CoffeePacific Crest Trail: What to pack.
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Time to read 3 min
Tom Ferstl is all about exploring the world one trail at a time. Whether he’s running through the mountains, discovering new cities on foot, or connecting with local communities, he’s driven by a love for movement, nature, and adventure. Based in Zurich, Tom shares real moments from the road—capturing the highs, the struggles, and everything in between.
The Beginning of an adventure with and open end. Follow NoNormal Ambassador Tom Ferstl on his epic adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile trail that stretches from Mexico to Canada. If you haven't yet: go check out part one & two of his inspiring journey!
How heavy is my backpack on the Pacific Crest Trail?
This seems to be one of the most burning questions people have: How heavy is your backpack?
It’s part of the standard greeting on the Pacific Crest Trail – right after “Where are you from?” and “When did you start?”
And it’s a valid question. Out here, where every step counts, every gram matters.
What you carry isn’t just gear. It’s your home, your kitchen, your bedroom — and sometimes, your heaviest burden. Within the first few days on trail, one thing becomes clear: weight isn’t just a physical number. It’s a story.
What I bring on the PCT.
A Look Inside the Backpack on the Pacific Crest Trail
When I started, my base weight was about 6.5 kg — without food and water. Not ultralight, but thoughtful.
It’s less now. Along the way, I ditched my pot, left the stove behind, and let go of a few “just in case” items.
Now, everything essential fits into my slightly beat-up purple backpack. Here’s what’s inside:
One-man tent
Sleeping mat
15°F quilt (warmth > regret)
Puffy & fleece
Rain jacket + rain pants
Tights, one pair of underwear, one spare pair of socks
Inflatable pillow (necessary luxury)
Power bank
Headlamp
Earplugs (trust me)
Mini first aid kit
Water filter
Sunscreen & lip balm
Nail clipper
Mini Swiss army knife
Spork
Coffee. Real coffee. Because standards.
Headphones (music > existential dread)
Leukotape & Vaseline (blister survival = real survival)
Ricoh GR IIIx digital camera (because the iPhone just doesn’t always cut it)
And on my body?
Same running shorts, same airy button-down shirt—just enough undone to feel like I’m almost on vacation.
No Stove, No Problem
I don’t cook. I cold soak when needed, or graze like some kind of snack goblin.
It sounds rough, but honestly? It’s freeing. No setting up. No cleanup. No stress.
And let’s be real — who stays up late after hiking 20 miles when “hiker midnight” hits at 8:15 PM?
What Are You Really Carrying?
The Pacific Crest Trail has a strange way of showing you what you actually need — and what you’re better off letting go.
I’ve let go of more than gear. I’ve dropped expectations. Ideas about how perfectly prepared I should be. Or how tough I’m supposed to seem.
Some things were only in my pack for my ego. Or for a fear that never came true.
Once you let that stuff go, things feel lighter — not just on your back, but in your head.
How Heavy Is My Backpack: The Answer I Give Today.
So how heavy is my backpack now?
Hard to say. Definitely lighter than when I started — physically, and mentally.
I still carry my essentials. And a few personal quirks I’m just not ready to give up.
But packing doesn’t feel like a burden anymore. It feels like rhythm. Like space. Like the little piece of control I get in a world that doesn’t always offer much.
If you ask me today,
“How heavy is your backpack?”
I might tell you a number.
Or I might just shrug and say:
“Light enough to keep going.”
Want more?
Dive into Tom's blog and follow his journey along the Pacific Crest Trail — a path that’s not just about miles, but about mindset. With every step, he questions what we call “normal” and redefines it on his own terms. It’s raw, real, and fueled by no normal coffee — because out here, ordinary just doesn’t cut it.
Pacific Crest Trail: Part Two
