolmax spandex shorts 4.2oz
Nylon shorts (mess cut out) 4.2oz
sil nylon hat w/bandana for neck protection
sunglasses

Packed-
Mountain Hardwear fthrwght transition tights 7oz
Mountain Hardwear fthrwght transition windshirt 7.7oz
Western Mountaineering Flight jacket 11.8oz
Rainwear 3M raincoat 5oz
windpro hat 1.6oz
windpro gloves 2.3oz
Acorn fleece socks (cut down to ankle high) 1.9oz

Does anything seem like too much for SOCAL? Too little for the High Sierras? My sleep system is Black Diamond Betalite, WM Ultralight 20, silk liner.

Pepper PA

#2

Hey Pepper-

I was eyeing your post waiting for someone to respond because I do have the same question as you. However, I can show you what I have and maybe help you decide.

Columbia Acadia II Water Trunks
Royal Robbins Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt
Chaco Z1 Terrenos
Boots or NB for High Sierras
Solar Stop Ball Cap

Patogonia Midweight Zipper T
Patagonia Midweight Bottoms
Smartwool Pocket Gloves
DuoFold sportfleece (Long Sleeve)
Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket
OR windstopper cap

Thats all I can think of at this point. Will buy some socks later. Keep cold weather stuff for So. Cal since there should be snow a few times before KM.

Ganj

#3

Pepper PA - I’m not sure if you’ve hiked the AT before, but one thing to keep in mind is that the AT and PCT are two entirely different trails. On the AT, we have “warm weather gear” and “cold weather gear”. On the PCT, we carry the same gear and sleeping bag for the whole trail. The only difference is that you’ll probably want an extra warm shirt/jacket for the Sierra (mile 697 to 1089) and Oregon-Washington (mile 1721 - 2658). Plus, if you didn’t carry rain pants yet, you’ll want them for Washington (mile 2150 - 2658).

Make sure you have more than one pair of hiking socks. The fine, fine sand on the PCT creates hard dirt balls on the bottoms of your feet and socks. You’ll want to rinse your socks out at every opportunity.

You need a sun hat. Be sure to have sunscreen for both SoCal and the Sierra. Especially the Sierra.

SoCal is blistering hot during the day and freezing cold at night.

I’m not sure on this, but that Betalite doesn’t have bug protection, right? If this is true, you’ve GOT to have some bug protection for Kennedy Meadows to at least the OR-WA border. The bugs will make you insane.

good luck! I envy all you 2004 PCT hikers!

yogi

yogi

#4

i have no experience with a silnylon hat, but my experience overall with silnylon tells me that it will transmit too much light and will trap heat on top of your head. try looking for a hat made with a breathable, thicker weave of nylon. you really want to be shielded from the sun and you really don’t want to overheat.

tarbubble

#5

I wouldn’t do it without and umbrella and hat. With my umbrella, I usually kept the hat off and my shirt and hiked in the shade unless too windy (which was rare)

Tha Wookie