Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike - What's in my pack.

[@erishops]

Thank you... Very helpful video. I like how you're conscious of pack weight but not obsessed about it. Some people seem to be more into pack weight than the adventure!

[@poomped53]

Wanted to hike the PCT in 2015. Didn't happen. Then 2019. Didn't happen. So I just come back and watch this video every several months because I love it so much.

[@jandbpct]

Ha Ha! Maybe 2021? Some guy named Al completed a thru hike at the age of 81 a few years ago. Make it happen! 724network.com/pct/oldest-PCT-hiker.htm Thanks for the kind words Patrick. TJ

[@Henning_Rech]

@@jandbpct I found this video today, 10 years later. Interesting to see all this electronic stuff you carried, which today would just be a smartphone & power supply. Not so much change in the pack, shelter, and sleep system. - Maybe I'll give it a try after retirement, got a first feel on a JMT thru-hike in 2019.

[@smino7264]

Best packing video I've seen yet. Thanks for sharing!

[@puretestosterone9614]

I could listen to you talk all day, great video.

[@daftpunkjames]

Thanks for taking the time to share. I am about to embarq on this journey soon!

[@mikebelt4789]

Great tips from an experienced, tried and true backpacker. I was looking for something like this to go off of - thank you for sharing!

[@BENCMEN]

I like his proudness smile when he brings up the bags!

[@danielmurphy6480]

Thank you for sharing! My 10 year old wants to go ASAP. We are going to have to wait a few years but I’m learning all I can now

[@plutoplatters]

the little "bags" are an incredible thing... each one with specific items in it... really eliminates the "searching factor"

[@jandbpct]

Rich - All of our food was cold except dinner, mostly Mountain House dehyd. dinners. Breakfast was granola with powdered milk (Nido) or breakfast bars, Lunch, PB&J or salami and cheese, and lots (5) of snacks throughout the day. Candy bars, Lara bars, homemade maltodextrine sport drink, Gorp and Fritos were common. There is a link to our journal, under the movie, at the top. See Oct 31 entry for more info. One needs 4,000 calories per day (and you will still be hungry!)

[@CaptainDansWanderings]

Great video. Informative and straight-forward. Thanks for sharing. I'll be 58 when I hit the trail head. Good to see someone from my generation hiked and enjoyed the PCT.

[@jandbpct]

We used the Sansa Clip mp3 player. It is very lightweight and has a play time of about 15 hours per charge. We have no experience with solar panels but I believe they must be in the sun to provide charge and you should consider their weight.

[@svansylt3946]

Hoping to do some longer hiking trips once I get out of school. Great video and thanks for information!

[@randyreboberton6263]

5:09 PM PST Pasadena, CA Thursday Dec 29th 2022 Tequila Jack it has been years 🥊 you were one of the first videos that I watched that helped me determine how to through hike ultra light ❤️ I stopped by to check in on you and say hello 🙂 Thank you for being a big part of thousands of hikers this video has 137,000 views 😳 - rebo

[@son503971sn]

Thank you for all the great info! I plan on doing a section hike of the PCT in Oregon this summer and a thru-hike in the future.

[@gregs3173]

Great video. I'm hitting a short section of the PCT tomorrow. I've been trying to eliminate some weight from my pack and I got some good ideas from you. I'm always surprised that no one ever carries a decent knife.

[@jandbpct]

We already owned bear canisters and have the Bear Vault BV500. We each had one in the Sierras but there was so much snow in June, all the bears were still sleeping. We sent them home just North of Yosemite, at Sonora Pass. You can rent them however for about $30 / week.

[@gjensen500]

Thanks Jack! You got me excited to go. And with great tips to make it more enjoyable!

[@rainbowhiker]

I enjoyed your presentation. The system certainly worked well as you completed the trail. I'm not reading comments but I'm sure others mentioned how you could have lost weight in your pack, but I won't, other than to say, running a tally, I figured you could have gone 13-16 lbs lighter, but hey, you did it and it worked. Great kit for your needs. I like the Circuit that it worked for you, too. They're made about twenty miles from where I live but I now use the JanSport Katahdin 50L, new. Thanks.

[@jandbpct]

We each had a Platy 3.0 liter bladder internal to our packs. We mostly loaded them with one to two liters of water, almost never filled them to 3 L. The outside gatoraid bottle (1 liter) was used for our sport drink (special maltodextrine mix). So we had about 1-2 liters of water with us most of the time.

