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The Trek: I Thru-Hiked the PCT Without These Items — and Regretted It
In this post, I’ll break down all the gear I wish I’d had in each section, and why.
The Trek: I Thru-Hiked the PCT Without These Items — and Regretted It
Last updated:
March 2, 2026
| 5 min read
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In this post, I’ll break down all the gear I wish I’d had in each section, and why.
Read more about the projectThe Trek: I Thru-Hiked the PCT Without These Items — and Regretted It
I Thru-Hiked the PCT Without These Items — and Regretted It
When I started the Pacific Crest Trail at Campo, I was confident I had everything I needed to make it to Canada. I’d spent months refining my LighterPack and leaned on gear that had served me well on the Appalachian Trail and Arizona Trail. I also knew that, worst case, I could buy what I needed along the way.
Yet despite everything, once on trail I discovered that there were multiple items I wished I’d brought along. Each section of the PCT presented challenges I hadn’t fully anticipated. I finished the trail without these items, but I spent plenty of miles wishing I had them.
Continue reading to learn more about gear needed for hiking the PCT, written by Anna McKinney Smith.
Anna McKinney Smith
Anna is from western North Carolina and grew up romping through hollers and hills.
I Thru-Hiked the PCT Without These Items — and Regretted It
When I started the Pacific Crest Trail at Campo, I was confident I had everything I needed to make it to Canada. I’d spent months refining my LighterPack and leaned on gear that had served me well on the Appalachian Trail and Arizona Trail. I also knew that, worst case, I could buy what I needed along the way.
Yet despite everything, once on trail I discovered that there were multiple items I wished I’d brought along. Each section of the PCT presented challenges I hadn’t fully anticipated. I finished the trail without these items, but I spent plenty of miles wishing I had them.
Continue reading to learn more about gear needed for hiking the PCT, written by Anna McKinney Smith.
Anna McKinney Smith
Anna is from western North Carolina and grew up romping through hollers and hills.
I Thru-Hiked the PCT Without These Items — and Regretted It
When I started the Pacific Crest Trail at Campo, I was confident I had everything I needed to make it to Canada. I’d spent months refining my LighterPack and leaned on gear that had served me well on the Appalachian Trail and Arizona Trail. I also knew that, worst case, I could buy what I needed along the way.
Yet despite everything, once on trail I discovered that there were multiple items I wished I’d brought along. Each section of the PCT presented challenges I hadn’t fully anticipated. I finished the trail without these items, but I spent plenty of miles wishing I had them.
Continue reading to learn more about gear needed for hiking the PCT, written by Anna McKinney Smith.
Anna McKinney Smith
Anna is from western North Carolina and grew up romping through hollers and hills.
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