Everything Goes Wrong: Uinta Highline Trail - Full Documentary

On this final episode of The 2021 Hardline Challenge, the OV team sets out to thru-hike the world-famous Uinta Highline Trail.
Check out the full Hardline Challenge Playlist:
• The Hardline Challenge
For more details about this trip, check out podcast episode 61 on the Live Ultralight Podcast: outdoorvitals....
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[@TaysonWhittaker]

See our second attempt! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXuXioGHm8-opJI

[@TrojanHombre1]

I did the Highline trail a few years ago, and it was an incredible experience. I've been in the High Uinta's countless times throughout my life, and I've learned to expect monsoon storms every afternoon, with the distinct possibility of extreme temperature fluctuations, lightning, hail, and snow. We were really lucky during our Highline Trail hike, and only had to deal with rain/hail on a couple of days. We got into a major hailstorm going down the backside of Anderson Pass, and had to trudge through it until we stopped to camp for the night at Northstar Lake. When the storm finally ended, the ground was completely white and covered with accumulated hail stones, but thankfully it melted off that evening before everything completely froze that night. Even though the trail is relatively short (~100 miles) compared to other through hikes, you have to evaluate your gear a bit differently than if you were on a lower elevation hike like the Appalachian trail due to the high altitude and remoteness (bail out points are pretty nonexistent on the back half of the hike). Running shorts and trail runners work great when the weather is good, but if it turns like it did with your group, it can be very rough. If you hike the trail earlier in the season, then you have to deal with swarms of mosquitos and snow at the tops of the passes. When I backpack in the Uinta's, I wear lightweight hiking pants for better protection against bugs and weather. Knowing that there is a very real possibility of getting completely wet, I also carry an extra set of clothing (shirt/pants or shorts/socks) to change into/rotate. Yes, it's extra weight, but sometimes being "stupid light" can be even more dangerous, and it mentally feels very comforting to know that you have some dry clothes to change into.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Sounds like you've had quite the adventure up there as well!

[@catwithhandsies]

Last of s😊pl😊😊😊😊

[@thefuture986]

Well done for taking the hard but wise decision to return. This will serve as a good example for others in similar situations...

[@schil19]

Just watched the whole series tonight at work. All I could think about was I want to be on the trail. So glad to be part of the UL Member 100 Challenge. Great series and can't wait to share my 100 mile trip.

[@glazierd55]

It was so fun and motivating to follow your prep and to see the anguish in your faces when you decide to turn back from Anderson pass and when you decided to get off the trail. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. It will still be there next year! Keep sharing your adventures and insights. I know it’s a lot of video and editing, but the OV Tribe love it!

[@livinlarge1247]

Great picture: opening up the tent to that snow. Raw & vivid. Great to see the Outdoor Vitals Team out there getting it.

[@frederickneill5550]

I had hail at 11,000 feet this summer, too, trails that got lost, and lots of logs to climb over, so I could really relate. In fact, it would be awesome to join you when you try the Highline again! You inspired me to finish the video I'm making of my trip, and gave me some ideas. I don't look at trekking as so much of an athletic event and prefer to take more time, but your insights and transparency were helpful. Keep it up!

[@chipkk7868]

What a great adventure. This shows not only the training and prep that went into the trip and the importance of being geared for the conditions, but most of all the importance of being flexable should conditions change. This trip will be remembered not for its goal, but more importantly for the changes in direction it took. HATS OFF to OV for making the needed call and for sharing the simple fact that conditions can change and how being ultralight does mean being willling to adapt a trip as needed.

[@tcondie36]

Thanks Chip! Along with learning a ton it definitely inspired a few new pieces of gear that arent on the market yet, we're excited to get them going! Thanks for sending the Turkish Delight as well, everyone in the office loves it!

[@chipkk7868]

@@tcondie36 Glad you like the candy, you guys work very hard for us. Applets and Cotlets are something I found in 1975 when I was in the AIr Force stationed in Western Washington. They appeared in our base exchanges at Christmas every year and not that they are more readily availabe I still find them as just a special treat.

