PCT 2024 - Couples Gear Loadout - Everything We're Bringing on the Pacific Crest Trail

We are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime on the Pacific Crest Trail. We'll be hiking from Mexico to Canada... and we can't do that without the proper gear. In this video Anna and I break down everything we'll be carrying in our backpacks. From the hot California desert, to the High Sierra. You can find our Lighterpack lists below. If you have any questions, ask away in the comments. Cheers!
Justin's Gear: lighterpack.com/r/3scwi6
Anna's Gear: lighterpack.com/r/b3lp83

[@samcrawford5665]

For those of us who are following along (and planning our future PCT thru hike), appreciated your gear breakdown here before you head out. As you hike, it'll be nice to observe your load-out in action! Hoping all the best for you.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you so much!

[@markhawkins2723]

Awesome video guys thank you

[@martinbrown4940]

I found that light weight rain mitts were a game changer both during times when it rained all day and when it snowed. good luck on your adventure looking forward to you posts.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you! I’m thinking we’ll get some. Do you have a recommendation?

[@martinbrown4940]

REI Minimalist GTX or Mountain Laurel Design rain mitts.@@justinhitsthetrail5225

[@loganwanders]

Stoked to follow you guys on your adventure! Didn't realize I wasn't subbed to this channel. Got the bell on and all that now! Anna is awesome and I'm sure the vids will be at least twice as good with both of you. Hope you guys enjoy the rest of the calm before the storm!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you! All the adventures are better with her! Not too long left. The excitement is building!

[@JimGerHikes]

Stoked for you guys! Look forward to watching your adventure!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

We can’t be more excited! Thanks for following along!

[@Soundofcats99]

Super informative!

[@hiller_nbay]

Great selection of gear. Looks like you have everything covered. good luck and safe travels!👍

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you!

[@soniacastro8182]

Awesome gear load out. Yes to the umbrella. I section hike the PCT and so glad I have it on the warm days where the trail is out in the wide open.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you! I thinks that’s the way I’m leaning

[@mariusventer853]

Cant wait to watch your videos. Thank you

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Hope you enjoy! Cheers 🍻

[@Mike_Blanda]

Super great video! Thanks guys 👍 ENJOY the PCT 👏 I hope you update along the way. I backpack mainly Sierras and JMT areas and never needed or used an umbrella. I always have my hood up on my sun hoody to cover my ears and face

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Sun hoody worked great for my JMT hike. If i brought the umbrella I’d send it back before the Sierra. Mainly for the hot desert.

[@Mike_Blanda]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225 yah very true! Makes sense….. I couldn’t imagine backpacking sunburned lol Cheers

[@DrKeithMcNally]

It's beautiful terrain there!

[@frstesiste7670]

I've hiked the PCT and never missed an umbrella. I started late April but had a fairly cold couple of weeks in the beginning so maybe not representative. To me the wind was a lot more tiring than the sun in some sections - not surprising when you walk for days through areas with wind farms. I found waterproof mitts really helpful. Not often they but made a huge difference when needed. I switched between carrying only waterproof mitts and thin gloves + waterproof. If I were to do it again, I'd go for thin wool liners + waterproof mitts but how much insulation you need depends on how easy your hands get cold. I was going to comment on the double sleeping pad which I think is less than ideal if you'd ever have to camp in different places one night, but the Z-Rest solves that problem.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you so much for all that. Still undecided about the umbrella. I know the wind makes it pretty useless. But sounds like waterproof mitts are a good addition. Cheers 🍻

[@kristymoore7052]

I am hiking the JMT this year so am doing a bit of what you are doing for a smaller scale hike, but still it’s the Sierra. The big bear canister is a bugger. Last year I snowshoe backpacked with what I thought were waterproof gloves. If I were out for longer it could have been dangerous. I now have the rain mitts. They weigh nothing and your weightier warming gloves may not be waterPROOF. With the condition you have, I’d consider these a must. Another couple of things I added a few years ago that I did not see you mention are down booties and hood/hat. Also weigh next to nothing. Cottage brand or Amazon. All good. The hood, like a baclava is nice in that it stays on your head, when a beanie can come off in the middle of the night. The booties…well, once you have them, they’ll go everywhere with you, now and forever, except when it is a truly warm night. Looking forward to seeing more of your adventure.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

