South Lake Tahoe teen accomplishes solo Tahoe Rim Trail trek in eight days

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Tackling the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) by yourself isn't always on someone's bucket list, but for 18-year-old Jeffery Chavarria of South Lake Tahoe, it was a 173-mile experience over eight days and five hours that now has a checkmark next to it.

Jeffery graduated from South Tahoe High in June, has spent the summer working at Pine Nut/SUP Tahoe, and is heading to the Lake Tahoe Fire Academy in October. Before hitting the books again, he and a friend had planned the trip to hike around the perimeter of the Lake Tahoe Basin on the TRT, but his buddy had to back out at the last minute and Jeffery went ahead and did it solo.

The South Lake Tahoe native was a wrestler and played football and baseball. He spent endless days in the high school's conditioning room training for sports. He said he learned the mental strategies of powering through the pain, something that was valuable on the TRT.

It was the mental part of the hike that surprised Jeffery, and after a tough first day, he did a lot of thinking. He said he underestimated the size of his backpack and the length of each day's hike to finish the 173 miles in the nine days he gave himself. Jeffery said he was rethinking his decision to hike alone after the first day on the trail, September 5. On day two Jeffery contemplated heading home when he met a trail angel who not only gave him a granola bar but also talked to him and helped "hype" him up.

He was also able to call his sister and share his feelings.

"It got easier," said Jeffery at the start of the third day. "It was all smooth sailing and I enjoyed it more."

The teen said he loved the sunrises and stars after that.

His 'Aha' moment of the trip was one of personal enlightenment and realizing his body used a more mental approach than a physical one. He equated that moment with natives who would send their kids out for a coming-of-age experience. Jeffery said they'd detox the old life, and he went through that on that now-pivotal second day.

"I figured my body used a more mental than physical approach," said Jeffery. "I spent 80 percent of the time thinking about what I was going to think about."

Jeffery had packed one change of clothes, first aid and blister kits, a bear canister for food, a tent, a sleeping bag, and a windbreaker. He took dehydrated meals and fruit, instant oatmeal, and a couple of cans of food. Also in the pack was a notepad in which he wrote a "daily debrief."

He carried 4 liters of water except for the stretch on the North Shore that didn't have a lot of natural streams - then he carried 7 liters. He said he found plenty of water along most of the trail.

Jeffery grew up hiking to the lakes around Tahoe, some for 1-2 nights, and in Boy Scouts, it was a one-mile hike to a destination - not the constant hiking he was doing along the TRT.

He started and ended the journey at Echo Lake. He met a few hikers on the overlapping segment with the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), but that 2,650-mile trail is not something he has a desire to do.

A couple of times Jeffery said he lost the trail but quickly got back on track. One key he looked for were hiking shoe imprints and trekking pole plants, and looking for trails without bicycle tire tracks. He also referred to his "All Trails" app.

As he rounded the lake and hit Spooner Summit, the home stretch was in site and he was seeing familiar areas.

"Although I was somewhat nervous about his solo adventure, I am beyond proud but more impressed with the strength, endurance, and passion he has to make this happen," said Jeffery's mom Crystal. "Our whole family was able to be involved in this experience at different points of the journey and it has been incredibly memorable to be part of something life-changing. He truly has inspired all of us."

When asked if he'd be hiking the TRT again, he quickly said he wouldn't do it alone again, and he'd take his time with shorter hiking days and longer stays at spots on the trail. This time his hiking days were anywhere from 10 miles to 28 miles.

"Doing it with people would be really fun," he added.

Jeffery said he'd like to travel after the academy, maybe a ski spot but most definitely warm beach areas.

Happy 19th birthday at the end of the month Jeffery, and congratulations!