[@brianmcmurdie]

This area is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing the whole process. I hope y’all look back on this trip as a huge success. You’re safe, you accomplished a great trip, and you deepened your friendships.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Most definitely!

[@kokolebest95]

Brandon if you ever read this you're an absolute trooper! Congratulations you pushed yourself to the absolute limit, nothing to be ashamed of! Be proud :)

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

What an amazing experience for you and your team. And in my mind having Brennan come along to pick you up was icing on the cake. God Bless

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Absolutely

[@swnorcraft7971]

I get that you guys wanted to do this hike, but on limited time. Your training and preparations were well executed and for the most part, you completed your goal......fantastic! Know that some of us like to be in the outdoors....to enjoy the moment, to drink in all that nature has to offer. To do this, one needs to stop and smell the wildflowers, pause to enjoy the wildlife and sometimes dawdle in camp for a half or even a full day. In other words............the journey, not the destination is the goal. Doing it in comfort, with as lightweight of gear as possible is still a worthy pursuit. Thanks for sharing.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching! We are grateful to have opportunities to do both!

[@ashleychase8586]

I had a ton of fun watching the series. I hope you are able to make more! Keep living your dreams!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching! We'll continue to pursue these bucket list dreams and hikes!

[@tomaswmitchellphotography]

I'm really wanted to do the Highline but I would really need 10 days to do it. This was a great series of videos! Great choice to bail on this. Those conditions kill people and it was a wise move. Thanks guys for your great products!

[@darrintaylor8653]

Great video, guys. Makes me want to get out on the trail right now. I wouldn't second guess a single decision you made, glad it worked out like it did with everyone safe. Love your gear by the way.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Go for it!

[@Nunya_Binness]

Anyone who has spent any amount of time on the Highline and the Uinta’s in general has been humbled by her majesty Mother Nature! I do 7-10 day backpack elk hunts in the Uinta’s and have begged for her mercy many times but her beauty is irresistible to me!

[@waynegenewick8570]

I enjoyed this series very much, great job to all of you. You all gained so much from the hike. This is what makes memories for years to come. Good luck with your next adventure.

[@ChristianPaulPhotography]

Your Day 3 was much like our Day 2 this year on the Uinta Highline Trail! We fortunately only had rain no snow! You guys made the right call.

[@jschap9499]

There are lots of old hikers but not very many old, bold hikers. Way to go...

[@laidbacktraveler2580]

Great series - I felt motivated, drained, hopeful, apprehensive, and relief with each chapter and gleaned some valuable information. Well done guys!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrisreed2346]

Love it! Amazing job with the documenting. Definitely adding this to my list for next year.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

You should!

[@louaguilar2456]

Just finished watching you bunch of crazy guys over at the Outdoor Vitals slay this Hardline Challenge, it was so much fun and exciting to sit and partake in this journey with y’all even though things didn’t go in your favor towards the end and I know for a fact had they (things) , y’all would’ve finished it in 5days. Thanks soo much for sharing this with us all

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed. We'll be back at it again next year hopefully!

[@sammcneil7685]

Y’all should do a load out video of what you all brought on the trail. Taysons pants during the snow storm looked like some dope capris. And Brighams rain coat looked on point.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great idea

[@livingthedash7048]

Also, what hiking poles!

[@macedo4]

Great video thanks for sharing. I completed the Highline Trail thru hike solo last year good call avoiding Anderson Pass with that snow. Many of those passes are already sketchy in certain areas let alone in those conditions you guys faced.

[@lrpetric]

Hunted the area around chapeta lake and swift creek few years ago and have always wanted to come back and do the highline trail and had a 5 day plan in my head as well. strong work guys.

[@ogreteeth]

Loved the whole series. Thanks so much for sharing your adventures!

[@alpineearth]

Good for you guys for knowing your limits. Here in Canada in the fall we bring 3 ply goretex pants and jackets and spikes or crampons and ice axes to wear on your feet and we wear pants. We actually usually carry that stuff in the summer too if we have mountain passes in our hiking agenda. Its pretty hard to go ultralight because you have to be super prepared.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Always better to listen to the weather. We will be back for sure!

