Andrew Skurka on 2027 Pacific Crest Trail Backpacking Gear
Build a durable, season-flexible Sierra kit, then adjust clothing, shelter, and snow gear for the forecast, timing, and route.
- Wear a sun-protective hooded shirt, shorts, and carry pants for bugs, snow glare, and intense sun.
- Use two sock pairs in rotation: wash one in clean water, dry it on your pack, and wear the other.
- Check bear-storage rules by jurisdiction; carry a hard-sided canister where required and verify 2027 approvals.
The detailed gear walkthrough and food-storage guidance add practical context beyond a short checklist. · Best for: PCT hikers and backpackers planning High Sierra trips from June through September.
Andrew Skurka presents a general High Sierra/PCT kit for June–September, then explains how to adapt it for season, weather, route, and personal needs. The central approach is to prioritize sun and bug protection, durable gear, reliable waterproofing, and comfort rather than minimizing base weight at all costs.
Trip scope and clothing worn all day0:00
- The kit is aimed at June–September High Sierra trips; adjust for the month, forecast, and whether the trip is on the PCT or off trail.
- Wear a long-sleeve hooded shirt, ball cap, and shorts; carry pants for sun, bugs, or snow glare.
- Use sunglasses, sun gloves, trail shoes suited to your own gait, gaiters, trekking poles, and optionally a watch with an altimeter.
- Rotate two pairs of socks; wash the pair not being worn in a suitable water location and air-dry it on your pack.
Pack, waterproofing, and clothing layers14:09
- A pack around 50–55 L suits many hikers; the speaker gives a broader 35–65 L range depending on style and resupply habits.
- Use a trash compactor bag liner for dependable waterproofing; a second liner can protect gear when rain is likely.
- Carry rain jacket and pants, rain mitts, a fleece mid-layer, a down puffy, and a buff; adjust for trip length and forecast.
Food storage and cooking22:26
- Learn the food-storage rules for each jurisdiction. Yosemite requires a hard-sided canister; rules differ elsewhere, including within Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
- Check whether a specific canister is approved for the 2027 season; approval by another organization does not guarantee park acceptance.
- The speaker prefers an alcohol stove but notes fuel availability and fire-safety concerns; canister stoves are a practical alternative.
- Carry two lighters, keep them dry and outside the cooking pot, and handle alcohol fuel carefully to avoid fires.
Shelter and sleep system32:04
- A trekking-pole shelter with bug protection and a waterproof floor can cover a broad season; use sturdy stakes because the shelter depends on tension.
- The speaker prefers a 32°F mummy bag over a quilt to reduce drafts; a warmer-weather bag may suit later northern sections.
- An insulated air pad offers comfort and warmth; carry a patch kit and know how to find slow leaks.
Accessible gear, navigation, and water39:16
- Carry a water bottle and a larger-capacity water container; use the latter to bring water to camp for dinner and breakfast.
- Use FarOut for PCT navigation; for off-trail routes, the speaker prefers custom paper maps and a compass for terrain context and bearings.
- The speaker uses Aquamira with a premix bottle, and carries sunscreen, lip balm, soap, a headlamp, battery bank, and satellite messenger.
Hygiene, personal adjustments, and early-season travel44:00
- Wash socks and feet daily; wash the hiking shirt every three or four days and adjust underwear washing to personal needs.
- Consider a backcountry bidet to reduce toilet-paper impact, especially in heavily used desert campsites.
- For early-season snow travel, add glacier glasses, an ice axe, crampons, a sit pad, and puffy pants; treat it more like mountaineering than a normal three-season hike.
- The speaker favors a little extra comfort and margin over pursuing the lowest possible base weight.
Step by step
- Choose a June–September baseline kit, then adjust it for route, trip length, and the latest weather and snow conditions.
- Select clothing for sun and bugs: long sleeves, shorts, and packable pants; add snow-travel protection if starting early.
- Fit shoes to your own feet and gait; carry two sock pairs and rotate, wash, and dry them during the trip.
- Choose a pack size for your gear and resupply plan; line it with a trash compactor bag, adding a second liner when rain is expected.
- Check food-storage rules for every park or forest section and confirm that your canister is accepted for the 2027 season.
- Select shelter and sleep gear for expected bugs, rain, and nighttime temperatures; bring stakes suited to the ground and a pad repair kit.
- Pack food and cooking gear; if using an alcohol stove, handle fuel away from the cooking spot and verify the flame is out before refilling.
- Keep frequently used navigation and water items accessible; use a phone app on trail and paper maps and a compass for off-trail travel.
- Add personal hygiene, first-aid, power, and emergency communication items, then revise the kit for early-season snow or unusually wet or warm forecasts.
Tools & resources mentioned
- FarOut — PCT phone navigation.
- Seek Outside Flight — example backpack shown.
- Trash compactor bag — pack liner for waterproofing gear.
- Enlightened Equipment rain suit — example rain jacket and pants.
- BearVault and The One — bear-canister examples; verify local acceptance.
- Trellis Designs Kogun — example alcohol stove.
- Western Mountaineering Summerlite — example 32°F mummy bag.
- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite — example inflatable sleeping pad.
- Aquamira — water purification treatment; the speaker describes using a premix bottle.
- Garmin inReach and Zoleo — satellite messenger options.
- Custom paper maps and magnetic compass — off-trail navigation tools.
Notes are AI-generated from the video's transcript and may miss nuance.