Proper Preparations for a 10 Day Solo Thruhike
Tahoe Rim Trail, CA - Photo Credit: Ankit Jain
What is the Tahoe Rim Trail?
The Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) is a 170-mile trail that circumnavigates California’s Lake Tahoe. It is shared by hikers, backpackers, bikers, and equestrians, passes through several Wilderness and State Park areas, and crosses the California-Nevada border twice. The elevation of the trail varies from ~6200 ft in Tahoe City, up to the 10,338 ft summit of Relay Peak.
On my route I will spend 10 days on the trail heading counterclockwise, beginning at the Kingsbury North trailhead. I will spend the first half of the trip climbing up and over Relay Peak, will resupply in Tahoe City at my halfway point, then finish out the second half of the trail through the Desolation Wilderness and Big Meadow sections.
The Desolation Wilderness section is the only part of the TRT that requires a permit, and luckily enough the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit issues permits specifically to thruhikers that bypasses the normal DW permit process, since it’s such a popular place to backpack in. I am also lucky to have two friends joining me for a few days of the trail, and my parents are meeting me at the end of the hike to celebrate as well!
Tahoe Rim Trail, CA - Photo Credit: Ankit Jain
Why did I choose the TRT to thruhike?
My ultimate goal is to hike the 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail in a few years, so to prepare for that trip and get a taste of long-distance backpacking I thought that this trail would be a great introduction to thruhiking! Many people consider the TRT to be a good first thruhike because there are many access and exit points, several resupply options, a decent amount of trail traffic (so you’re not alone too often), and a relatively moderate trail grade and altitude level.
While this trail of course requires a lot of planning and physical training (finding all the information and data to plan this trip took many weeks and lots of website-hopping! [Ed.: if only there was a company working tirelessly to develop an app that solves this problem!]), these resources allow hikers to attempt the trail at whatever speed or daily mileage they feel comfortable with.
Additionally, the weather in the Tahoe area is typically ideal for hiking in the summer months - sunny but not too hot at 6,000’-10,000’ elevation, and minimal chance of inclement weather. This trail will certainly be a challenging, new experience for me, but I am excited to tackle it!
Tahoe Rim Trail, CA - Photo Credit: Ankit Jain
What trail conditions impacted my gear list?
I know I previously said that the summer weather in Tahoe is ideal for hiking, but unfortunately this year has been the exception! The lower-than-average snowfall this year means that the lake basin around Tahoe has been much drier than usual. Seasonal streams are drying up a month ahead of schedule, afternoon thunderstorms have been more common, and temperatures are higher even at greater altitudes.
In addition, there is a much greater risk of wildfires earlier in the summer this year and although I don’t normally build backcountry campfires anyways, California has already issued an official campfire ban in many regions including the Tahoe area. All of these conditions have certainly impacted my gear list, since I first started planning in the winter!
To address the dry conditions, I have two spots where I will be leaving water caches before starting my hike, and I will be carrying 5L of water capacity so I can safely make it through long dry stretches. I will also be ditching a warmth layer, but adding in rain pants and jacket to deal with potential thunderstorms, which can also help to protect against bugs. Finally, I will be switching out my usual sun visor for a bucket hat to shield my head and neck from the sun and heat. Check out my comprehensive gear list below!
Tahoe Rim Trail, CA - Photo Credit: Ankit Jain
Gear:
Pack and Sleep Items
1-person tent
60L backpack
Inflatable sleeping pad
Inflatable pillow
15 degree down quilt
I recently switched from my synthetic sleeping bag to a down quilt for the weight savings and flexibility. Quilts have an open back (you lay right on your sleeping pad), because down doesn’t help with insulation anyways when it is compressed underneath your back. I am also a very mobile sleeper and enjoy not feeling as constricted as when I’m in a mummy bag!
Food Prep Items
Backpacking Stove
650mL cook pot
Spork
Lighter
White gas fuel canister
Water filter
2L water bladder
2x 1L water bladders
1L water bottle
Food! This includes my favorite backcountry delicacies such as dehydrated dinners for each night, avocados and apples for fresh produce, lots of fruit bars and granola bars, oatmeal, cheese, Snickers and Twix bars, Sour Patch Kids, dried fruit and nuts, and one of my go-tos: Trader Joe’s canned dolmas!
Electronics
Cell phone and charger
Satellite phone with GPS, and charger
20000mAh power bank
Headlamp
Earbuds
Toiletries
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Sunscreen
Chapstick with SPF
All-natural bug repellent
Trowel
Toilet paper (make sure to pack it all out!)
Bandana
Hand Sanitizer
All-natural soap
Safety
First aid (bandaids, gauze, ibuprofen, Benadryl, antibiotic ointment, athletic tape, ace bandage, moleskin)
Multitool (Swiss Army Knife, 11-function)
Compass
Repair kit (gear patches, needle and thread, duct tape)
Paper map
Matches
Miscellaneous
Extra garbage bag and ziplocs
Reading book
Paper and pen
Watch
Clothing
Hiking t-shirt
Hiking shorts
Sports bra
2 pairs of socks
1 sock liner (for sleeping)
Trail running shoes
Gaiters
2 underwear
Lightweight rain jacket
Rain pants
Down jacket
Long sleeve base layer shirt
Leggings
Warm pants
Light gloves
Beanie
Bucket hat
Sunglasses
Camp shoes
My personal favorites are Crocs- lightweight, waterproof, and super fun colors!
Tahoe Rim Trail, CA - Photo Credit: Ankit Jain
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