[@journeyman7189]

What an amazing adventure. Lots of lessons learned, type 1 and type 2 fun as well. I did expect, at the very end, when it read the end of the highland challenge that it would then say - For now! Nate

[@stephencurwood9469]

Great effort!! Fail? Nah!! You were stopped by things beyond your control!! Inspiring. :)

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you!

[@discoveringdylan]

Awesome video of an incredible trail guys. Thanks for sharing all of the struggles you faced as well! It's so important for people to see the tough decisions you guys had to make. It would've been so easy for you guys to keep pushing on and get into a really dangerous situation. I really appreciate the thorough decision making, and I'm hoping to do this trail in 2022 so this is invaluable insight. Happy trails!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching! We'll likely be back at it again next year as well! Good luck on the trail!

[@dansquyres4016]

I really enjoyed this series. Fun to watch, good motivation, plus I learned some good information. Sorry it didn’t work out like you all planned. I really enjoy all your videos, and your products. Seems like y’all have the right priorities. Last thing, dude, lose the ‘stache. :)

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jadenm]

Thank you doe the video. I enjoyed it a lot. Highline trail is one that I plan on doing.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dianelamoureux112]

Awesome. Just awesome. You guys are inspiring. Thanks.

[@mobilewintercamp7515]

What are those packs? Great area , Well done video.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

These are our Shadowlight packs. outdoorvitals.com/products/shadowlight-ultralight-backpacking

[@clayp520]

I did UHT early August. Great trail, great weather. Epic all around. Took 8.5 days. When was this trip?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

3rd week of August.

[@cbiser3696]

We came down that same pass - North Pole - in the pouring ice cold rain as well around the same time you were, we couldn’t have been more than a couple days separated on the highline heading the same direction hahah!

[@gigihenderson8567]

I also wanted to ask which tents you were using?… the few interior shots made it look like you were using an ultralight config, but would like to know what you took and maybe why? Thx. Oh and may I suggest a Tenkara rod if you are taking a fly rod on trail with you.

[@tcondie36]

Hi Gigi, we were using our prototype trekking pole tents. Derek and I had a 2p and Tayson and Brigham were using 1 person ones. Tayson had a Tenkara rod, mine was actually my wifes and was a last minute addition after I realized how light my pack was haha.

[@douglasconrad8969]

Wow. You guys are for real! So i bought my sleep system from outdoor vitals !!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you

[@bobmcelroy7289]

Always better to Live to hike another day! But all said and done, great trip, and video! Fanfreakingtastic! And not even a UL hiker.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@BeaglesBackcountryAdventures]

There's no shame in pulling out from a dangerous situation, and in hindsight you would have been in trouble if you chose to try to continue. Glad it played out the way it did. The UHT has some tough love.. we had hail on almost every pass but what kicked us off were two wildfires, and we had to dodge them to get out. Glad to hear you had a great experience with Mountain Transport, Amanda is well respected and does a great service to the region. Not too many choices for UHT. Well done, I've subbed and will be watching for your next attempt.. I'm headed back to finish in July/August solo. Happy trails!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Maybe we'll see you up there this year!

[@andrewduncan7643]

Hoping to do this soon myself but would be flying into Salt Lake City so logistics are an issue. You mention Mountain Transport and Amanda. Is this a shuttle service from one end to the other perhaps? Thanks.

[@BeaglesBackcountryAdventures]

@@andrewduncan7643 I believe she can serve either end of the trail.. although with a 3 hour drive, it will cost. Might want to contact her to confirm as I"m not 100 % sure. She is based out of Vernal, Ut on the eastern end of the range. We had a friend drop us at McKee draw where we spent the night, then we shuttled in the morning to Leidy peak where we started our hike. Was only about a 40 minute drive through forest roads that way.