I hiked the JMT in 2021, so I’m very familiar with the bear can! It’s a necessary evil. I’m definitely leaning toward waterproof mitts for us! Fortunately both our puffy jackets have hoods so we can maintain beanies and hoods throughout the night. I’ve thought about down booties, but with thicker socks and our 10 degree quilt we have yet to have cold feet. Something we should consider though. Have a great time on the JMT! It’s wonderful! Cheers 🍻

[@Wondering_Fireball]

I love the umbrella. It is great for keeping the temps down on the hot sunny days and it will help keep you warmer when it’s raining. Dixie (outdoor wander lust) has done a great vlog on the umbrella. As for the mittens; I use them to add that extra warm and dryness in the mountains and cold rainy days.

[@bobv7753]

Big thumbs up with the umbrella and rain mitts. Everyone has their personal preference with them. I have found them very useful. You can also just send them home if not needed. The umbrella provided good shade and quick access to wet weather protection when not wind driven. The rain mitts kept my hands dry durinng cold rain & snow providing hand warmth. A huge plus for me. Best Wishes on the hike!!!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you! I think we’re leaning toward both.

[@margotttttt]

Love the idea of using an old dehydrated meal pack to hold your ziploc baggies! Excited to follow your journey! I'm hoping to hike the PCT with my partner in a few years.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Saw someone else do it a few years ago and I’ve been doing it ever since. Thanks for following along!

[@Shockhikes]

I was really grateful I had my umbrella. It is a bummer that it blocks your view but totally worth it. Smart to have the single tent backup plan. Have a great adventure!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you so much!

[@geronimo1533]

Nice be safe!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you, we will!

[@tjleinin]

Great video. I’d love to see a review on the watch! As this is one piece of gear I have never pulled the trigger on. They can be expensive!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

It wasn’t cheap! Also not the most expensive watch either. There’s a lot of features with the watch I’m unfamiliar with so not sure I could give the best review, and there are some good ones out there! Perhaps from a hiker perspective though. Cheers 🍻

[@glazierd55]

My wife and I have the same sleep system and love it! I used the umbrella on the 55 miles that I did from Mexico to Julian, but only sparingly. Doesn’t work well in the wind, but did help on some exposed hot climbs. Get the zpacks waterproof mits. Weight 2 oz but are money with my Possum down gloves for warmth, wind and rain.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Such a great sleep system! I think we’ll be getting mitts. The umbrella is 50/50 right now. The wind is my biggest concern with it. Cheers!

[@timothybryant649]

I say yes to both. The umbrella weights so little compared to the weight of direct sunlight with no shade to be had. I live in the desert and know what that heat can do to you. If you think you don’t want it ship it home. With Anna’s hand issue, do you have to ask. The weight between the umbrella and the gloves minimal. You won’t regret it. Be safe and hike on.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Good to know! I can always start with it and ship it home if I’m not using it. Cheers 🍻

[@baysword]

They make a threaded connector ring you can put between the filter and the water bottle. Saves holding it all while filtering. Have fun.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you!

[@carriepile7025]

Awwwww I love the new pack Anna love your luxury item ❤

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

She’s got a great setup!

[@SuperdutyExplorer]

Nice gear video!! Love seeing people do full weight training hikes to test how max weight feels!! I'm gonna be rocking 50lbs on an over night storm testing on my brand new never used tent! MSR frontrange, going back to where I had my first backpacking trip and 4-8 inch on snow is expected!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

50 lbs in a storm in freezing weather with snow?? Now that’s a true test! Have fun out there. Cheers 🍻

[@SuperdutyExplorer]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225 thanks, hopefully not snowing to much that I can get a video out of it haha!

[@woodchip2782]

Rain mitts are very useful, especially when it’s snowing or when you get cold. Having dry hands is essential. Water needs heat to evaporate, it takes it from your skin. Nice gear choices . Wish you well!😊

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you! Sounds like we’ll be bringing rain mits

[@dougmiller4567]

Amazing gear break down, very informative and helpful to aspiring thru hikers. One question? Why are you each brining stoves and towels if you are hiking together? Seems like you could drop some weight without sacrificing comfort? Looking forward to following your hike...

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you! Stoves are for efficiency. We’ll already each have a pot/cup and we’ll need enough fuel for 2 people. Just need a stove for a full kit and then we don’t have to wait for each other. May send one back if we find we’re only using one at a time. Towels are less than an ounce 🤷‍♂️. Could also send back if we’re not using them.

[@VistaVerse]

That cut to the studio was funny

[@hikingmovie]

You will love the Kakwa pack. Used that on the AT last year

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Good to hear!

[@yohozay4584]

careful when taking the umbrella, there could be winds that make it harder to use the umbrella.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Keep getting mixed opinions about the umbrella. The wind is the main reason I’d consider leaving it

[@antoniabaker7770]

Definitely take the umbrella

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

On trail now. Did not take the umbrella… 😬. It’s been manageable without it, but it would be nice on some days for sure. Still have a lot of desert to go.

[@liamboggs]

Man, that's a lot of load out. i hope what's in it, it's a good sleeping system along with it.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

It’s a great sleep system!

[@Goingmyownway]

My recommendation is to put your water bladder (I also put the filter) in the front zippered pocket on the Kakwa, keeps it nicely protected and easily accessible.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Not carrying a bladder, but the Kakwa (at least this 2024 version) only has zippers on the hip belt pockets and on a side pocket. Filter is plenty accessible in the big front mesh pocket. Not sure which pocket you’re referencing.

[@Goingmyownway]

The zippered compartment on the left side water bottle pouch. @@justinhitsthetrail5225

[@Goingmyownway]

The zippered compartment on the left side water bottle pocket. idk I consider that the front because when I'm wearing the pack its in the front. @@justinhitsthetrail5225

[@foreverirish132]

Hi, thanks for the video 😊 just wondering what your rechargeable gloves are? Thanks

[@JCornell1225]

Ororo “Buffalo” gloves

[@2ozfs]

I wish I would have taken a sun umbrella through the desert section of the PCT last year!

[@billprice6458]

Thats smart how you're reusing that foil packaging. Are those freezer bags that you use for the inside or something else? I wanted to try something like that, but I wasn't sure if it would melt. Great gear.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Yes they are! Freezer bags won’t melt. Also like to put Skurka rice n beans (or other homemade meals) in there.

[@goldrosinchen7652]

Take the umbrella AND also buy the umbrella clamp from Gossamer Gear for having your hands free. Best thing for having shade all the time you need it. Best regards from Germany and happy trails!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Thank you!

[@kelseyschaefer1397]

I LASHed from Campo to Lake Tahoe in 2021. I brought a umbrella and found it more annoying then anything. Every time I brought it out I was constantly fighting against the wind and it flipping inside out. I ditched it around Whitewater

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

I was originally leaning toward bringing it, but I think I’m changing my mind. Sounds like it would be nice on hot sunny days, but more of an annoyance than anything

[@mulladylife]

Last year my spouse and I bought some ultralight umbrellas and made them hands free before we left for the trail but decided to leave them home. We bought some new ones in Agua Dulce for the painfully hot/exposed days ahead…we used them for a few days and they were so annoying we sent them home from Tehachapi. We now have 4 ultralight umbrellas at home that we will probably never use🤣🤦🏻‍♀️. Have a great hike.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

@@mulladylife haha that’s exactly what I worry will happen! We’re leaning towards leaving them behind at this point

[@nathankoenegstein3253]

Hey id love some updates on how you’re liking your pack! Thinking about getting the 40 liter

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Love it! Carries super well. If there’s a downside it’s that it has a thin back panel, so you have to pack it correctly so nothing is jabbing you, but I love it. There’s a reason I’m taking it on the PCT over my Hyperlite.

[@nathankoenegstein3253]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225 looking forward to following your journey!

[@Capt_kook]

