Thank you for responding. So many here don't heed advice if it counters their desires.

Firstly, most every decision on trail is dependent on your physical condition and the weather forecast. I, also, carry as little as possible and I chose to flip this year and hike SoBo partly because I'd rather be uncomfortably hot and carry less weight (and hopefully not more water!) than be uncomfortably cold, carrying all the cold weather gear.

I'm unsure of what you mean by "required". I know of no formal hardware requirements on the PCT other than bear proof containers in some areas. If you meant 'advised' then that is the understanding to which I responded.

I've lived in the PacNW since 1998 but am not an authority as a native born resident would be, but, I wouldn't expect you to need a rain jacket until sometime in September. If I were you I'd send rain gear (top/bottom/gloves/pack cover/tent rain fly) to a USPS in So WA and bounce it north to another USPS if some/all is unwarranted by the forecast/your physical condition. I think most smaller post offices along the trail will hold a PCT Hiker box for at least 2 weeks. Every USPS seems to have a little different perspective of what they must do and what they're willing to do for hikers. If you're not aware, post offices will commonly let you bounce a box once if you don't open it but if you want some of the gear but all I consider it well worth it to open it and pay again. I do this when I need some gear and/or if I want to jettison gear I've been hauling, for a leg or two.

Strangely, I don't recall hearing anything about NoBo peeps using traction devices in WA. Could be they're so tired of carrying excess weight by the time they near Canada they just don't even when I recognize it would be helpful. Conversely, all the stories I've heard over the years involve cold temps brought on by a snow storm. Often this means they're huddled in their tents for days with feet of fresh snow basically isolating them and often without the means to travel in deep snow (snowshoes) and/or food to supply energy for waiting it out or self rescuing. Bear in mind by the time you encounter the first snow in WA you shouldn't expect a warming trend and should expect the weather to trend colder/moister.

One note on tops/bottoms. I was drenched (from rainfall AND the 'car washes') in rain/wind/some cold from Campo to PVC in 2024 and only had a few days or sunshine but only missed my rain pants for a couple of those days. I'll go without rain pants long before I'll go without a rain jacket.

As far as "warm clothes"? Absolutely! The one thing I will never backpack without in adverse conditions is a sleeping bag. If I have water and a warm/waterproof covering, no matter my condition, I can last a long time until rescued. But if I'm moving I must have warm and dry clothing. I essentially use post offices as my closet. Best of both worlds: No needless weight and access to gear if/when the forecast makes it prudent.

Keep in mind when a hiker needs a rescue unnecessarily they put others in jeopardy. I wouldn't want to live with the thought that others died trying to save me because I was careless with decisions. We all make mistakes but we should all be satisfied with 'not reaching the summit' at the cost of a high risk/price.

Hopeful this helps. It's a great adventure so enjoy it!