[@timdouglass6491]

Excellent video. First time hiker here, thanks for the information. I usually don't watch 20 minute videos but your style was concise and straight forward. Thumps up

[@jandbpct]

My 1 liter GA bottle (or cap) never broke. I switched it out about every two weeks as it got grungy. Unlike the water bottles, I like the wider mouth on the GA for dumping in our malto powder plus the steri-pen fits in the opening.

[@stevealberts6618]

Great video. Thanks for doing this...it's really helpful as a starting point for my and my wife's thru-hike planning.

[@lvmesina]

"First off.. Tequila". lol ^_^

[@jandbpct]

Yes we used it and were able to load up 3 liters but that was rare. Usually we carried 2 or less. You also have the side water bottle pockets, which we used too.

[@jandbpct]

We pre-packed 33 resupply boxes and had a friend ship them out regularly so they would be at a pick up point when we arrived - All of them arrived on time! Search for "Craig's PCT Planner", register (free) and play around with it - he lists all the pick up points - Also get "Yogi's" PCT books and we found her small laminated resupply lists to be invaluable (we carried them with us). Another option is to resupply on the fly at each town you visit. Cell coverage relatively good in CA, and OR.

[@jandbpct]

Ha Ha - we never carried both tents at one time! The two person tent was used by Barb and I but she injured out at mile 902 and had to leave the trail (but she returned in Oregon and logged another 164 miles!). When I was travelling solo, I reduced my tent weight by switching to the Fly Creek UL-1. But, in Washington, I moved back to the 2P tent for room and comfort. Cost me an extra pound.

[@rodjava]

Congrats and welcome back! Can't wait to see your videos at the 2012 Kick Off. Thanks also for the StickPic plug! Hike safe, Rod, aka SierraShade, The StickPic inventor

[@Theadventurehiker]

Great gear video! Made me go through my stuff again.....seems like i lightin up my pack and then things seem to build up again. Thanks!

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello Jack, I just viewed another fine video. You offered some great pointers regarding what equipment you took. Be safe out there.

[@maximusmeridius1272]

JACK THAT WAS AMAZING! THANK YOU! I am preparing for 2017 and I feel like I am trying to take a drink from a fire hose. There is lots of good information out there and your videos have been so helpful in my preparation -I can't thank you enough. Seeing what you brought provides future first-time hikers with a baseline of what works and what doesn't work. I wish I could get a complete list of all you brought, but I guess I will have to go over this video painstakingly with a pen and paper in hand to record everything. I am not trying to emulate exactly what you have but rather, whatever you brought on your trip I want to make sure I have my own answer to the same issue. Anyway, I sure appreciate the video Jack, I hope you'll consider more videos as any information is helpful (maybe footwear?), but informative and educational videos such as yours are a true gem.

[@jandbpct]

Sorry for the late reply. See our gear list here www.postholer.com/journal/Pacific-Crest-Trail/2011/JackandBarb/2011-10-15/GEAR-LIST---Clothes-and-gear-we-took/27412 Things have changed in the last five years! Also, see this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqTMhqGfgcyJjc0 Have a great hike!

[@mchunley]

Second what Daniel Connell said. I was thinking the same thing. Love your style. I could imagine some good whiskey and the like around a good fire.

[@sarbalthazar1527]

The glucose - water drink on the go is a good idea, I hadn't had heard of it. Thanks.

[@jandbpct]

David - We used the Bear Vault BV500. We were able to carry about six-eight days of food in one (but remember, we were devouring calories at 4,000 per day) - This is for one person. Barb also had a BV500. Click on the link under the movie for a complete list of equipment / clothing. Sent the cans home at Sonora Pass with help from a friend. They weigh about 2 1/2 Lbs each!

[@Crystal9CA]

Great vid...i need to get fitted for the perfect bag before we hike again

[@ReclusiveMountainMan]

Subscribed. I've done some stretches of the PCT in Northern California. Playing with the idea of trying a through hike. Great vid.

[@jandbpct]

Karina - Almost all hikers use trail runners rather than hiking boots. I wore The Montrail AT-Plus (weight 30 oz / pair) - but they are no longer available. Barb, my wife (who hiked over 1,000 miles on the trail) wore La Sportiva Wildcats (she chose a mens shoe as they fit better). The important thing is to get a shoe that is comfortable and relative lightweight. You will go through about 5 pair on a PCT thru-hike. See link at very top for our complete gear lists.

[@madrejonimiller1658]

Wow, watching this in almost 2019, times sure have changed in regard to equipment. Thank you for your video.