When I was 24 my best friend and I went 3 day backpacking trip in the Mazatzal wilderness on the Arizona trail and was miss guided by a USFS ranger after he told us that there was a good camping ground with water 4 miles ahead. As we hiked along we started running low on water at 11 am and had not realized that the directions that the ranger gave us was BS. Mind you this was in October and was still very hot. We ended up deciding to keep hiking till we found the camp. Our water reserve ran out at high noon and we were well past our point of return to our original water source. Things got desperate when we both started to get signs of heat stroke. We have hiked 9 miles and a couple thousand feet in elevation since we met the ranger. Around 430pm my friend couldn’t walk any further due to his heat stroke condition and I made the decision to go off and find water or get rescue. I hiked about 2 miles and couldn’t get any reception so I decided to go back for my friend even though I didn’t find water. After I met back with him we both just kept going at a very slow pace. We were extremely desperate at this point and we’re doing things that didn’t make sense including ditching a bunch of gear. Around 9:30 pm we came upon a extremely small wash with a trickle of water in it and a bunch of moss around it! Life saver! I remembered a technique of squeezing the moss to get the water into your mouth and we did just that since we had no way of collecting it otherwise. We had hiked over 14 miles in desert mountain terrain since we met that dang ranger and were completely exhausted, dehydrated and both of us had some form of heat stroke. We sat there and drank for an hour and realized I had phone reception. With 2 percent battery left I made the call for rescue because our exposure to the heat was not going to get better. The rescuers found us 6 hours later due to our remote location and we hiked the rest of the way out. By the time we got back to our car it was 6:30 am. We learned that day to NEVER trust ANYONE when giving directions on the trail. We also made a bad decision by keep going when we didn’t know what was ahead of us

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

That’s a rough trip! And a tough lesson learned. That’s surprising that a ranger would give you misinformation, but like you said, it’s hard to trust anyone’s directions on the trail. Just have to be confident in your own skills, abilities, and research. Hopefully that was the only experience like that for you.

[@Capt_kook]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225 Yea that’s for sure! It took me some time to get over the ordeal. Hopefully my one and only mistake like that

[@Truth-Seeker75]

Good video. What is the brand of your wall charger? Thanks.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Anker

[@juicehikes5436]

Sweet sun hoodie!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

It’s pretty awesome! I hope the owners of Evolved Supply Co know they have a great product on their hands 😉

[@annamarcantel1]

I’ll be first in line for the women’s version!

[@juicehikes5436]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225 awe, thanks! Glad you dig it! Will you be vlogging your whole hike?

[@juicehikes5436]

@@annamarcantel1 maybe some day!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Yeah the plan is weekly (or so) vlogs on the trail and I’ll try to put something bigger together after. Can’t wait!

[@leowolf9258]

Okay Let’s talk about your bidet, looks like both of y’all have one. Are you bring any TP? Does the bidet clean you well enough? Thanks for your input, planning on hiking the AT 2025 Regards Happy Trails Leo Wolf

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Always bring TP as a backup in case we have to dry camp. If I can find some good leaves I’ll still do an initial wipe with that, otherwise an initial wipe with TP then use the bidet. If you scroll through my videos you’ll find I have a whole video about how I use the bidet in the backcountry. I’d check that out! Cheers, and good luck on the AT next year!

[@miketheglassguy7568]

What size sun hoodie did you get? Ive seen mixed reviews on the sizing. Thanks!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

I got a medium. I would size down. I considered myself between sizes. I originally got a large and it was huge on me. Medium fits great. Especially after a few washes. I’d size down, unless you want it really loose fitting.

[@hoser7706]

Great idea using the empty freeze dried foid puches to out ziplocs i. Why the duplication of gear if hiking together?

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

I saw that idea on someone else’s JMT video and thought it was a great idea! Been doing it ever since. We’re sharing the camp setup, obviously, but having separate cook and filtration setups is just for efficiency. Filtering water can take a while when you’re dealing with 4 liters as opposed to 2, plus the filters will last longer. With cooking we can both make our own food and coffee without having to wait. And the weight for pots,stoves, and water filters are only about 1/2 lb per person.

[@jellybeanhikes9581]

You guys have geat setups just fyi the ula pack gets wet in the north i changed to a hyperlite

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

We both have pack liners (we forgot to include them in the video)

[@jellybeanhikes9581]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225 got that but adds weight

[@Nicholas-cm6rx]

Not too familiar with yall but her posture at @1:49 seems to indicate that either her pack is too heavy of fitted poorly. Probably can be fixed with targeted strength training, consider addressing it ASAP or expect a lot of back pain and damage.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

She does more strength training than anyone I know haha. I’m not seeing what you’re seeing @1:49.

[@colbypark1311]

Have y'all mentioned roughly when you'll be starting the PCT? I certainly may have missed it!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

We did in the announcement video. Without giving a specific date away, it’s mid-late April. Cheers 🍻

[@colbypark1311]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225 Awesome, sorry must have missed that! Excited for you two. I am doing the JMT in early July and was going to see if there was a chance I'd pass y'all on the trail. Hopefully you'll be beyond Yosemite by that point, but if not I'll make sure to give y'all a "cheers!"

