Live from The Highline Trail

Nick

-
.
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
12,949
I'm heading out Saturday morning, July 21, 2012, along with Dan Ransom and Cody to hike the famous Uintas Highline Trail. Depending on who you talk to or what book you read, it should stack up to somewhere between 70 and 90 miles of hiking with the side trips we have planned.

Our plan is to get it done in 7 days starting from Leidy Peak on the east end and finishing at the Mirror Lake Highway on the west end. 55 miles in a straight line but there are 11 mountain passes standing in the way.

I've decided to put my new DeLorme inReach 2-way satellite communicator to the test on this trip and essentially live-blog the trip through this thread. I'll post a bit as we get packed up and head out, and then once we're on the trail, I'll update this thread via messages sent to my wife audraiam who will update the thread with new information.

Here's a map of our approximate route. Check out the live map at http://backcountrypost.com/highline to see our location as we complete the hike. Once you're there, zoom in and press the "+" button next to the my current location to see our tracks. That map will be empty until Saturday afternoon.

[parsehtml]
<iframe width="900" height="500" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&amp;msid=214533597045798101523.0004a392c0042f58525f6&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=p&amp;ll=40.75662,-110.34256&amp;spn=0.520126,1.234589&amp;z=10&amp;output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&amp;msid=214533597045798101523.0004a392c0042f58525f6&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=p&amp;ll=40.75662,-110.34256&amp;spn=0.520126,1.234589&amp;z=10&amp;source=embed" style="text-align:left">Highline Trail 2012</a> in a larger map</small><br><br>[/parsehtml]I'm packing my bag right now. I'll be using my Osprey Kestrel 36 day pack for the trip. I just got everything in there except for food, water and fishing gear since I haven't decided what to bring. I threw all that on the scale and I'm weighing in at 21.6 pounds so far. Any bets on what I'll be at once we throw in food for 7 days, a liter of water and a fishing rod of some sort? If I'm sub-35 lbs, I might splurge and throw in a liter of whiskey. :)

A pic from last year on my Red Castle loop, just west of Porcupine Pass on the Highline Trail. Up until now, the furthest east I've set foot on the Highline.
lakefork-basin.jpeg
 
I'm still amazed how you do that and pack everything into your 36l pack. I wish I could do that. ;)
Have fun and I'm a bit envious. would love to do such a week long trip one day.
Can't wait to see your pictures and looking forward to your live footage
 
The whiskey is a consumable you must take it. I bet you end up closer to 40 but after reading the guy doing it with the four man tent and redbull you can run across the trail.
 
Okay. Food packed, I still have to throw in some dehydrated smoked salmon but I'm at 9 pounds of food now, so lets say 10 lbs total. That puts me at 31.6 pounds. Add a liter of water and I'm at 33.8 lbs. Now time to pick a fishing pole....
 
i'm amazed you only need a pound and a half of food per day...
 
I'm shocked that you're debating the merits of bringing one liter of whiskey versus none at all; for I would have expected, at least for a trip of this length, the big burning question to rather be whether or not to bring two liters.
 
I wont even be that light this weekend for a one nighter with the wife.
 
i'm amazed you only need a pound and a half of food per day...

I honestly think I'll have too much. Part of my motivation to bring more is because many have told me that the metabolism goes crazy around the 4th or 5th day and they end up eating a lot more. Oh, and I plan to eat entire brook trout, whole, raw, and alive. What could go wrong?

I'm shocked that you're debating the merits of bringing one liter of whiskey versus none at all; for I would have expected, at least for a trip of this length, the big burning question to rather be whether or not to bring two liters.

That's the kind of pep talk I needed! I'm going to pickup Ezra tomorrow. But I think you deserve the user title of 'booze burro' more than I do. Mind if I fix that? :D
 
i haven't noticed metabolism going up that high in only a week - at least not significantly. but after the bodies reserves run out, it gets straight crazy. all you can think about is food. like 6000 calories a day after awhile. it's gross.

but i'm jealous, i'll have at least 12 pounds of food to start, maybe 13.
 
I'm also impressed. I've gotten my weight down to a respectable level, but I doubt I'll ever make that!

I've also contemplated the 70 mile Highline route...I'll be looking forward to hearing how the trip goes.

Have fun!
 
i'm amazed you only need a pound and a half of food per day...
I think I agree with Dan. Maybe 1.5 lbs is plenty (you've probably done the calorie math).But, I did a long, tough, 8 day trip in the Winds and didn't take enough food. I was hungry and a little energy depleted most of the trip. Sucked! I'll be curious to see how it works out for you. I'm sure you know what you're doing, just don't want you to make the same mistake I did. Should be a great trip for you guys. Have fun and be safe.
 
Here's what's in my bag and out of my bag, for those interested:

In the pack:
• MSR Missing Link Tent (similar to MSR Fast Stash)
50' of cord
Mountain Hardware Phantom 32 degree down bag
Thermarest NeoAir XLite sleeping pad
Petzl TacTikka head lamp (modified)
Thermarest pillow sack/stuff sack

Gerber Crucial multi-tool
• BIC lighter
1 liter nalgene bottle
3 liter MSR Hydromedary hydration bladder with 1 liter of water for hiking.
Steripen Adventure Opti water purification system
• two extra sets of CR123 batteries for SteriPen

Garmin Oregon 450 GPS
DeLorme inReach satellite communicator
• Extra AA lithium batteries for the GPS and satcom
• Paper maps: Nat Geo trail illustrated and some custom 11x17 quads

• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Various pills, ibupofen, medications, etc.
• Lip balm
• Hand sanitizer
• 2 oz bottle of Jungle Juice, 100% deet
• Sunscreen
• toilet paper
• first aid kit with the essentials+ emergency blanket, lighter, fire starter, etc.

• Slik Sprint Mini tripod
• Intervalometer
• ND filter
• Microfiber cloths
• dust blower
• lens brush
• spare batteries and memory cards

Amazon Kindle in microfiber sack
headphones

• Golite Poncho
• Mountain Hardware rain shell
• Patagonia down sweater
• REI long sleeve, turtle-neck type zippable synthetic shirt.
• Beanie
• Long johns
• Extra pair of socks & underwear

• About 10 lbs of food

On my chest: (not counted in my pack weight)
Clik Access chest pack
Canon 60D
Canon 10-22mm EF-S

Wearing: (not counted in my pack weight)
• convertible pants
• short sleeve synthetic shirt
• underwear
• floppy hat
• socks
• boots
• sunglasses
• a stack of backcountrypost stickers to give to people on the trail :)


I'll definitely add:
• iPhone
• Some fishing gear <10 oz
• truck keys
• ID and a $ card

I might add:
• 1 liter of whiskey (2.2 lbs)
Canon 17-55 f2.8 lens
Canon S95 compact camera
 
My first trip into the Winds was a 8 day trip, about 15-16 miles in. I don't ever remember eating more after being in 4-5 days. In fact, I found I had lost my appetite during the trip. I had to force myself to eat sometimes so I wouldn't get weak from lack of food. We had so much food we could have stayed another 2 days, and I would have gladly if we didn't have to get back for work... What I learned was to only take in food that I REALLY like or I won't eat it...
 
I"m jealous. I was near the end of the trail by Oaks Park Reservoir for Scout Camp last week. What a gorgeous forest, and you'll have lots to see/explore given the area was full of mines back in the day.
 
Have fun Nick.
It has been a while since I did something that long, my problems revolved around my feet. I did not keep them dry and as clean as they could have been, and it was a hassle, and painful.
No stove = no....coffee? I would not survive.
Greg
 
We will be watching your track log with bated breath! Keep an eye out for the missing Aussie hiker. If you get in trouble note that on this page is the short list of peeps coming in to look for you. At least those that actually rec'd stickers.... :) We want pictures of pine marten, felis concolor and yeti. Enjoy! This is one of the best hikes I've ever done.
 
No stove = no....coffee? I would not survive.

I think he's doing Starbucks Via cold.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
Titans Gaia GPS - CarPlay integration is now live ! Resource Discussions 10
Upgrayedd Best place to live? General Discussion 46
Rockskipper A real good reason to live outdoors General Discussion 4
Blake Merrell Cuberant, Mt Marsell, Kamas, Lofty Lake loop LIVE Backpacking 0
Nick Great places to live for outdoors lovers General Discussion 51
JBG Water Beta 2022 - Highline Trail Trip Planning 6
J Uinta Highline Trail Shuttle Trip Planning 0
JBG Water on the Highline Trail - 2021 Trip Planning 2
LarryBoy Looping the Highline: Gilbert Peak Edition Backpacking 13
Parma Uinta Highline Trail Website General Discussion 1
Born to Hike 85 miles on the Uinta Highline Trail including Crater Lake and a Dinosaur: July 26 - Aug 1, 2020 Backpacking 35
S Uinta Highline Trail shuttle options? Trip Planning 5
Born to Hike Early June 3-day jaunt on the Uinta Highline Trail: Naturalist Basin, Pinto Lake, Margo Lake Backpacking 8
Perry Looping the Highline - Episode Three: The Crossing Backpacking 6
DrNed Highline Movie General Discussion 6
B Highline trail questions Trip Planning 12
Perry Looping the Highline - Episode Two Backpacking 11
Perry Looping the Highline - Episode One Backpacking 14
sydissoocool Looking for a backpacking buddy for Uinta Highline Trail Noobs: Introduce yourself! 6
DrNed 2019 Highline Planning - Leidy to Mirror Lake Trip Planning 75
Nick Unfinished Business: Highline 2018 Backpacking 46
Parma Highline: A feature documentary on the Uinta Highline Trail General Discussion 21
Dave 3/4 Highline in ±96 Hours Backpacking 10
DuneElliot Trip Report: Backpacking the Uinta Highline Trail, July 2018 Backpacking 6
K Uinta Highline Trail, July 4-8 2018 Backpacking 6
Perry Uinta Highline trail - East to West - Mission Accomplished! Backpacking 24
Jimmy BANFF: Fish/Devon Lakes/Pipestone Highline Backpacking 5
Perry Mirror Lake-Highline Loop Hiking & Camping 0
Amanda Mitchell Vernal, Utah Uinta Highline Trail shuttle offer Noobs: Introduce yourself! 9
DaveW Uinta Highline - Chepeta Lake to Hayden Pass Backpacking 6
Perry Uinta Highline Trail Part II Planning Trip Planning 67
WasatchWill UHT - Day 6: Olga Lake to Highline Trailhead Backpacking 3
Perry Uinta Highline Trail - East to West Backpacking 21
Parma Highline Trail, Whiterocks to Mirror Lake Hwy Backpacking 33
Perry Uinta Highline Trail: Food and Bears. General Discussion 39
seekinglost Uintas Highline Trail Solo Thru Hike - Getting to/from trailheads logistics Trip Planning 59
Blake Merrell Planning a Uinta Highline Trail Trip Trip Planning 51
DrNed Highline To WFBF Part 6 Backpacking 12
DrNed Highline To WFBF part 5 Backpacking 44
DrNed Highline to WFBF part 4 Backpacking 8
DrNed Highline Trail to WFBF part 3 Backpacking 3
Parma Have You Completed The Highline Trail? General Discussion 2
natylka 100 miles of Highline trail in Uintas Trip Planning 39
DrNed Highline Trail To WFBF Part 2 Backpacking 5
DrNed Highline Trail to WFBF Part 1 Backpacking 3
A Help me with a Trip to Grandaddy and Highline trail Trip Planning 5
Hurakan Highline to Grandview point to point Trip Planning 0
SPAC3MAN UTAH: Highline Trail Trip Planning 13
Bob Petzholt Highline Trail Resource Discussions 1
mathew highline trail uintas Trip Planning 23

Similar threads

Back
Top