Feet in the opening of a tent
Feet in the opening of a tent

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: The Gear I Used and Why

It was somewhat easy for me to decide to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. But a gigantic hurdle before me was the gear needed for the trip. Here was my — a beginner's — approach.

I am not an ultralight-gear fanatic. I wasn’t an experienced backpacker when I set out. Shockingly, I wasn’t someone with a plan. I was just someone with a passion, and a serious need to get away from my darkness and into the light of the wilderness.

Here is the gear that I used on my hike along the Pacific Crest Trail from head to toe, day and night. Yes, there’s lots of great gear out there, so how did this gear make the cut?

Through a combination of trial and error, a few handouts, some work ethic, and downright beginner’s luck. And I didn’t need to save thousands of dollars to purchase them, or research high and low, or obsess about ounces and tag-cutting. I did quite the opposite in fact. I somewhat closed my eyes and hoped for the best. And somehow it got me to the monument. Here’s how this process can get you there, too!

Read the entire list of gear that Sean Jansen used here.

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Freelance Writer
Sean Jansen

Sean Jansen est écrivain indépendant et guide saisonnier dans le parc national de Yellowstone. En dehors de sa saison de guide, il participe à une multitude d'expéditions allant de la randonnée sur le Pacific Crest Trail à son dernier voyage, la descente de la péninsule de Baja au Mexique en standup paddle. Après s'être rétabli de l'alcoolisme, il a déménagé dans un van et passe son temps à pêcher des truites à la mouche, à s'entraîner pour des ultramarathons et à chercher sur la côte des vagues non surfées. Passionné par la nature et les endroits sauvages, il emporte souvent son stylo et son papier en voyage et cherche des moyens pour que les activités de loisirs de plein air qu'il aime puissent contribuer à la conservation et aux zones environnementales qui en ont besoin.

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It all starts with Sawyer Squeeze + Cnoc VectoX 2L, the best and most reliable filter-bladder combo and the core of my backpacking water storage and filtration system.

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Our top water filter for thru hiking, the Sawyer Squeeze, is 15% off.

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