[@DanielOutdoors]

Since you own both, Is that tracking device better than the Garmin Mini 2?

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

The Zoleo? Honestly we don’t use the Garmin or Zoleo for tracking purposes. It drains the battery like crazy. Just use those for check ins and in case of emergency. I use my coros watch for tracking.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

The Zoleo has a better messaging system than the Garmin, if that makes a difference

[@conniebarrs4092]

What camera gear do you use?

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Only the best and fanciest… an iPhone 14 Pro! 😳

[@stevenvarner9806]

Wow, someone who pronounces "cnoc" correctly. Good job you two. - Do you think the bidet bottle needs to be large for a guy? I was thinking of getting one of the bidet caps, but thought the bottle might be able to be smaller between water sources (compared to what I would be drinking). Many times that cat hole in the morning will be near a water source anyway. - Oh, and if you're going anytime soon, you'll need the snow stuff in southern California. 😉

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

I remember hearing an interview with the owner of CNOC one time… and that’s how he pronounced it! Settled that debate for me real quick 😆. I use a 700 ml bottle and that’s good for a couple rounds for me. Everyone is different though. Could get away with smaller but no need to go any bigger.

[@stevenvarner9806]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225Fun fact: "cnoc" means "hill" in Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

[@user-ul5yu5hk9k]

Nice kits. You guys could really reduce weight of load-out by sharing bear can, stove, pot etc

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

We’ve considered sharing the cook setup, but we both will at least be carrying a pot or cup regardless for coffee and some hot food. With our own stoves we don’t have to wait on the other person and we can be more efficient. Our own bear cans are a necessary evil unfortunately. We will be doing stretches of at least 7 days through the Sierra where they’re required, and both cans will be filled to capacity for that.

[@dustyoldhat]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225 you defo can't share a bear can

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

@@dustyoldhat oh yeah I’m well aware. Did the JMT in 2021 and I had it full to the brim. And that was just me!

[@UncleGeorgeTV]

Looks like you guys got everything you need👍 Don't know about the art kit. I Definitely would trade that out for a #2 Pencil and more water myself but I can only draw stick figures

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

She’s an artist! Some people bring ukuleles, some people bring more art supplies that she is! Still lighter that most good cameras 😂

[@lisajanestrawbridge7833]

To save on weight, why not bring just 1 stove & pot and share the use of it. Take turns each use to who uses it first.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Now that we’re on trail, I’m glad we both have our own pots. They also double as cups, so we can both have our morning coffees and have dinner at the same time. Would not want to be ravenous at the end of the day and have to wait my turn to eat haha. We’re still going back and forth on the stove though. It would save a few ounces, but right now we’re making use of both.

[@joehussman9891]

I hiked with my GF in 2019, you can leave the umbrella at home. You won’t need it.

[@WalkthePlanets]

Beautiful land pronounced "Mah-zaht-zahl," meaning "land of the deer." ;-)

[@JasonLumactod23]

Mmmm…moon juice

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

So good 🍻

[@user-wm9iv6cu5y]

So much heavy, mandatory gear..😢😢😢

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

Some necessary evils ☹️

[@stevenvarner9806]

By the way, take the umbrella, it's very useful. However, stop listening to FarOut and calling the southern California the "desert section." Please. The PCTA rightly just calls it "southern California." The only full desert in *any* of southern California is the westernmost edge of the Mojave Desert at the California Aquaduct. There's a small amount of transitional "desert chaparral" around Scissors Crossing, but climate change is making it more and more arid. Most of the PCT in southern California is some type of *chaparral* habitat, not desert. Chaparral is California's most common habitat, and you will be walking in it a lot all the way into southern Oregon. The first public land on the PCT is Cleveland National Forest which is 82% chaparral habitat. 56% of San Bernardino NF and 74% of Angeles NF is chaparral. You'll see a lot of it in northern California, too.

