Thinking about a really long backpacking trip

I'm looking at a new job. My current company will only pay me for up to 2 weeks of unused vacation time. Time which I bank all year long for powder days. I have many sick days, and many vacation days to burn this month before I get down to 2 weeks.

Since moving to Utah, I've been eyeing the Highline Trail in the Uintas. It essentially goes from one end to the other of this mountain range following the spine the entire way across. I've hiked the Uinta Mountains many, many times, but have never had the time to do this.

Total mileage: 83 high elevation miles

Anybody ever done one of these longer hikes? I'd love to do one of the big ones in the Tetons, but no dogs, and since I'm most likely doing this solo, I'd like a little company, so the pooch is going to join me.

Most of the hikes I've done, are usually 2-3 nights, and I've never done over 4. I'm thinking about leaving myself 10 full days to do this hike, which leaves me some extra days to maybe climb King's Peak, as well as bad weather if I average 10 miles a day, which is common mileage for me backpacking.

I'm a very seasoned backpacker, so I know and understand all the dangers with a trip like this. However, I am going to need a bigger pack since mine is only around 3000 ci. Any advice on packs, or just in general? Anybody want to join me?

You're gonna need a big ass pack for 10 days. I'd recommend a Gregory Denali.

Evertything should be the same as your shorter trips, except more food and fuel. What type of shelter do you plan on using? There's tons of advancements and you can get a nice shelter at around 3# for you and the pooch.

Either way it sounds bad ass. Good luck.

My solo/intimate tent:
http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/206...94711_2105.JPG
MSR Zoid 2.0

Pretty light weight, packs down nice and small. I like a full tent, not really a tarp fan.

I'm eyeing the Denali, but also looking at the Shasta and a few Ospreys.

Really the only things I have to bring extra are:

Fuel
Food, which is why I will need the bigger pack
Book
Journal

Yeah, Denali is the higest end Gregory. I've been happy with a Palisade for about ten years now, the thing is indestructable. Shasta is nice, too.

That tent looks sweet, sounds like you're all set! Hit the trail!

ps - don't forget the ibuprofen.

A suggestion would be to do a cruise through the Weminunche wilderness in the San Juans. Many ways to do it; train into Chicago Basin and then cross country to Silverton, or Beartown to Chicago Basin and train it out, etc. Great peaks on the way for lightweight scambles, good water. You could spend 10 days, but really is good for about 5-6 or so. With a lightweight tarp you could do it with a 3000 size pack, which is better for the scrambles.

I would outfit the dog with a pack so it can at least carry some of its food
I assume you have booties for his feet?

I have done parts of that trai & its tits.

King Peak is worth a day waylaid.

enjoy & remember even though its your penis, its still a penis

Longest trip I've ever done is twelve days. By about day 5 I really felt "in tune" and thought it could just go on forever. By about day 8 or 9, I really wanted to go home. When I got home and recharged a little I was sad to be back.

One thing about the highline trail is the exposure to lighting as I'm sure you know. You'll prolly have to scramble off the trail at least once a day to seek shelter from the afternoon storms, so early starts in the morning would be a good idea. What end do you think you may start from? I might be interested in doing 2-3 days with you at the start/end. Sounds like fun though, I've wanted to make the trip.

Yeah LCC! Sounds like a blast man, you and Corbet against the elements! Make sure to bring the camera for sick TR!

flyk, East to West is the plan for right now. Lightning has been a concern on all of my trips in the Uintas. Ever notice how it seems to come out of cloudless skys up there?

Woodsy, you been drinking?

Quote:

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Originally posted by flykdog

I might be interested in doing 2-3 days with you at the start/end. Sounds like fun though, I've wanted to make the trip.

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Me too

If you can manage it, try caching some stuff along the way before you go. It makes for more plesant hiking. Being able to exchange that pound of oatmeal and gorp for a pint of decent scotch is a worthy tradeoff.

My max was 65+ miles in 10 days.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Telephil
Me too

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depending on timing & such
you could have a few people start with you on the Vernal side & bag off after a few, a few solo days & then a contingent meet you towards Mirror Lake.

This could save pack weight too with some of us bringing the fuel/food for the front & rear ends.

just a thought

I agree with the caching of supplies, the only problem with that on this trail is access. To get into where the trail will cross, it would be at least an overnight trip in. Usually I go with a few backpack meals I'm very familar with, but due to weight issues, I might pick up dehydrated stuff from REI. Whiskey is a staple on the trail.

flyk, tele, Woodsy, anybody else is welcome for as much or as little of this trip as possible/desiered. It is still in the planning stages, but I hope to hit the trail within the next couple of weeks pending a few out of town guests and the new job situation. Man I hope it goes through so I can do this.

My only concern with having people meet up with me on the end of the hike would be if I get delayed due to weather. I'd hate for people to be planning on meeting up with me and I'm a day or so off schedule. But, I'll leave it up to whomever is interested.

Here is the definiate companion:
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...l_fb85bc03.jpg

I did the Appalacchian Trail, which is a very different kind of long backpacking trip.
One thing I would suggest for this trip is to find out where the water is and how reliable it is. I don't know anything about this area, so excuse me if this is irellevant. Hiking along the spine of the mountains may mean carrying water or having to plan your camps/mileage around water sources. Water is heavy and you need lots of it at altitude.
Other suggestions include carrying minimal everything except food. Your appetite will be off the charts by the fifth day, and you don't want to deprive yourself or run out. Go minimal on everything else, including shoes/boots, bring the lightweight ones and you won't trip from dragging your feet when you're exhausted, plus it saves a lot of energy. Know your escape options, if the weather falls to shit and it won't be fun or safe on the ridge in a tent, you'll want to have options. If you have trekking poles or old ski poles, bring 'em and use 'em. Consider a tarp instead of a tent. Don't leave anything undone before you go, get out there with as clear and free a mind as you can, then stretch that effect.