How to Hike a High Route | Transitioning to Off-Trail Backpacking

[@BigDoeJ424]

One element you should have included is that you generally are only doing about ~40-60% of millage per day, compared to hiking on-trail for the same amount of hours/effort

[@DanStenziano]

Yes good point

[@OutOnTrail]

You packed a lot of information into 11 minutes and presented it in a way that was clear and easy to understand ... Nice to see some "in the field" examples of the concepts you're discussing, also 👍

[@DanStenziano]

Thanks Tom!

[@eaferstl]

You seriously deserve more subs! No one else posts such unique adventures along with extremely relevant information. You’re the 🐐

[@DanStenziano]

Aw thanks. Glad you have enjoyed the videos!

[@csn583]

Mountain 🐐!

[@whistlepig]

I love this. It takes some creativity and will power to put a trip like this together, not to mention to execute it! Well done.

[@livingbythebeach6904]

The hiking tour is so enjoyable…Well captured!😀

[@ervinslens]

Great work man, beautiful video.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Some great info here Dan.

[@csn583]

YHR North Loop this August, let's go! I'll be re-re-watching this one a few more times. Love a scramble but never spent full days off-trail with mileage to hit. Living in the Santa Cruz mountains for a decade I often still struggle to understand what I'm looking at from a viewpoint, so getting to know my own neighborhood with topo maps will be good practice. Considering Vivobarefoot Magna boots instead of my usual Merrell Trail Gloves so I won't constantly be cleaning out my shoes, even with gaiters, plus some water resistance. Gonna be a high-water year! 🏞️

[@DanStenziano]

Hell yeah. Have fun on the YHR!

[@farbeyonddriven8173]

Great job

[@sethbeiden1305]

Thanks Dan. Sierra High Route is on the list, not sure when life will allow it but this video with SURELY be watched again when it's closer. Great content as usual.

[@DanStenziano]

Awesome! Hope you can do it soon.

[@richardmarquardt6246]

Great overview. Most of those skills, as you mentioned, can and should be used on trail hiking. Especially, if you end up having to leave or can't follow the trail due to snow, blowdowns, fires, emergencies etc.

[@DanStenziano]

Couldn't agree more!

[@erichobbs4042]

Due to the difficulty of being able to put together a full through hike on the PCT (time,fires, permit lottery etc) I've been considering the Sierra High Route. I did the JMT about 10 years ago, and I think that it would be cool to do the high route version of this. Thanks for making this video, because it answered a lot of questions for me. I'm going to have to get out and do a bit more rock climbing before next summer to feel comfortable, but luckily I have some pretty decent climbing around me.

[@DanStenziano]

Awesome, glad the video was helpful. If you already have rock climbing experience, I wouldn’t prioritize that in your training. Anything on the high route is easy compared to real climbing. I’d recommend doing plenty of training with a pack, preferably on steep uneven terrain.

[@wanderingoutyonder]

Very nice! Thank you for sharing!

[@hiketheworld81]

Thanks Dan, such well thought out content. Another good way to practice compass navigation no matter where you are is to search for local orienteering events. Within 1-2 events you will get much more comfortable with a compass.

[@DanStenziano]

Great suggestion. That's something I've always wanted to do but haven't gotten around to it yet.

[@rmoran113]

Did Alan’s high route few years back…most incredible,ass kicking trip!! Headed back Wednesday to do skurka’s route….can’t wait! Bringing my dog so plan to take extra slow….. 10 day food carry gonna be a bitch…most dogs I would never attempt but bring a malinois who’s a hiking, climbing machine think he’s definitely prepared.

[@DanStenziano]

Sounds awesome- Have fun out there!

[@katherinestenziano3208]

Very helpful video, I even know more now:)

[@michaelb1761]

Well done. Once I transitioned to off-trail travel a few years ago, I increase the amount of off trail travel every year. It is such a blast (except for boulder/talus hopping). I get a great feeling of accomplishment, especially on a new route that I couldn't find a description for. You showed a couple of places I've been or plan to go to this summer. I have bad memories from Kuna Lake last year as I got sick the day I hiked there and spent the afternoon illegally camped at Kuna Lake in the rain and hail being sick, bad times. Gabbot Pass is part of a planned hike for this summer.

[@DanStenziano]

That sense of accomplishment and mental engagement is what makes it so fun compared to trails. Love the area around Gabbot Pass and Lake Italy. Enjoy your trip this summer!

[@peterwinkler5884]

Thanks for this video, Dan! Your SSHR video inspired me to do the section from Tuolumne to Whitney this upcoming summer and these tips makes me feel a lot more confident. Also very well made, as always!

[@DanStenziano]

That should be an amazing trip! Glad the video was helpful

[@wellseasonedhiker]

Kudos for putting together such a concise video on off trail travel. I'd add that high route (cross country hiking) is something you have to try in limited amounts to see if one is even capable. I've trail hiked with some great backpackers who ended up being frightened on loose rock or talus. Off trail isn't for everyone. For avid backpackers considering off trail I suggest adding in a half day of easy off trail backpacking (like Puppet Pass or Shout Of Relief Pass) to really get a sense of whether it's for you before taking in any high route. Again, kudos for the great video.

[@DanStenziano]

Very true. I still get spooked sometimes on loose rock. It's definitely something to ease into.

[@wellseasonedhiker]

@@DanStenziano we all get spooked now and then. Also, as you're aware, exposure is a special thing that takes experience. And even then it's still scary... easing into it is exactly right. Again great job on the video. When I think about this topic it's so complex. Covering the basics, well I might add, in 10 min. is an amazing feat.

[@kristenspaulding7453]

I loved this video so much! I live in Pinedale and I am planning to solo Big Sandy TH to GRL TH next year, then hopefully solo the Wind River Highline the year after! I have done long loops and treks in the winds, but nothing would compare to the Highline. I saw you also did Texas pass! I am assuming you did the loop into the Cirque and out Jackass? One of my favorites! Thank you for making this such an informative video.

[@DanStenziano]

Thanks! Sounds like fun :) I love Pinedale. We went from Green River to Big Sandy and saw the Cirque on our way out via Texas and Jackass.

[@stephenmetzler3868]

Great video!

[@aspenadams]

Awesome! Thanks for making this. It was super helpful

[@briansaucy4871]

Thanks

[@HikingNerd]

Well produced video Dan, nice job!

[@DanStenziano]

Thanks!

[@Mud_Slide]

Love the infomercial feel when you can't read the map then pull out the compass.

[@jinsjewelry]

Defiantly doing it this summer. Thank you for your very helpful video! 😊

[@DanStenziano]

No problem! Enjoy it and good luck out there.

[@nedanother9382]

Im wondering if you were able to get the SHR hike done last year? I'm trying to get the first section done this summer ('23). Looking to tag along with someone - trying not to do my first off trail solo. cheers

[@ChadLubinski]

THIS WAS GREAT!!!

[@DanStenziano]

Thanks! 😀

[@ChadLubinski]

@@DanStenziano quick question: how long would you expect it to take someone to complete Skurka's version of the WRHR that has many miles of thru hiking experience but only a bit of off trail experience? For example: it took us all day to go 13 miles with 7,400 ft of vert on the Alpine Lakes High Route. I know that's a very specific question but I'm just trying to ballpark my itinerary! Thanks in advance man!

[@DanStenziano]

@@ChadLubinski 7400 feet of vert in a day is pretty big. I find it hard to do much more than that whether it’s over 15 miles or 30. On Skurkas blog he’s always recommending basing high route mileage on the vertical. The good news is you generally won’t hit 7k vert in such a short distance on the WRHR (definitely not on Dixon, and I don’t think on Skurka but not sure). Navigation can also slow you down especially if you haven’t done a ton of off trail. I usually recommend 50% of max on trail mileage as a starting point, but this can vary day to day. All that said maybe aim for ~8 days or less?

[@ChadLubinski]

@@DanStenziano exactly what were thinking for days.. thanks dude!!

[@billjames3148]

good common sense video. Glad you did not get off on the gear OMG . I still not sure why people do speed climb and trail travel. I did 20mile in 5 days, why the fishing was great and had time to cook and enjoy it. The Wind River high route is a difficult hike. 10 days if your a speeder or an old fart and do it in 14 with 20 days of food. Again good video.

[@jeffbaker123]

Hi @danstanziano Just curious if you’ve done the KCHBR. I’m about to embark on it solo and would love your trip/video report

[@DanStenziano]

I did try it in 22. Had to bail because my friend had altitude sickness. I do have a video about the trip. Good luck on your trip! Hope it goes well. KCHBR is a great route

[@meeskman7410]

Hi Dan, great video! I thought you super sierra video was awesome and that seems like the trip of a lifetime. I wanted to start hiking off trail on high routes and wanted to ask if you knew of any good off-trail routes through the Angeles National Forest/ San Bernardino Mountains (they are not quite as high up as the Sierras, but my local mountain range). More than that though, what tools would you recommend someone use to find these routes?

[@DanStenziano]

Hmm, I don’t know of any off hand, and seemingly neither does google or my friend who used to live in LA. You could certainly come up with something, perhaps using areas around the PCT as a starting point and focusing on ridge lines. I think the issue you’d encounter is a lot of trees and brush because of the elevation. As far as tools, I would use caltopo to make a route. You can turn on slope angle shading to quickly identify areas that are not steep, and also try to look for areas that are not green on the base map to try and avoid brush.

[@meeskman7410]

@@DanStenziano Thanks for checking! I'll take a look at caltopo and get out to the Sierras once some more of the snow melts!

[@DanStenziano]

Nice! I saw someone on Instagram do some off trail in golden trout wilderness recently. There’s still snow but it will melt out before the high Sierra and is a little closer to you.

[@sweetbodhisoul891]

Hi Dan! I am wondering about the maps you use, do you make your own using something like CalTopo? Thanks for any info you could provide :)

[@DanStenziano]

If I’m doing a route I drew up myself then I’ll make maps with caltopo. But if there is a premade set for a route available then I will use that. For each of the routes in this video I bought or downloaded the premade maps

[@sweetbodhisoul891]

thank you! @@DanStenziano

[@joez4284]

I'm also in the north-east, Toronto actually. Great suggestion for the Adirondacks. Besides Saddleback - any other peaks you recommend for training?

[@DanStenziano]

Most if not all of the mountains in the Great Range present some good scrambling opportunities. They're also pretty tough in general, so great for training.

[@andyveres3982]

Yeah boyyyyyy

[@matthewamedio1786]

Danny!

[@tylerwiessner6891]

pepperoni tony wins again