Darwin’s 2018- PCT Thru-Hike

Pack
ZPacks Arc Blast-  https://zpacks.com/products/arc-blast-backpack?aff=7
W/ Shoulder Pouch – https://zpacks.com/products/shoulder-pouch?aff=7

Shoulder Water Bottle Holder

Shelter
ZPacks Duplex Tent- https://zpacks.com/products/duplex-tent?aff=7

8 Ti Shepherd Hook Stakes – https://zpacks.com/products/6-5-titanium-hook-stake-w-red-head?aff=7

Sleep System
EE Enigma 20 Quilt – https://bit.ly/37b1iSs

ThermaRest Neo Air (Long) – http://amzn.to/2nSABeB

Sea to Summit Aeros UL Pillow – https://amzn.to/2Ha13c1

Goosefeet Gear Down Socks – https://goosefeetgear.com/products/down-socks/

Cook System
BRS UL Stove – http://amzn.to/2snl8rw

Vargo Ti 700 BOT – https://www.vargooutdoors.com/titanium-bot-bottle-pot.html

Sea to Summit Spork – https://amzn.to/2GWYvjA

Bic Mini Lighter – http://amzn.to/2Bnzyeb

Zpacks Cuben Food Bag (w/line)- https://zpacks.com/products/bear-bagging-kit?aff=7

Water Filtration
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter – http://amzn.to/2G4aiZo

3 – 1L Disposable Bottles

1 – Cnoc Vecto Water Container – https://amzn.to/2JRNEtb

Electronics
UCO Air Headlamp (Modified) – http://amzn.to/2sp0RBQ

Anker PowerCore 10000 Charger – http://amzn.to/2xtBijq

Canon G7X Mark ii – http://amzn.to/2xnpSMt

UltraPod Tripod – https://amzn.to/2Eklksd

Iphone 7 Plus –http://amzn.to/2G1dzIM

Apple SD Card Reader – https://amzn.to/2GRAWbY

Various Charging Cables

Clothes
Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket –  https://zpacks.com/products/vertice-rain-jacket?aff=7

EE Torrid APEX Jacket – https://bit.ly/3a13Pkf

EE Wind Pants – https://bit.ly/3mclwjb

Ice Breaker Merino Wool T – http://amzn.to/2smmmmP

Hand Knitted Beanie

Zpacks Vertice Rain Mitts – https://zpacks.com/products/vertice-rain-mitts?aff=7

OR Liner Gloves – http://amzn.to/2CbzJ95

Darn Tough Socks – http://amzn.to/2Ex7mXZ

Clothes Worn
Columbia SilverRidge Lite LS Shirt – http://amzn.to/2ocpLAv

Nike Pro Running Shorts – http://amzn.to/2wH3KQ8

Nike Pro HyperWarm Tights – http://amzn.to/2Cc4NW6

UV Buff – https://amzn.to/2JkUiEQ

Mesh Back Hat

Darn Tough Socks – http://amzn.to/2wMlULm

Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Shoes – http://amzn.to/2xWDNfC

Dirty Girl Gaiters – dirtygirlgaiters.com

Other

Cnoc Vertex Carbon Cork Trekking Poles (Modified) – http://amzn.to/2EVMoQnZ

ZPacks Ditty Bag – https://zpacks.com/products/small-dry-bag?aff=7

Leuko Tape (wrapped around Poles) – http://amzn.to/2src0CgSpyderco

Knife – http://amzn.to/2wHxmwZ

Deuce of Spades Trowel – http://amzn.to/2EhAV0p

SMD Silver Shadow Solar Umbrella – https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/products/silver-shadow

OR Active Ice Sun Gloves – https://amzn.to/2uRbmiK

Small First Aid Kit

Chapstick Joshua Tree Sun Stick SPF 50 – https://amzn.to/2GU9ny

Toothbrush w/ Paste

TP (Shit Tickets)

Sierra Gear: 

Bear Canister: BearVault BV 450 – https://www.amazon.com/BearVault-Resistant-Canister

Ice Axe: Camp Corsa – https://www.amazon.com/CAMP-Corsa-Ice-Axe-Green

Micro Spikes: https://www.amazon.com/Kahtoola-MICROspikes

New Gear For The Last 500 Miles:

Pack: Waymark Thru-40L 

Shoes: Altra Olympus 3.0 – https://www.amazon.com/Altra-AFM1859F-Mens

Filter: Katadyn BeFree 1.0L – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075X5R67T

(DISCLAIMER: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, WHICH MEANS THAT IF YOU CLICK ON ONE OF THE PRODUCT LINKS, I’LL RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. THIS HELPS SUPPORT THE CHANNEL/WEBSITE AND ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE TO MAKE CONTENT LIKE THIS. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!)

47 thoughts on “Darwin’s 2018- PCT Thru-Hike

  1. My Scout Troop is hiking the PCT from Warner Springs to the Eagle Rock. It was cool to see you pass Eagle Rock in your first video. Thanks for all the information and the videos.

  2. Love watching! Looks like you are have a great trip. Question, what brand of sun glasses do you wear? Are they prescription?

  3. Hi Darwin- Been following you for a while and really enjoy your videos. I have a question, could you do a video (or respond here) on how you manage your videos/pictures while on trail and uploading content. I love taking pictures with my phone, and I’ve run into storage issues in the past. thanks ahead of time. You rock!

  4. Hey darwin,

    What is the shoulder water bottle holder you mentioned in your list?

  5. Hey Alexander! That is a water bottle that is made just by a dude. He does sell them via his Facebook account however I’ll need to touch base with Darwin on the dude’s contact info. Sorry! – Snuggles

  6. I have just found your videos and website. Awesome stuff! Do you have a list of what you carry in your ditty bag? Would really love some information!

