Podcast 004 | Guide’s Roundtable

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Summary

Over the summer months Ryan and Andrew are taking a break from the long format episodes to bring you a few different variations on the podcast. This episode features a conversation with a few of the Backpacking Light Wilderness Adventure guides. Kevin Fletcher, Dan Wielenga, and Adam Van Zee all joined Ryan in the Beartooth Wilderness in June for a guide training. In the car on the way home, conversation turned to the philosophy and “soft skills” of ultralight backpacking.

Later in the episode, Ryan gives a brief rundown of the new Garmin inReach Mini and previews the upcoming BPL Trekking Poles gear guide. Andrew is moving to Lake Tahoe and considering a 2019 PCT thru-hike.

Outline

• Ryan and Andrew introduce the episode format
• Ryan introduces the guides he will be talking to
• Guest interview, Round Table Format: Backpacking Light Wilderness Adventure Guides Kevin, Dan, and Adam
  • How to define ultralight backpacking?
    • Simplicity
    • Weight range 15 – 25 pounds
    • Doesn’t necessarily mean having super high end gear
      • What works for you?
  • Length of trip (expedition style) can mean heavier packs even if ultralight skills and ideas are being practiced
    • Base weight vs food weight
    • Ultralight is a mindset
  • Ultralight can often be misinterpreted
    • Does the classic “cutting the handle off the toothbrush” move automatically make you an ultralight backpacker?
    • It’s a first step!
    • Ultralight backpacking is a methodology
      • Application of methodology across different types of trips
      • Skills, techniques, certain types of gear that allow you to simplify systems
      • Streamlined systems
      • Focus on experience
  • Reducing complexity leads to a reduction of packweight—in general
    • Multi-use items
  • Some ounces are worth adding for the sake of experience
    • Those items and that experience is different for everybody
    • Baking soda vs toothpaste
    • Going light helps you have a better experience
    • Searching for the optimal experience is a process that involves subtracting and sometimes adding weight over time
    • The search for simplicity is also an individual pursuit
  • How minimalism is misunderstood
    • Not just about what is necessary vs not necessary
    • What adds value?
  • Item evaluation and how to determine if it enhances experience
    • One item at a time
    • Research
    • Can it be lighter? Can it be eliminated?
  • Hiking in groups where not everyone is lightweight
    • How much are folks enjoying the experience?
  • How tradition and lack of experimentation leads to a mistaken belief about the importance of items
    • Education
  •  Exploring the idea that certain pieces of gear are necessary for certain experiences
    • Depth vs breadth of experience
  • Lightweight backpacking as a gateway for family / loved ones
  • Ultralight backpacking  = more fun?
    • Intentionality and research
    • Cottage gear companies
  • Systems
    • Changing one part of the system often leads to changing other parts of the system
  • Enjoyability of the experience
    • How much more can you see and experience with a lighter pack?
    • Travel farther, see more
    • Options opened up
  • Durability and quality of gear – how important is it?
    • What drives your gear choices?
    • Marketing vs actual needs
  • Hard Skills / Performance / Longevity
    • Ultralight octogenarians
  • Family Backpacking
    • Children experiencing the wonders of nature
    • Ultralight methods allow families to backpack enjoyably
    • For kids the outdoors should be fun
    • The challenges of outfitting a family with gear affordably
    • Longer trips with families
  • Ultralight backpacking as a catalyst for quality time with friends / loved ones
    • Less investment of time and energy
    • Lowering the barriers to get to the trailhead
• Ryan and Andrew break down the conversation
  • Pros / cons of solo vs group backpacking
  • The affordability of ultralight backpacking
    • What is ultralight backpacking about?
      • Materials?
    •  You can go as light as possible and spend a lot of money, or you can go ALMOST as light as possible and spend far less
  • Hard skills and gear vs philosophy, soft skills, and relationships
• Gear
  • Garmen InReach Mini
    • Two way satellite messaging
      • Allows wilderness trips at times when zero communication is not an option
    • Pairs with smartphone
    • Half the size and weight of the old InReach
      • Huge step forward
    • Bluetooth pairing to phone
    • Using device for messaging without the smartphone is extremely clumsy
      • Smartphone needed for messaging / mapping
    • Retails for $350.00 plus service plans
    • Check out the review on the website! Link below.
• Here and Now
  • Ryan and Chase backpacked the Snowy Range and went off trail
  • Ryan is hip deep in trekking poles, screening over a hundred models for the upcoming Trekking Pole gear guide
    • Poles are still pretty heavy in general
    • Folding poles
    • Durability of poles over time
      • Shaft material
      • Common failure points on poles
  • Personal trekking pole preferences
  • Trekking pole strategies for getting your hands free quickly
  • Andrew’s family is moving to Lake Tahoe
  • Andrew’s possible 2019 PCT thru-hike
    • Logistical challenges
    • Discussion of speeds while thru-hiking
    • FKT thoughts

Links

• A good podcast exploring minimalism as a philosophy
• Ryan’s extensive Garmin inReach Mini review
  • Follow the link in the review to purchase, help support BPL
• Check out the Snowy Range in Wyoming
• The BPL community has discussed trekking poles at great length. See what folks have said while you wait on Ryan’s Gear Guide to come out.
• The Pacific Crest Trail Association is a good place to start thinking about your possible PCT adventure.

Feedback, Questions, Tips?

• Submit them via email or Twitter and get featured on our next podcast!

Credits

• Backpacking Light – Executive Producer
• Ryan Jordan – Director and Host
• Andrew Marshall – Producer, Host, and Editor
•  Kevin Fletcher, Dan Wielenga, and Adam Van Zee – Guest Interview
• Look for Me in the Mountains – Music
  • Written by: Chris Cunningham and Ryan Jordan
  • Performed by: Chris Cunningham (acoustic guitar, lead and harmony vocals, harmonica), Chad Langford (upright bass), and Tom Murphy (mandolin).
  • Produced by: Basecamp Studios in Bozeman, Montana

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