The Trek: Packing for a Thru-Hike: My Real PCT Gear Experience (Part One)

This is my full breakdown of everything I carried on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025.

The Trek: Packing for a Thru-Hike: My Real PCT Gear Experience (Part One)

Last updated:
December 15, 2025
|  5 min read
A person standing on a mountain.

The Trek: Packing for a Thru-Hike: My Real PCT Gear Experience (Part One)

The Trek: Packing for a Thru-Hike: My Real PCT Gear Experience (Part One)

YouTube video highlight

This is my full breakdown of everything I carried on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025.

Watch video

The Trek: Packing for a Thru-Hike: My Real PCT Gear Experience (Part One)

Hakuna vipengee vilivyopatikana.

Packing for a Thru-Hike: My Real PCT Gear Experience (Part One)

I spent months researching gear lists, watching thru-hike videos, and second-guessing every single item. But nothing prepares you quite like living outside for 171 days. Some pieces became vital, others got sent home fast, and a few were swapped out as the trail changed around me. I adapted my necessities depending on the weather, how light I wanted to be, and whether I truly needed a certain item.

This is my full breakdown of everything I carried on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025. From the “Big 4” to clothes, water, cooking, electronics, hygiene, and Sierra snow gear, here’s what actually worked for me and what didn’t survive the journey.

Continue reading to learn more about packing for a thru-hike on the PCT, written by Ranger.

The Trek: Packing for a Thru-Hike: My Real PCT Gear Experience (Part One)

Packing for a Thru-Hike: My Real PCT Gear Experience (Part One)

I spent months researching gear lists, watching thru-hike videos, and second-guessing every single item. But nothing prepares you quite like living outside for 171 days. Some pieces became vital, others got sent home fast, and a few were swapped out as the trail changed around me. I adapted my necessities depending on the weather, how light I wanted to be, and whether I truly needed a certain item.

This is my full breakdown of everything I carried on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025. From the “Big 4” to clothes, water, cooking, electronics, hygiene, and Sierra snow gear, here’s what actually worked for me and what didn’t survive the journey.

Continue reading to learn more about packing for a thru-hike on the PCT, written by Ranger.

Mwandishi wa Blogu ya Picha
Hiker
Ranger
I'm Myllene aka “Ranger”, and I am currently hiking the PCT.
Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

The Trek: Packing for a Thru-Hike: My Real PCT Gear Experience (Part One)

Packing for a Thru-Hike: My Real PCT Gear Experience (Part One)

I spent months researching gear lists, watching thru-hike videos, and second-guessing every single item. But nothing prepares you quite like living outside for 171 days. Some pieces became vital, others got sent home fast, and a few were swapped out as the trail changed around me. I adapted my necessities depending on the weather, how light I wanted to be, and whether I truly needed a certain item.

This is my full breakdown of everything I carried on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025. From the “Big 4” to clothes, water, cooking, electronics, hygiene, and Sierra snow gear, here’s what actually worked for me and what didn’t survive the journey.

Continue reading to learn more about packing for a thru-hike on the PCT, written by Ranger.

Mwandishi wa Blogu ya Picha
Hiker
Ranger
I'm Myllene aka “Ranger”, and I am currently hiking the PCT.
Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari
browse all articles
Hapa kwenye Sawyer
September 27, 2021
6 Min
Mashariki ya Chini: Mwanariadha wa Ultra-Athlete Katie Spotz Baiskeli maili 360 kote Maine
Read More
Explore more content

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

We’ve used this filter for over 800 miles in the backcountry and it’s still the best option for clean drinking water.

Brett Kretzer
Brett Kretzer
Adventurer. Writer. Creator.

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Squeeze Water Filtration System by Sawyer

Garage Kukua Gear
Media Mentions from Garage Grown Gear

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

This popular repellent from Sawyer has 20% Picaridin, which protects against a wide range of insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, chiggers and sand flies.

Amylia Ryan
Associate Editor
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory