My Gear List For My Thru Hike | Pacific Crest Trail 2024

In 2024, I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and wanted to share everything I am starting the trail with! I am the first to admit that I do not fall into the ultra-light category and prioritized comfort overweight in many categories. So in this video I am showing everything I decided to include in my backpack for my first-ever thru-hike!
My Gear List:
0:00 Introduction
1:03 Zenbivy Sleeping Bag
2:08 Zenbivy Core Sheet
2:57 Zebviy Flex Air Mattress
3:40 Zenbivy Soft Top Pillow
5:04 Nemo Switchback Pad
5:47 Nemo Hornet Osomo 2 Person Tent
7:05 Jetboil Stash
9:03 Sawyer Squeeze and CNOC water filtration system
10:18 Cotopaxi Fleece and Hat
10:49 REI Down Jacket
11:29 Mountain Hardware Sun Hoodie
12:16: Northface T-Shirt
12:41 REI Shorts
13:19 REI Wool Baselayer Pants
13:38 Darn Tough Wool Socks
13:48 Underwear
14:00 Toque
14:13 Buff Headband
14:20 Rain Gear
14:59 Altra Lone Peak Shoes
15:57 Xero Sandles
16:19 Long Spoon
16:31 Bug Net
16:51 Kahtoola Microspikes
17:07 Backpack Cover
17:27 Gloves
17:38 Gaitors
17:53 Zenbivy Gaitors
18:11 Shaker Bottle
18:33 Petzel Headlamp
18:53 First Aid Kit
19:42 Protection Items
20:47 Ursack Bearproof Bag
21:33 Toiletries
24:26 Trekking Poles
24:48 Electronics
27:19 Garmin In-Reach Mini
27:41 Deuter Air Contact Backpack
To see my full gear list, weight, and more, visit: lighterpack.com/r/73gqvi
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If you haven't already, make sure to hit that FOLLOW button, or you can also follow the journey on these social channels:
Instagram - / route_tohappiness
Tik Tok - www.tiktok.com/ @theroutetoha...
I will be vlogging my journey and sharing the ups and downs of doing your first thru hike as a solo female! I will be honest and open about my battles with anxiety and learning to be independent again as I head into my 30's this year!
#PCT #thruhike #thruhiking #pacificcresttrail #hikingvlog #outdoors #adventurevlog #gearreviews #pct2024 #backpacking

[@mikezaloudek4893]

Have a good hike. I hope you don't have to stab anything but glad you have it in case.

[@thewanderdogproject]

Thanks for the review! 😀

[@lucybarrington4634]

I’m looking forward to following your journey. I love that you’re prioritizing your comfort and yeah for the sun protection. 😊 Happy trails.

[@theroutetohappiness]

Thank you! I appreciate the follow and hope to share the journey well 🙂

[@jakephillips7883]

Nice one! Looking forward to see what adjustments you make throughout the trail!

[@theroutetohappiness]

Thanks! Already made a few so I’ll have to do a video on that after a month or so on trail

[@allisonhill4673]

Love all the details..... and you have a fun personality!!

[@theroutetohappiness]

Thank you! That might be the nicest comment I’ve received online ever 😊

[@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl]

Great gear list! Enjoy your adventure Safe and happy trails from the Netherlands 🐾

[@theroutetohappiness]

Thank you so much! I’ll be honest I never thought I would have someone from the Netherlands watching my videos especially at this small scale! Much appreciated and thanks for the comment! 🥹

[@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl]

@@theroutetohappiness you're welcome 😊

[@garronrinkel4785]

Great video!

[@theroutetohappiness]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@TheSherchel]

Useful review

[@theroutetohappiness]

I appreciate that! 😊

[@GenGenevieve1]

Have fun in your journey

[@theroutetohappiness]

Thank you so much!

[@trexinvert]

Welcome to CALIFORNIA and the PCT. Great gear video.

[@theroutetohappiness]

Thank you so much and super stoked to be here!

[@juliefrechette7562]

Very cool sunhoodie !!!!

[@theroutetohappiness]

Thank you! I purchased one before this but when this came our at REI I knew it was the one I needed.

[@gaylewalker4239]

I enjoyed watching your gear video. As I purchase my gear, I do look for as lightweight gear as I can. I also am looking for comfort. I'm 62 and looking at section hiking the PCT. I am wondering about some of the weight on the gear you have chosen. Especial your sleep water and rain gear. Good luck. Keep trekking. 😀

[@theroutetohappiness]

Thats great! I definitely think weight is important and for yourself go as light as possible. My sleep system is not the lightest but its SOOOO comfortable and I sleep so well. For weight on the items, you can see my gear weights here: lighterpack.com/r/73gqvi. My total with water and 2 days of food came to 33lbs. Its heavier than some but comfy for me as a 29 year old, stronger female :)

[@lucybarrington4634]

@@theroutetohappiness Your sleep system definitely looks comfy and cozy. Love the girly pillow case. 😊 But seriously a good night’s sleep is going to make your experience so much better. 33 lbs isn’t that bad if you’re counting over 8 pounds of water. Hopefully you won’t always have to carry 4 liters for long distances.

