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
- Â 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
- How to define ultralight backpacking?
- 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?
- Â 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
- What is ultralight backpacking about?
- 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.
- Two way satellite messaging
- Garmen InReach Mini
- 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?
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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