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

We’re coming from Arizona. Used to a lot of desert hiking! But I known it’ll be a different environment. Even here it’s a “green desert” with rugged mountains. I know we’re not walking through the Sahara haha

[@stevenvarner9806]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225Yes, I lived in Douglas for two years and Tucson for 8. I love the Sonoran Desert. We have an absolutely gorgeous desert environment here in San Diego County also (Colorado Desert), but most of that is several dozen miles east of the PCT. You can see it from above while on Mount Laguna. The area walking down into Scissors Crossing from the Lagunas used to be a much more lush grassy cattle raising area, but has been getting drier every year. The area southeast of the crossing is actually a marshy area called Sentenac Cienega.

[@SophisticatedDogCat]

Don’t take an umbrella, c’mon. One gust of wind and it’s done, and it’s also cumbersome.

[@solukhumbu911]

i wonder how many backpackers wud be eliminated from the trails if gps satellites didnot exist. it was so frustrating to learn the growing number of people who call for rescue for non-life threatening related reasons (by majority these people are women). i personally dont take those devices because 1. save weight and money and 2. i feel like if you cant hike out in the wilderness without it then you dont deserve to . like, backpacking is a recreational activity that we do for our own personal selfish reasons, why should anyone have to take on the burden for something to chose to do for fun?? its giving people this gross false sense of courage , and the air of arrogance in that security of "oh help is just a button away!" lastly, where is the sense and spirit of adventure if in your head, you feel completely safe and insulated in the wild???

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

I think most backpackers would still be out there. I’ve been backpacking for 15 years and only had my Garmin for the last 2! Most people can definitely hike in the wilderness without them. Been doing that since humans could walk! It’s true though that too many people press SOS unnecessarily. But regardless, I don’t see any harm in having one. If one were to break a leg in the mountains, days away from civilization, I bet they wish they’d had one. More importantly though, for many hikers, like myself, it’s more for the family at home. It’s the daily check ins. Not for the hikers themselves. Not having stressed loved ones is worth it. Cheers 🍻

[@dustyoldhat]

The idea that the PCT is "out in the wilderness" is a common misconception. Sure the trail is remote but it's a super well marked trail, nobody is getting lost on the PCT. (Well, most people aren't anyway) No matter how good your navigation skills are anyway, you can still fall. That's why most people (including myself) carry a device. Not everyone hikes with friends or partners. There's a lot of washed out areas of trail and if you've never been on the PCT in some of the remote areas you don't understand the sketchiness of some of the ridgelines or the steepness combined with scree. Not to mention snow and ice. If you fall a couple hundred feet below the trail and break your leg, you're gonna be glad for your "little button" - and this can happen to literally anyone, even the most experienced backcountry adventurer (see: Aron Ralston) The thing about the PCT or any long trail is you're not talking about a week backpacking trip, you're going 20 miles through backcountry every single day for months - the chances of something happening to you go up infinitiely just from the time spent on trail. It's very easy to get tired, bored, and lose your focus especially if you're bonking - and accidents happen every year regardless of someone's wilderness navigation abilities. "If you can't hike out in the wilderness without it then you don't deserve to" is incredibly arrogant. Most of us can (and have been) hike in the wilderness our entire lives - I'm in my 40s so you better damn believe the majority of my time spent in the backcountry did not include a tiny GPS device and I know I can survive (and thrive) without one - but when it exists and I'm commiting months of my life and thousands and thousands of dollars to accomplishing such a huge adventure, why WOULDNT you take it? Do you think sailors who attempt solo ocean crossings should do it without satellite navigation or beacons? Or does your same rule of "if you need technology to do it then you don't deserve to do it" apply to them too?

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

@@dustyoldhat I don’t think I can add any more to that. Perfectly said.

[@2ozfs]

I wish I would have taken a sun umbrella through the desert section of the PCT last year!

[@justinhitsthetrail5225]

The umbrella is still the undecided piece of gear. I want the extra shade, but it’s also pretty windy isn’t it?

[@dustyoldhat]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225 there's sections that are extremely windy like coming down fuller ridge under I-10 and then up into the San Bernardino Mtns... but there's also some really hot still sections. i left may 17 and it was hot the whole desert, i didn't have an umbrella, just a hat and sun hoodie and i was fine. i would soak my buff and wear it around my neck, it acted like an evaporative cooler. the only people i knew who had umbrellas ended up leaving them in hiker boxes

[@2ozfs]

@@justinhitsthetrail5225 makes sense... although there was plenty of wind in the desert, I did experience many flat days of no wind and pure sun. So I think it's worth it