    Chad Chatham
    678-707-3181

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  9. Hey guys, I love the information you put on here and the trail experience you guys share. Awesome job!

    Question on Darwin’s PTC shelter: How has the single wall design faired during rainy times on the trail, particularly during 24 hour periods or consecutive days of rain? Any issues with the inside getting wet when packing it, then being unable to dry it out?

    Z-packs is a great company, and there gear in just as great! But living (and hiking) in MN, we have quite a bit of rain in the spring and summer. So I have some reservations about single wall vs. double wall tents in this regard.

    Thank you in advance! Have a safe journey!

  10. Hey Michael! Darwin is planning on doing a full review of all his gear post hike​. Thus far I have heard no complaints on th​e tent from him, but again he will be breaking everything down when he finishes! – Snuggles

  11. In a recent video, Darwin has an ice axe and crampons – which ones? Asking for a friend 😀

  12. Hey Jeffreyyeah! I’ll have to look into this…I know for sure Darwin will being doing a post gear review on this gear but as of right now, I don’t have the answer. – Snuggles

  13. Just wondering what leg covering you use. I’m looking from something to protect from UV and insects (I live in KY and ticks & chiggers are bad!). Notice you wear some in videos, but don’t see them listed here. I hate pants and would like something I can slip on and off as needed. I enjoy watching and learning from your video’s. Good Luck on the Trail.

    -Joe

  14. Hey Joe! So those are Zensah Compression Leg Sleeves (helps the muscles). He picked them up during this hike due to an injury which is why they are not on the gear list. I have no idea if they make them to prevent UV rays or bugs. Here is a link if you want to check them out.. – Snuggles
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002U2NKM6?aaxitk=s909cklJ–2yOfo2aK8PoQ&pd_rd_i=B002U2NKM6&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3930100107420870094&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=zensah+compression+leg+sleeve&hsa_cr_id=9423131200501

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  17. I just watched the latest video and was thinking about Darwin’s fall onto his tailbone. I studied Aikido for a number of years and one of the few things I remember is how to fall safely. It could be worth signing up for a couple of classes of Aikido, Judo, or Jiu-Jutsu, or even asking a teacher to just show you how to break-fall. You’d need to practice for a little bit to get the muscle memory, but it would take a bit of the fear out of slippery descents and the like.
    Keep doing what you do, you good people!
    Dave Capaldi

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  21. I’ve really enjoyed watching your PCT vids, thanks for taking the time to do them.
    Question- where do you carry your Vargo Bot? Can it fit in your ZPacks side pocket? I was hoping to use mine as my second water container as I need one wide mouthed container for my Steripen but the Vargo is a bit wider than my originally used Nalgene bottle so doesn’t fit well in my Circuit or in the Granite Gear pack I also tried. Of course it fits perfect in my old heavy Deuter.
    Thanks for any advice (or if anyone else knows of a biger side pocket lightweight women’s pack as i’m in the market for one)

  22. Darwin, congrats on completing your hike, and thanks for all the inspiration! I’m wondering if you have any thoughts on the Cnoc Vertex Carbon Cork Trekking Poles that you’d like to share. IIRC they failed at some point, but it doesn’t seem like indestructible trekking poles are a thing.

  23. Hey Carol! I just packed mine in the inside of my pack, but I just used it for food, not drinking. I am however pretty sure that it should fit in the side pocket of a Zpacks pack….

    Hike On,
    Darwin

  24. Hi Darwin/Snuggles
    I’m an old guy (i’ll be 64 when I start the PCT in 2020). I know the chance of injury can throw any future plans to meet on the trail out of wack, but I,m going to chance meeting with some home-town Boy Scouts in Oregon around Three Sisters wilderness on a guesimated date. It’s easy to say i’ll average 20 miles a day, & throw in a zero every 8 days or so, but what has me worried is how elevations will really impact my guesswork. Is Guthook the best resource for giving me daily elevation data?

  25. Hey Dave! I found it to be pretty sufficient on judging elevation. I’m sure there are other resources as well, but yes, Guthook will be very helpful!

    Hike On,
    Darwin

  26. Hey guys I left a comment yesterday but it doesn’t seem to be there anymore. I was wondering about the Blitzwolf 9000 and if you are using it or the Anker 10000 as it is listed on the gear lists. I thought you were going to use it on your PCT hike . Thanks

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  28. Thanks, I just watched the final gear list video yesterday and will check out the post trip one. Do you mention why you chose the Anker over the Blitzwolf in the post video?
    Thanks

  29. I’m preparing for the 2019 season and I’m currently researching packs. I have my eye on the ZPacks, but I see you traded the pack out on the trail near the end. Was there a reason for the switch? And what pack would you recommend for the trail?
    Thank you🤙🏻

  30. Hey Josh! I just switched out a few pieces of gear to try out some new stuff, No other reason. If you would like, just shoot me an email with any gear questions and I’ll be able to respond in detail better there!

    Hike On,
    Darwin

  31. Hi!

    Must be some problems somewhere, my comments never seem show up, and it was a long time ago I wrote the first time. Hopefully it works now.

    I’d like to know how it’s possible to charge the electronics along the trail? I would have thought a solar charger would be used, but there isn’t one in the list. Is it really enough electricity and power outlets along the trail to keep phone, camera and so on charged? But I also don’t see any “normal” charger in the list, if the power bank doesn’t double as that maybe?

    All the best, Johan

  32. Hey Johan! Some hikers do carry solar charges on the trail however I do not. I would utilize town stops to charge things but I did carry the Anker PowerCore 10000 Charger which worked for charging items with out on trail when needed.

    Hike On,
    Darwin

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