by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
I have a PERMIT for 523.0 miles from Idyllwild to Kennedy Meadows South in California.
Starting May 26, 2026.
I’m hoping to survive for at least 14 days of that. 
GEAR should be as light as possible.
Of course there will be resupply food and plenty of water to carry, as well.
For this particular adventure, my priorities are …
- Staying Hydrated
- Foot Care
- Avoiding Heat Emergencies
I’m trying a hiking umbrella for the first time. Plan to switch between shoes & socks several times each day. I once had to quit another section of the PCT due to blisters.
Sleeping
- MSR Hubba NX Tent
- 2x NeoAir UberLite Sleeping Pads (one is a pillow)
- Mattress Glue
- Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
Walking
- Hyperlite Unbound 55 Backpack
- Iceline Trekking Poles
Clothing
- Janji Transit Tech Pant
- Red Sun Hoodie
- Swift Ultra Light Cap
- Swift Ulta Light Cap (long brim)
- Icebreaker Wool Blend t-shirt black
- North Ridge t-shirt blue
- red Nike quick dry t-shirt
- Hiking Shoe 1 – Altra
- Hiking Shoe 2 – New Balance
- Socks wool – medium x 2 Danish Endurance
- Sock liners wool – medium x 3 Danish Endurance
- Running shorts x 3
- Black summer Buff
- Black winter Buff
- Clip-on Sunglasses
- Frogg Toggs Rain Jacket
- Helly Hansen Red Hooded Puffy
Eating & Drinking
- PocketRocket Deluxe Stove
- Fuel
- Long lighters x 2
- Titan Kettle
- Pot scrubber
- GSI mug / bowl
- Metal Spoon
- Microfibre cloth for clean-ups
- Water Bottles (up to 8 litres)
- Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
- Water Purification Tablets – Package of 30
Electronics
- Red Stuff Sack or zip lock?
- iPhone 16 Pro & cable
- FarOut PCT app (navigation)
- EarPods & cable
- iPhone 17 Pro Max & cable (camera)
- ULANZI MT-33 Phone Tripod
- USB-C storage for phone
- Neo 2 Drone
- Powerbank(s)
Ditty Bag
- Green Stuff sack
- Fingernail clippers
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Tweezers (ticks)
- Prescriptions
- Aspirin
- Antacid
- Vitamin Gummies
- Creatine Gummies
- Sunscreen
- Hands Sanitizer
- Wilderness Wipes
- Toilet Paper
- Bandaids
- Denture tablets
- Duct tape
- Athletic tape
Other
- Hip Pack
- 2 Credit cards & bank card
- Cash
- 16L Matador ReFraction Packable Backpack
- Six Moon Designs – Silver Shadow Carbon Trekking Umbrella
- Gossamer Gear – Handsfree Umbrella Clamp
- AirTags
- Waterproof Passport Case & Passport
- Paper Maps
- Garbage Bag (green for dirties)
- Garbage Bag (clear for clean)
- 55 Gallon Garden Trash Bag (pack liner)
Food
- Bear Vault (I’ll use as a camp chair, as well.)
- Flash Frozen Meals x 10 to start
- Cashews
- Peanut Butter
- Coffee
- Tea
- Spice flavouring
- Protein Bars x 8
- Smoked Cheddar
- Raisins
- Dried Mango