Continental Divide Trail Thru Hike Gear List - Shawn
OVERVIEW
This is my (Shawn) planned starting CDT Gear List for our upcoming 2024 attempt at a CDT Thru Hike. After completing a successful thru hike of the PCT in 2018 I’ve got a pretty good idea what works for me and what does not. As you’ll see below I’ve updated some, but not all, of my gear. In fact some of the gear I’m taking is the exact same that I took on the PCT which really tells you how robust it is!
THE BIG 3 (4)
I include the sleeping pad in this category. Butters and I split the tent weight (I take the tent and fly, she takes the poles and stakes)
Pack: HMG Unbound 55 w/HMG Shoulder Pocket (31.6oz)
Update: This pack failed me. The hip belt completely tore away from the pack. Went back to my trusted ULA Circuit
Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 (29.6oz)
Update: This is the newer version of this tent which is less robust than the old version we carried on the PCT. The stakes and the corner fly clips are cheap and poor quality. We broke a stake and a corner clip in the first week on the CDT! Will probably go with a Durston tent in the future.
Sleeping Quilt: Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 (18.8oz)
Update: I’m a hot sleeper so I thought this would be enough as it’s what I used on the PCT but next time I’d probably go with a 10 degree version with a sewn footbox
Sleeping Pad: Thermarest NeoAir Xlite (12.6oz)
Total for Big 3: 5lbs 12.6oz
Notes:
I’m taking the same quilt and sleeping pad that I had on the PCT. The tent is also the same, albeit an updated version (which as mentioned I actually don’t like as much as the old one!).
A tent with 2 doors and 2 vestibules is key to a happy marriage
PACKED CLOTHES
I wear the same clothes to hike in and sleep in so I really don’t carry much extra other than rain gear and some layers.
Rain Shell Top: Montbell Versalite (6.2oz)
Rain Shell Bottom: Z-Packs Vertice (2.9oz)
Fleece: Farpointe Alpha Cruiser 90 (4.4oz)
Thermal Bottom: Senchi Designs Alpha Legging 90 (3.1oz)
Warm Jacket: Montbell Plasma 1000 (8.95oz)
Warm Hat: I just use a Merino UV Buff (1.6oz)
Gloves: Montbell Windstopper (1.85oz)
Camp Shoes: Birkenstock Airizona EVA (6.7oz)
Total for Packed Clothes: 2lbs 3.7oz
Notes:
Everything in this list is new to me for the CDT. I changed out my Outdoor Research rain gear for Montbell/Zpacks for higher breathability.
I run pretty hot so I ditched my old down beanie for just a buff and will use my sun shirt/fleece/down jacket hoods to layer as needed.
I picked up the Montbell jacket as my old MH Ghost Whisperer is getting pretty beat up (but still usable for shorter distance and I still love it!).
I didn’t need a fleece on the PCT but am happy to bring a lightweight Polartech Alpha version for the CDT.
The gloves and camp shoes I had on the PCT were just cheap and so replaced them with new ones for this trip.
WATER/COOKING
On the PCT I started with cooking gear and eded up ditching it in favor of cold soaking for the latter half of the trail. As we may see more severe weather on the CDT, I’m planning to at least start with a full hot cook setup. We’ll see how it goes. It’s pretty nice to have a hot meal when it’s freezing or raining. The entire setup still only weighs just over a pound.
Water Bottles: Two Smartwater 1L Bottles (2.8oz)
Water Filter: Platypus Quickdraw (2.25oz)
Dirty Water Reservoir: CNOC 2L (3oz)
Food Bag: Z-Packs Bear Bag (1.6oz)
Cook Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket (2.6oz)
Cook Pot: Snow Peak 700 Ti (4.5oz)
Utensil: Toaks Titanium Spork (0.4oz)
Small Personal Towel: Packtowl Personal Face Towel (.65oz)
Lighter: Mini Bic (0.8oz)
Cook Gear Stuff Sack: Z-Packs Dyneema Sack (0.14oz)
Total for Cooking Gear and Water: 1lb 2.74oz
Notes:
Using the same food bag, cook pot, utensil, personal towel, and stuff sack as I used on the PCT. I replaced my old OG version of the CNOC bag for a Vector X version. Also decided to go with Platypus for the water filter over Sawyer this time around as it’s reported to have a better flow rate.
ELECTRONICS
I am still a techie but trying to digital detox as much as possible. While I’ve been traveling with a full mirrorless camera setup for awhile, I am definitely not planning to hike with that weight.
I will still use my iPhone for most everything (pictures/video, GPS/apps, podcasts/music, Instagram etc.) and just back up to the cloud.
