Groucho and I hike separately for much of each day, so for the most part we each carry our own kit. Below is an overview of the basics for a thru hike (based on what we carried for our 2015 PCT SOBO.) I first list shared items, which Groucho and I tend to trade off. You can find our reviews for many of these items/systems by searching our “gear” category.
With all this – Groucho’s base weight is usually about 10 lbs without food and water. Mine reaches about 12 lbs because I am a cold person and carry more layers and heavier quilts.
SHARED GEAR (SPLIT UP BETWEEN US)
SHELTER
Ray-way tarp tent
titanium tent stakes
SHARED FOOD SYSTEM (ONLY USED IN COLDER SECTIONS)
canister stove
propane fuel
bic mini lighter
1.89 ltr cook pot with lid
homemade coozie for pot
cook system stow bag
bear canister (only in required areas from Mammoth to Bishop)
FIRST AID
antibiotic lotion
4×4 gauze pads
bandages
Neproxin
medical tape
super glue
nitrile gloves
butterfly bandages
Anti-diarrhea pills
Benadryl
antiseptic towelettes
cough and congestion suppresent
gauze
tic key
1 large, 1 small safety pins
FOOT CARE
spenco secondskin
GoldBond powder
bandaids
waterproof medical tape
REPAIR/SEWING KIT
darning needle
small needle
duct tape
EMERGENCY FIRE KIT
1/2 book matches
1/3 birthday candle
LINK TO GROUCHO’S FULL KIT (with weights listed!)
HERE’S HARPO’S KIT IN DETAIL (no weights listed)
PACK
Gossamer Gear Gorilla Ultralight back pack from 2014
trash compactor bag or a cheap pack liner
WATER SYSTEM
steri-pen
2 1L SmartWater bottles (the most water ever carried was 6 liters in desert and in Southern Oregon…)
CLOTHING WORN
New Balance Trail Running shoes
Darntough socks
Sportsbra
Capri-length patagonia synthetic running pants
White, long-sleeved Ex-Officio shirt (men’s)
FOOD SYSTEM
peanut butter jar (for cold hydrating in OR and WA)
bamboo spoon
OPSAK (oder-barrier, waterproof, huge ziplock for food storage)
here is an article that influenced my decision to use opsak
Medium Ziplock for daily snacks to carry outside Opsak each day
CLOTHING CARRIED ACCESSIBLY FOR LAYERING DURING THE DAY
Patagonia Houdini shell pants
Patagonia Houdini shell jacket (men’s)
Icebreaker 150 baselayer shirt
Homemade smock (large men’s fleece sweatshirt that I cut the back out of to wear while hiking with pack on)
water-wicking synthetic gloves
free-box sun glasses
buff
bandana
large ziplock (to stow the above items in the case of rain)
Dry duck rain jacket (never ever used this on my 2015 hike)
OTHER GEAR CARRIED ACCESSIBLY
Petersheadnets head net
Petzl e+LITE Headlamp
Cheapo led flashlight from hardwear store
HYGIENE / MINI FIRST AID
Child-sized toothbrush
mini toothpaste
mini-sunscreen
lip balm
alleve
mini Goldbond
a couple bandaids
a couple of hairbands
2 tiny tampons
BATHROOM KIT
Deuce of spades
dr bronners soap
hand sanitizer
baby wipes (1 per day)
SLEEP SYSTEM (stowed at bottom of pack in trash compactor bag to stay dry)
Mountain Laurel Designs Bivy
Mountain Laurel Designs 28 degree quilt
Thermarest NeoAir xLite Torso Length pad
Gossamer Gear foam pad
Backpack – Placed under my feet to elevate swollen feet and compensate for torso-Length pad.
Stuff sack with clothes – As a pillow Or between my legs Or to insulate my feet more
WARM CLOTHING FOR SLEEP (stowed at bottom of pack in trash compactor bag to stay dry)
Patagonia synth puff jacket
Homemade fleece hat
Homemade fleece booties
Smartwool 250 baselayer pants
extra socks (smartwool or darn tough)
ZIPLOCK WITH TOWN ITEMS (kept in bottom of pack)
cash for hitches
bank card
id
external battery (goal zero brand) for extra phone or steri pen charge
cables for steri-pen, phone and an external battery
mini tarot deck
Field Notes journal
Hideout pen
OTHER
Ice Axe (Wa only)
Microspikes (Wa only but didn’t need in low snow year)
GPS (Wa only but didn’t use)
Wrong Way Gang 