TRT Gear List 09

Robert- Yeah your right i should pick up one of those. I always travel with compass and map but the TRT is pretty straight forward, well marked, and i have a great map:)Who makes the spherical compass you are using? What the weight? The lake does make things pretty simple when it comes to navigation. Along with the Take IT Outdoors Map, i should always now what lies ahead and where I am:)
Nick- I agree with both you guys about the compass. No need to leave it behind we it's so minimal, yet so vital in back country travel. I have hiked parts of the trail in the past, but it's been a while.
I also haven't settled on a shelter yet. I have been considering the poncho/tarp idea. weather is generally warm with lows in the 40's and very little precip. Good Idea?

Thanks Aaron

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Aaron,

I agree with Dave on the shelter. MLD Sil Poncho is also my rain gear and shelter. If there is a good change of heavy perciptation, bring a breathable bivy. Even if little or no chance of rain, I bring the poncho. In an emergency in full sun, you will need shade.

If the weather will not dip below 40:

Just bring a light down jacket for insurance. A Montbell Extremely Light Down Jacket only weighs 6.1 oz in large. Skip the Hoody and rain jacket, unless you are hiking in a hoody as your baselayer and hiking shirt.

Camera, on my last unique trip I had to leave the camera behind because the battery was dead. I am very unhappy about that. Take a camera.

Ipod, personal decision. I try to leave technology at home. I can easily keep my mind occupied and like to hear all the sounds. If you want one, the Nanos are almost weightless.

Watch… on long days of hiking, I think it is required.

Sunglasses… required. I wear glasses because of old age. I can never find any glasses that are comfortable. I now have a pair of Maui Jim's, with a reader (1.5 magnification) bifocal. I can wear these glasses all day and forget they are on my ears. Less than an ounce. Only took me 40 years to find sunglasses I can wear all day.

Toiletries — personal option. To be honest, your teeth will not fall out if you do not brush them for 5 days. Just no one will be will to kiss you. Strangers may stay away from you due to bad breath, I would consider that a plus :)

I agree with Dave's post about no compass. I just hiked today from the Mt Rose trailhead to my house (about halfway between TC and Brockway Summit) and got seriously confused for a few hours around the Relay Peak area–still way too much snow. However, as I knew where the sun was and/or where the lake was, I was fine with just a good map. I've always thought it would be virtually impossible to get really lost in Tahoe–just head down towards the lake and you'll eventually hit civilization.

This thread is what made me do today's hike–I just can't wait any longer to do some serious TRT miles.

Thanks again for all the input:)

Dave-I found a MLD Sil Poncho Pro in the gear swap. I couldn't be more excited! Now i can add a wind jacket and drop the Mica. I'll also add a polycryo ground cloth as well. Nice:)
The compass is nice to have but will most likely not be needed on this hike. There are many scenerios that could happen like fog,snow, etc. But in July? Still thinking about.
Like i said above i will be trading out the Mica for a wind jacket since i have the poncho now.
Im bringing the MOntbell UL Down Inner to boost my quilt. Im not sure the rating on the BPL UL 60 Quilt but it's no Nunatak. I would like to eventually get a insulated vest or a lighter jacket for summer time but can't afford it right now.
Your right on the duplicate balaclava. The hoody is kind of heavy for summer use anyways, so im thinking about swapping it out for a Patagonia Capiline long sleeve.
I will be bringing a Nikon Coolpix S210 (4.3 oz) for the photo ops. I plan on doing a trip?gear report after im finished with the hike.
No ipod. That stuff stays at home.
I need a watch for sure. I'd like to get something that has an A

Re: Tahoe rain: this morning, I took a walk along the Nevada side of Tahoe, the trail running several hundred feet inland of the lake. As it has for the last several days, clouds began building up in the morning, and by noon I had to break out my Driducks rain jacket. On the drive home, the rain under a couple of the thunderheads was so intense it rivaled hurricane-strength rain, but only for a limited time. All this was predicted, so anyone hiking in the Tahoe area should get the weather forecast before making a final decision on rain gear. (PS you can safely drop the compass.)

Aaron,

For me the lower limit of the BPL UL60 is 50F with a down jacket.

I have a Nunatek Arc Specialist for anything colder to about freezing.

Below that to 20F, I have WM ultralight.

Below 20F, I stay home or go somewhere else :)

I will be adding a JRB NO Sniveller to my TRT Gear List. I agree with Nick and don't feel the BPL UL 60 Quilt+Montbell Ul Down Inner Jacket will be enogh boost for the temps that i will most likely face. For a couple oz's the JRB will be a much warmer, versitile option=) It will definitely be rocking this bad boy in poncho mode. I'll have the allstar poncho setup, the MLD and the JRB on the TRT! This system will keep me dry and cozy and is easily adaptable to many conditions. Less than a month…im gettin super excited and have enjoyed the feedback this thread has created.

-Aaron