Camera/Do Everything Device: iPhone 15 Pro Max w/case (9.65oz)
Battery Pack: Nitecore NB10000 (5.35oz)
Wall Charger: Anker 735 Nano II (4.35oz)
USB Charging Cables: 2x USBC [phone/battery pack], Micro USB [headlamp], Garmin, Shokz (2.5oz)
Headlamp: Petzl Actik Core (3.1oz)
Headphones: Shokz Open Run Pro (.95oz)
Save Me Device: Garmin InReach Mini (Butters Carries)
Total for Electronics: 1lb 9.9oz
Notes:
Swapped out my Anker battery pack for Nitecore and have a slightly heavier (but faster charging) Anker wall charger since electronics require more juice these days. Going with wireless headphones this time vs the wired Apple ones I took last time. The battery on the Shokz seem to last a long time and doesn’t require much to recharge.
ESSENTIALS
Everyone brings their own luxury items. For me, having something to sit/lay on during breaks and having a good pillow are essential for morale.
Knife: Swiss Army Waiter (1.2oz)
Sit/Lay Pad: Exped FlexMat (11.3oz)
Pillow: Zpacks Pillow Stuff Sack (1.4oz)
Update: While this may work for some people, it just didn’t work for me. Went back to my trusty Feathered Friends Down Pillow
Total for Essentials: 13.9oz
Notes:
I swapped out the ultralight Gerber knife that I took on the PCT for an equally ultralight Swiss Army knife. I like having a bottle opener and a corkscrew. On the PCT we actually did once come across someone who had a bottle of wine and we didn’t have a corkscrew!
Some will say that taking a foam pad and an inflatable pad is overkill, but to me it is worth the extra weight. I love having something to sit or lay down on during breaks and at the end of the day yet I cannot sleep on just a foam pad at night. Basically this is my luxury item.
Full length pad is crucial for end of the day tanning sessions
TOILETRIES
Not much to say here, just a few things to keep relatively clean and groomed while out on the trail. We pick up stuff in towns as needed to clean up more.
Small Toothbrush: Colgate Travel (0.5oz)
Toothpaste: Crest Pro Health .85oz (1oz)
Hand Sanitizer: Purell (1.2oz)
Lip Balm: Sunbum Mango SPF30 (0.4oz)
Nail Clippers: Basic Lightweight Clippers (0.9oz)
Medical Kit: Bandaids | Leukotape | Tylenol | Antibiotic/Chaff Creams (1.4oz)
Total For Toiletries: 5.4oz
WHAT I’M WEARING
If you’re looking out for me on the trail, here’s what I’ll be wearing. Items here not included in base weight.
Hat: Athletic Trucker Cap from Flagstaff Climbing
Sunglasses: Ombraz Viale
Shirt: Beyond Clothing Geo-T Hoody
Shorts: Brooks Sherpa 5”
Socks: Darn Tough Microcrew Length Running (note: running, not hiking socks. For me it’s too hot for thick hiking socks)
Gaiters: Dirty Girl Day of the Dirt
Shoes: Altra Lone Peak
Watch: Garmin Fenix 8
Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles
Notes:
I’ve been hiking in the same gear for almost 8 years now. I’m switching some of it up for the CDT. Yes, I’ve practiced with all of this gear already.
I learned about Ombraz sunglasses from a guy who was wearing them on our Arctic Svalbard expedition. It must have been a sign because not long after I lost a pair of sunglasses during a freak windstorm hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim. I think they will serve me well for the CDT, they are very comfortable!
Beyond Clothing makes hardcore gear for the military. They appeared on my radar as they offer a nice veteran’s discount. I took a chance on their sun hoody and I’m really digging it! It’s super soft, breathable, stretchy, and has UPF 50 protection. Since I sleep in what I hike in, comfort is important to me and this fits the bill. Side note: I also bought some of their Bask L1 Base Layers (not for the trail) made from Polartech Powergrid and they are sooooo comfortable.
I’m brining my Garmin Fenix 8 watch this time as I’ve done the math and I think I can reasonably track every day and recharge with my charging brick and top up in towns. Would be cool to see all those stats at the end of the trail.
Using the same socks (Darn Tough for life!), gaiters, and shoes as I did on the PCT. I thought about switching to Topo Athletic shoes as everyone seems to be doing and I still might, but as of now the Altra Lone Peaks are still easier to get/replace on the trail as needed.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So it’s looking like my base weight this time around will be about 12 pounds which is a pound or two under what I took for the PCT and a pretty solid lightweight setup while still letting me have a couple of comfort items. I’m confident in my gear choices and will be fun to see what, if anything, I swap out this time around.
If you have any questions or want to know more about any of the gear on this list, feel free to shoot me a message!
