Continental Divide Trail Thru Hike Gear List - Shawn

Written By 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)

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 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.

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) SEE AT REI

  • Dirty Water Reservoir: CNOC 2L (3oz) SEE AT CNOC

  • Food Bag: Z-Packs Bear Bag (1.6oz) SEE AT ZPACKS

  • Cook Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket (2.6oz) SEE AT REI

  • Cook Pot: Snow Peak 700 Ti (4.5oz) SEE AT REI

  • Utensil: Toaks Titanium Spork (0.4oz) SEE AT REI

  • Small Personal Towel: Packtowl Personal Face Towel (.65oz) SEE AT REI

  • Lighter: Mini Bic (0.8oz) SEE AT AMAZON

  • 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) SEE AT AMAZON

  • Wall Charger: Anker 735 Nano II (4.35oz) SEE AT AMAZON

  • USB Charging Cables: 2x USBC [phone/battery pack], Micro USB [headlamp], Garmin, Shokz (2.5oz)

  • Headlamp: Petzl Actik Core (3.1oz) SEE AT REI

  • Headphones: Shokz Open Run Pro (.95oz) SEE AT REI

  • Save Me Device: Garmin InReach Mini (Butters Carries) SEE AT REI

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.

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.

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.

The Vuori Kore shorts are my only unknown with all of my gear. I have religiously hiked in Brooks Sherpa running shorts for as long as I can remember. Recently though I’ve been getting some chafe from the brief liners of those and the new version has a super thick waistband that soaks up and holds sweat. The Vuori shorts have a small, soft, boxer type liner and a thin waistband which I’m hoping will be better. I will have a pair of Brooks on standby at home just in case.

I picked up the Evadict trekking poles back when we thru hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc. They are much lighter than my previous Black Diamond Carbon Cork adjustable poles and considerably (re: half price) cheaper. A nice alternative to the very popular but more expensive Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z.

I’m brining my Garmin running 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!

Shawn

explorer | photo taker

https://wanderinthru.com
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