[@Anthonysaudiojournal]

Well done video explaining all your gear for us all to see. Just discovered your othermvideos as

[@stevemazz3121]

Jack and Barb, Jack... excellent video. Thank you for sharing without the hee haw or trying to explain or justify why you picked the things you did.... as you said, these things worked for you and this is what you decided to use... EXCELLENT JOB... (so many fall into the nutnfancy thousand words speech to say... I like this...)

[@jandbpct]

Good question! I am a bit over 5'10" and found that the next size down would have worked fine for me. It would be lighter to carry and easier to roll up, since I mostly rolled in up inside the tent (unless I was cowboy camping). They have floor models of these pads at REI etc. Try them out! It may even be ok if your feet or legs are not supported by the pad. I also noted a lot of thru-hikers using the acordian type foam pads - less expensive, but less comfortable, Personal preference.

[@lexflix]

Nice load out and overview of your pack.

[@mtadams2009]

Thanks for the video, I like to see what others are packing, and what kind of gear they are using, wish I would have heard of ULA before I purchased my new pack, would have saved a 1 lb.. oh well next time, again thanks

[@RedAkumaSan]

Excellent informative & educational video for PCT thru-hikers ... any chance you could also list the type/weight of your recommended boots, socks, ice axe, microspikes, bear canister & water bladder you took along? Thanx.

[@Obe-obie]

great video! very helpful for my PCT NOBO hike!

[@pizzascott1]

Nicely done, Jack! You seem to be good at this... perhaps you should think about producing educational videos. ;-) And the billowing fog and chirping birds added to the Encinitas ambiance. Seriously, even after following your blog the last 5 months, I still picked up a few nice tips. Plus I finally understand the quartie. And for you other readers, the StickPic rocks!

[@jandbpct]

@traleskum Hey - Small world! I remember you guys - what, three of you all camped right on the trail -HA- If your tent had double doors, I woulda gone in one and out the other - that was a good laugh that morning. Glad to meet you! Hike On! TJ

[@brucehodson2763]

See, you and I differ in our pack orgaization. One compactor bag as liner; stuff the rest in with one stuff sackfilled with any extra clothes/socks as pillow.

[@jandbpct]

RSF - Steripen is rated at 50 liters per battery set. It would have been wonderful if the batteries were easy to find, but they are NOT! (CR123). The trade off is that with the steripen, you can drink right away, no waiting but a friend (Malto) simply brought a small bottle of bleach and added a few drops (3 drops per liter) and then waited 30 minutes - seems like the best idea to me. On shoes, see the link under the video above - I settled on the Montrail AT Plus - now discontinued I think

[@jandbpct]

Thin liners were Wick Dry CoolMax. Over these I wore Smartwool Trekking Heavy Crew socks, (carried 3 pair of each). Note: These socks lasted for about 1,700 miles. This sock combo worked well. Liner socks reduced blistering. You will wear out your socks. Have some spares standing by at home for quick shipment as they may be hard to find at the trail towns. Also, I slept in liners to keep s-bag clean. See link above for entire gear list.

[@TheTSFChannel]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time.

[@powercrazy11]

Fantastic guide. Thanks for sharing.

[@scottsagerdahl8637]

New trail name..."Bag Man" Actually you are very well organized.

[@jandbpct]

HA - HA! And, being one of the older people on the trail, maybe "Old Bag man"! I never calculated the weight of the sacks but, yeah, I could give up the ability to quickly find stuff and save a few ounces. Really my two most valuable bags were my two food sacks. One had breakfast and dinner and could be stored deep and the other, snacks and lunch stuff which was stored always near the top. I never had to tear my pack apart at lunch time.

[@owekddidid5260]

Scott Sagerdahl ئر ئ ب بي

[@jandbpct]

Well, there are backpacks with wheels - the Osprey Meridian and Eagle Creek Flip Switch but I would not recommend trail hiking with one of these. One, they are very heavy for the 60 liters or so that they carry. Two, for most of the trail, it would be difficult pulling over rough terrain, and the pack and wheels would self destruct quickly plus, pulling on one side (without hiking poles) would set up a serious unbalance on your body. I think these packs are best left to "asphalt travelers".

[@jandbpct]

Anthony For hiking the PCT, find Halfmile's PCT tracks and waypoints (google it). It will superimpose the actual track and a waypoint every halfmile over your gps maps and let you know if you wander off trail. Or, if using a smartphone be sure to get his App ("Halfmile's PCT"). Both are awesome add-ons for your GPS or phone! App available for free at Android or iphone stores.