[@user-vx1nu9jh7t]

Nice looking fleece

[@theroutetohappiness]

Thanks!

[@michelstronguin6974]

Sweet gear list! Have fun on the PCT!!! About the sleep system, its true Zenbivy are geniuses, I also have the Zenbivy UL sleeping bag (I also got the white and love it!), but I ended up using the full sheet instead of the half sheet, because the half sheet doesn't have tension like the full sheet does. Which means that the half sheet goes up on you in the middle of the night and in general is less comfortable than the full sheet. I hope Zenbivy comes out with a 10d full sheet to reduce the weight of the full sheet, i'll be on that lickety split!

[@theroutetohappiness]

Great points, I found the same thing and love my full sheet! I’d be interested to see what a 10D sheet feels like. I love the comfort of the current one and it’s fairly light too. But I’ll definitely try it if they drop a new one!

[@Andy-Mesa]

I was wondering if Zenbivy was gonna convince anyone to carry their "ultralight" sleep system. I'll be curious to see how it works out for you. I'm starting in a week, so maybe I'll see you on the trail.

[@theroutetohappiness]

Yeah I was just chatting with my partner about which gear to take and what I’ll shed. I’m definitely not considered to be apart of the ultralight category. So I’m carrying extra weight in general for comfort but things will change and adjust throughout the journey I imagine! 😊

[@Andy-Mesa]

@@theroutetohappiness You'll have a much better idea by Mt. Laguna.

[@switchrousseau4992]

I think you could easy drop a couple pounds of gear that are not necessary. You will learn as you go. I am curoous about the zenbivy system. Looks comfy but heavy. I wish you a great adventure and looking forward to following your journey

[@theroutetohappiness]

So far a couple days in and I have ditched a few smaller items but already so thankful for the Zenbivy system. I wake up so well rested while I hear everyone else complaining about bad sleeps and cold nights.

[@bluemonkey0121]

Did you find the Core Sheet more comfortable than the UL one? What was your primary reason? Wondering whether I mix and match a Zenbivy quilt and sheet.

[@theroutetohappiness]

Great question, yes I did find it much more comfortable and it stays on better. The half sheet (UL) seemed to be a little more tricky to keep on the mattress. For the weight, it was more comfy to have a sheet underneath you also. Because it’s a quilt, you don’t get fabric beneath you like a traditional mummy bag. Hope this helps!

[@paddle_hike]

Great gear list but not using a pack liner might be a mistake... Pack covers helps but water DO get inside from the back side etc... So, Pack liner makes a big difference but that's my opinion. Good luck on the PCT

[@theroutetohappiness]

That is a great point. Perhaps I’ll switch that around. I do have everything in dry bags which will help that.

[@paddle_hike]

@@theroutetohappiness yes...dry bags will help for sure. It's just a point of view and my own experience with the weather. Take care

[@summittaedae2323]

2:18 you definitely said this 💩 🤣

[@theroutetohappiness]

I plead the 5th 😂

[@lisakeller4645]

What is the weight of your pack?

[@theroutetohappiness]

Hey my base weight which excludes water and food is probably somewhere between 22-25lbs. The electronics add quite a bit so that would be a quick way to cut some weight if you’re looking to. I anticipate my final weight with food and water will vary from 25lbs to 35lbs depending on the stretch and how much I’m carrying. I’m 175lbs and fairly strong so this weight for me feels comfortable! But we will find out won’t we 😅

[@switchrousseau4992]

What is your base weight.

[@theroutetohappiness]

It came out to about 32 pounds with a few days food and 2L of water!

[@terryelam7010]

Where’s the portal? Disappearing dog @6:32.

[@thesocialotter5955]

Haha good eye!

[@theroutetohappiness]

Its a secret. But its near Sedona haha

[@dashelyc]

Bear spray is not legal in the national parks of the Sierra Nevadas including Yosemite.

[@theroutetohappiness]

Yeah I’ve got my partner following in the van so I’ll just leave it there through the sections.

[@asmith7876]

Illegal? Are there dangerous bears there? If so, how do they want you to protect yourself? If bear spray is illegal, I suppose a handgun is out of the question. 😂

[@theroutetohappiness]

@@asmith7876 it does say so on their site but I do agree it’s a bit silly as there are no other options for protection.

[@67L48]

@@asmith7876 Firearms are allowed in all national parks, just not inside the buildings. So, you can carry as you hike, you just can't go inside the visitor center with it. Guns and ammo are pretty darn heavy, though. Not sure I'd want to hike with one.

[@mikezaloudek4893]

will the bears report you?