[@andrewduncan7643]

Thanks. I will attempt to contact her when the planning begins for this trip. Just finished the Tahoe Rim Trail which was simple in comparison logistically speaking being a loop configuration. This is definitely more problematic. If you happen to know any other ways around shuttling I'm all ears. 👂 @@BeaglesBackcountryAdventures

[@timmayvsjimmay]

What were the dates for yalls trip? I started late in the day on 8/16 and finished 8/22. Some of the most spectacularly wicked weather for me as well. Total blast.

[@bcloetta]

This was great. Wondering how you kept your gear dry. Did you all use pack liners?

[@tcondie36]

Hi Becky, a couple of us had pack liners but we all had lightway dry bags that we use all the time for compression/waterproofing. We'll be coming out with them when the COVID freight issues let up...

[@bcloetta]

@@tcondie36 ok then…sounds like something I need since I have dispensed with all my stuff sacks. Compression is a thing🤣

[@karenpelletier5707]

Geez! Where were your Satu pants and dragon wool base layers? You sell them for heaven's sake!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

You're telling us! We may have been caught a bit off guard on this one. Thanks for watching!

[@zacporter7144]

I had to bail at 10,000 feet this summer. I came straight from Tennessee to the trail without enough time to acclimatize and didn’t take any medications to help with that. I also think I got a stomach bug 2 days before that lingered making it near impossible to eat/drink. That first day with the water carry/altitude is gnarly! Ended up paying a day-hiker for a ride to town. Huge bummer for me, but I felt the need to comment since I’ve been there too. Way to push through as long as you did man!

[@tcondie36]

That sucks! Hopefully you get to go back, we definitely will be!

[@kellyburdette6108]

I was a camp host up at marsh lake this summer and we had a lot of rain in August I know it was not fun I was at 9400 feet and glad I could be close to shelter and a warm trailer in my younger days I did that trail 2 times it can be a journey 😀

[@lewsherman835]

Looks like y'all had the same backpack. I'm wondering how well it worked for you.

[@tcondie36]

Hey Lew, its the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight. Everyone but me had 45L versions and I had the 60L. They were perfect for the trip. It's under 2lbs to start so even with 4.5L of water and enough food to cover 100 miles I was under 30lbs all together.

[@chipkk7868]

I will add that the wind shirts and rain jackets looked very intersting............

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Stay tuned!

[@chipkormas2840]

@@TaysonWhittaker whoo hoo!!!!!!

[@Dzieg12]

I might have missed it, but are those white Dragonwool shirts or something different?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Something different we're testing.

[@zerocool3742]

I think making the hard decisions is more impressive than pulling off the goal.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for the support! We will definitely be back.

[@davidwolfe9281]

How come none of you used the Dominion tents???

[@tcondie36]

We love the Dominion but were testing our next tent release. It's a Trekking Pole Tent that we were hoping to launch this year before all the COVID issues starting slowing things down so much. It'll come out sooner or later though, just not sure when...

[@ericwilson4553]

Do you take some wind pants with you at least now??

[@jeffmeibos7418]

I am starting to lose count of the number of times I had to bail on kings due to weather. Nice job making good decisions and staying safe.

[@brandonsmith1647]

Sorry fellas. Can’t wait until I see the video of you all trying again.

[@kylericco2992]

What time of year was this? Late August?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

yep!

[@BrianAustin74]

Smart decision to bail. Sometimes you eat and the bear and sometimes the bear eats you.

[@Namelessidiot1965]

Do this in the middle of summer😂

[@TaysonWhittaker]

This was August...

[@SouEuIAm]

I remember that snowy week in August. There was another group that was hiking the Highline Trail and had to be rescued. The following week was pretty wet, but not snowy, and the rivers were all running high and fast.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

It was quite an adventure! We were lucky to be in the right spot to have the option of escorting ourselves off the mountain when it became apparent that finishing the trail was no longer an option.

[@JOHNSMITH-bi9hr]

Diamox SIDE EFFECTS Blurred vision, dry mouth, drowsiness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in taste may also occur.