[@mrsdjsdj]

Great video. When I am hiking i have a lighter, small firesteel (attached lanyard on my pocket knife) and a bandana in my pockets. Of course a firesteel is only helpful, if you have a good amount of practice using it in different types of scenarios. Not trying to give you advice, obviously you know what you are doing. Just giving my experience, possibly for the benefit of others.

[@jandbpct]

papakilla1 We used Garmin MapSource TOPO! US 24k West Topographic Coverage for Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada. Loaded only the pertinent sections that covered the PCT. There is now an app for phones made by halfmile that is very good. Search Google Play or apple store for "halfmile's PCT". It doesn't have maps but tells you if you are on or off the trail (using your phones GPS). With that and paper maps, you would do well. Paper Maps - Search Google for "halfmile's pct maps".

[@taysk8tay]

you are awesome! such helpful info

[@DkRavencraft]

thanks, great to see some options

[@FreedomNinja]

Thank you! I plan to do this April 2015, I was telling myself i didn't want to spend over 2,000 so this is great news! Thanks for the Reply!

[@vutEwa]

wow, thanks so much for sharing this video, that was a lot of very valuable information.

[@rowdybeaver33]

Fantastic video! Thanks for sharing.

[@EvanMagelssen]

Awesome video! I love the practicality and the detail you went into about all you carried and where you carried it. How long did it take to heat up water with your stove? how long would it last and what kind of food did you bring with ya?

[@ParallaxSmoothJazz]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@JayWandersOut]

Nice video. I especially liked that you had a good first aid kit. There are so many videos of ultralight packers who basically bring along an Altoid size or smaller bag for their first aid kit it's ridiculous.

[@JayWandersOut]

Good idea. Only go hiking with an "expert" with you. Maybe you don't have to since there are EMTs at every mile on your favorite trails but for everyone else to get any help it will be a several mile hike. Get off the trail?? You must hike only on sidewalks or something. How hard it is to stop the bleeding?? You make it sound like first aid is this mystery. Apply pressure. I'm sure he's not going to just give out prescription meds to people but if you're on the side of a trail with a large laceration that won't stop bleeding you would rather we walk by you than stop and apply a pressure bandage? Seriously? Where I hike there aren't any experts. In fact the most expert first aid professional in miles would be me.

[@lunaceleste8174]

Thanks for the video! It was very helpful. I really want that gorillpod!!

[@IamNemoN01]

Nice rig. My pack is set up for bushcrafting, and it's anything but lightweight. But I take notes on UL backpacking, and one day I plan to get some lighter gear (like a titanium pot). That said, I've come to terms with the fact that bushcrafters will never achieve the same level of lightweight-gotta have the axe, knife, fishing pole, and other [heavy] duty tools, lol.

[@RedwoodOutdoors]

Congratulations on your PCT thru-hike!! Pretty crazy on the SteriPen battery life. Any problems with your Spot not getting signal? Is your shirt the "Silver Ridge" ? Any problem this year with stores not having heet in stock? At any point did your 20(f) bag not keep you warm at night? Did you make your own maltodextrin mix? Ditto on the love for the exped pillow! Did you loose your sun-runner hat along the way? It was a pleasure watching your videos over the last few months!

[@jandbpct]

We both had down bags from Feathered Friends (Seattle). We chose the "Swallow" model. For more detailed information, click on the Postholer link under the description above. It shows a complete list of all our gear.

[@ryandawg81]

Great information, thanks and congrats!

[@papakilla1]

hello i watched this video and it helped me know what to get i like hearing from someone who has already went and knows instead of just heading, i was just wondering if you could expand on what you mean by saying you put all your own maps in the gps i know you can but what maps did you put and was it helpful on top of your paper maps? if you could make a video on it that would be awesome too thanks GREAT VIDS

[@alicetaylor57]

hello there I loved the video, was wondering how long did it take you to do the PCT, and how many miles did you average a day? Also what food did you take when you where out there?

[@jandbpct]

Alice - Your comment was "linked" so I could nor reply to it. Answer: See the link to "postholer" above and read the entries for October 13 (for miles per day) and October 31 for our food choices. It takes a normal person about 5 months to thru hike the entire trail and many hikers cut food costs by eating Ramen Noodles, Knorr dehydrated side dishes and Idahoan Instant mashed potatoes etc.

[@sarbalthazar1527]

Lol toothpaste. You don't need it to brush at all. So many items I would never carry or even own. Im glad my basic approach seems very efficient by comparison :) Im glad it worked well for you.

[@jandbpct]

Marti, yeah, it is one of those HYOH things. I even shaved on my thru hike and had a smooth chin for most of the 5 month journey. Hate beards and halitosis!

