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Ultralight Gear at REI?Find needles in the haystack in the BPL x REI Gear Guide.Episode 15 | Andrew Marshall on the Tahoe Rim Trail
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Summary
When Backpacking Light Gear Editor and Podcast Producer Andrew Marshall set out on a fast thru-hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail, he knew he’d be contending with Sierra snow pack that was several hundred percent above average. The story of that trip – trail conditions, lessons learned, and gear tested – is the subject of this BPL TRIP SHORT.
After a brief introduction, Ryan and Andrew spend some time discussing the Tahoe Rim Trail and conditions in the Eastern Sierra. Among other things, the guys talk about Andrew’s route finding, food strategies, training, and how to walk on sun cups (hint – meditate).
In the second half of the pod Ryan and Andrew talk about the gear – what Andrew loved, what he didn’t, and what he wished he’d left behind. They wrap it up with a lament on the state of footwear in the ultra-light world.
 Outline
- Ryan introduces show topic and guest – BPL Gear Editor and Podcast Producer Andrew Marshall Â
- Andrew shares his past hiking experience.
- Some basic facts on the Tahoe Rim Trail.
- The Hike
- Trail conditions – another record breaking year for Sierra snowpack
- Mileage per day
- Route finding in the snow
- PCT thru-hikers
- Training and fitness
- The Gear
- Mountainsmith Zerk 40L
- A minimalist pack for people who don’t like minimalist packs. A master of external and easily reachable storage.
- See Andrew’s First Look review here, and stay tuned for a full review coming soon.
- Big Agnes Fly Creek HV1 Carbon
- A hybrid Dyneema/Sil-nylon semi-freestanding double wall shelter.
- Does the performance justify the cost?
- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite
- Still probably the best sleep you can get for the weight, but not without its limitations.
-  Check out Andrew’s extensive review here.
- Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20F Quilt
- Andrew has changed his mind a little on this quilt since his initial review.
- Ryan and Andrew discuss quilt pad connection systems.
- MSR Pocket Rocket 2
- This stove has a great value.
- The Pocket Rocket 2 may not have the chops of the Pocket Rocket Deluxe or Soto Windmaster, but it blazes along well enough to earn it high honors in BPL’s Upright Canister Stove Gear Guide.
- Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras
- Aggressive, durable, and simple – this piece of gear probably saved Andrew’s bacon more than a few times on the Tahoe Rim Trail. Check out BPL’s  enthusiastic review.
- Mountainsmith Zerk 40L
- The Lessons
- Andrew’s training mistakes.
- The difference between cardiovascular endurance and muscular endurance is important!
- The most important piece of gear in Andrew’s pack (for this trip).
- Eating real food.
- Why Andrew and Ryan are slightly disappointed in the ubiquitous Altra Lone Peak 4Â trail running shoe.
- Andrew’s training mistakes.
Feedback, Questions, Tips?
Credits
- Backpacking Light – Executive Producer
- Ryan Jordan – Director and Host
- Andrew Marshall – Producer, Host, and Editor
- 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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Contact
You can contact us at podcast@backpackinglight.com, or follow us on social media –
- Backpacking Light – Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
- Andrew Marshall – Instagram | Twitter | WWW
- Ryan Jordan – Instagram | Twitter | WWW
Disclosure
- We do not accept money or in-kind compensation for guaranteed media coverage: Backpacking Light does not accept compensation or donated product in exchange for guaranteed media placement or product review coverage.
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Discussion
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Companion forum thread to: Episode 15 | Andrew Marshall on the Tahoe Rim Trail
Ryan interviews Andrew Marshall about his recent thru-hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail. They talk about snow, gear, training, and more.
Thanks, guys! Generally, a nice trip report of a snowy year. Sounds like Andrew had a nice trip, overall.
How were the bugs?
As you said, the durability of the UberLight is still in question. In summer weather (no snow,) I can see where the light weight becomes a major advantage. But, in most cases, going below 40F without some sort of supplement is not going to be warm enough for most, and, durability is still a real concern. This means you have to carry some sort of CCF pad as well, both for supplementing warmth and increasing durability. For summer use, fine, but for spring/fall…??
Andrew, you mentioned you started out the trail with 2 Liters of water–was that all you carried? I’m headed there in 2 weeks, and I’m trying to gauge what my longest water carry may be, and how much to allow for.
I too share the frustration with low durability, “disposable” trail shoes. Here’s a post I started about Hoka shoes in particular: https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/hoka-trail-shoe-durability-delamination-issues/
I’m sure this is covered elsewhere on the WWWeb, but I’m under the impression you are in sight of human-made stuff (buildings, roads, etc) more on this trail than on other popular wilderness trails (eg JMT).
Am I wrong? Does this trail provide a good wilderness experience (comparable to most of the Sierra)?
We have unanswered questions here…..anybody home????
How were the bugs?
For summer use, fine, but for spring/fall…??
Andrew, you mentioned you started out the trail with 2 Liters of water–was that all you carried?
Am I wrong? Does this trail provide a good wilderness experience (comparable to most of the Sierra)?
When you guys got into the discussion on the Altras and durability, I was all ears. I feel similarly- the soles of my Altra Lone Peaks wear out ridiculously fast. I tend to wear the outside edge of my shoe tread first, which compounds the issue because as the tread wears I start having an unnatural angle to my foot strike. It makes me feel more prone to ankle injury.
I recently purchased a set of Merrell Moab Ventilators and so far I like them. I got the wide width, which is shockingly wide (makes my Altras feel narrow), and while I would never call them a minimalist shoe nor are they zero drop, they are quite lightweight. I’m testing the soles out (Vibram) and if I get better life out of them I may start using them instead.
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