[@jandbpct]

@pizzascott1 Thanks Scotty - We will hike again soon.

[@metzelplex]

Good video bud with lots of info but I was kind of curious about how you got resupplied did you know approx. when and where you were you were going to be on a certain day and then had someone UPS your stuff to you? Also was there any cell phone service where you were to call for your resupply?

[@Anthonysaudiojournal]

Silly ipad cut off my comment below. Anyway, I've got a hiking podcast and blog you will like called Anthony's Audio Journal. I hike all over SoCal and the Sierras and shoot lots of video like yours. I also use a Canon 300, a GoPro, gorillapod and a stick pic. Love the videos, keep em comin !

[@redshaftedflicker]

I dunno about that steri-pen. New batteries every 10 days to me means a royal pain. Tequila Jack, what did you use for footwear? You have your gear dialed in big time!!

[@theFlashOracle]

first off congratulations on your PCT thru hike. how much water did you carry? you mentioned that you only carried a liter bottle, did you find that carrying only a liter was too little water in some sections?

[@sligo405]

Congrats on the long walk. I'm thinking of doing it myself in 2013. I'm curious about footwear. I'm hearing a lot of folks are using trail runners. What kind of shoes were you wearing and how far did they take you?

[@snoo333]

while watching your video, i kept thinking it would be cool if the backpack came with some wheels so that at times you can pull or push the pack. would it not be easier on the body to push or pull something rather than carrying it?

[@snoo333]

got it, now i understand why there are not videos of pack wheels.

[@joshuaferrill7913]

You should have a bigger first aid kit. Mine is the mountain series fundamentals.

[@joebelledin6238]

very helpful ,oh and 32 pounds aint squat thats feather weight excellent job.i hope i can get that light.thanks again .

[@RaymondMillbrae]

Nice video. Can you specify on your sock attire. Did you layer your socks? (Thin ones on your feet, with thicker ones over them)? And what brand?

[@SouthernManinDakotas]

Nice video. I'd be interested in the food you took.

[@williamhosch2087]

I've been thinking of replacing my Steripen (and those weird batteries!). with the Sawyer inline filter. What is your reason for still primarily using the Steripen?

[@waynepulis1196]

I ask because I would like to do a very minimalist hike and wish to pack only necessities.

[@jandbpct]

Ball park, $1200 - $1500 each. If you click on the journal link at the top (postholer) and jump to the Oct 31st entry, you will find more details. Also, our complete gear list is detailed on the Oct 15th entry. On the site above, use the "View" box on the upper right to jump directly to these entries. Cost estimate is for hiking and clothing gear only - not cellphone or camera etc. We have seen thru hikers with thrift shop gear, invested maybe a couple hundred bucks!

[@tusharmohite0]

Thank you so much for the video

[@phgjenn]

super helpful info! Thanks!

[@48plaster]

great video very informative. thanks.

[@psbatth2011]

sir u r a tru outdorsman i am so carried away how u handle water coz not many ppl understand dat water wil either drown,deprive,dehydrate u .i have worked in da toughest f da terrains from zanskas 2 sahizaydis 2 shivaliks 2 aravalis 2 shivaliks .now m in California and i will walk ur trail i just want ur advice as i am so addicted to technology. however i would need the average time 4 the trail nd the tempe and the weather conditions . i'd be much obliged if u tell me how to get the infio

[@jandbpct]

@wayphun72 Spitfire - we are hoping to read your 2012 journal next summer. If you need any assistance in SD, look us up.

[@GoTides30]

im doing this april 2013, i will be the youngest solo hiker to do so. Im 17.

[@jandbpct]

Yep, that was us, Barb and Jack

[@Games4Dummies]

great info, thanks

[@Slcmum123]

Wonderful video!! And between which two check points was the longest that you had to carry enough food for? About how many days was it? Congrats on your hike!

[@jandbpct]

QT - the longest stretch without resupply is in California Section H, from Kennedy Meadows to VVR (Vermilion Valley Resort) or Mammoth Lakes but one can head out at Kearsarge Pass to Independence for resupply. This is what we did as the snow really slowed us down. So KM (mile 702) to Kearsarge (mile 788) was about six days. Then we resupplied at Independence and went all the way to Mammoth (903) in eight more days. You can resupply at VVR and make it in about six. If it is a low snow year, you should be able to make better time but this section is perhaps the most difficult on the entire trail.

[@wayphun72]

Spitfire freekin loves you Jack!

[@eonblue46]

The ULA circuit comes with a 2 liter internal bladder pocket. Did you use this? Did your 3 liter platy fit in it?