I go nuts if I don’t do a long distance hike every two years. Seriously, I’m just not worth being around. I console myself by scanning through outdoor blogs, social media and the like, eager for some form of hiking sustenance, satiation for my hungry hiking appetite, even if it’s not me walking the trail.
(Photo credit: tripadvisor.com)
My last thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail was in 2012. In fact, the start date was nearly three years ago. If you’re addicted to the outdoors, and long distance hiking, it’s hard to explain the withdrawal symptoms. Imagine going three months without a beer or a glass of wine. Eventually, there comes a point where you start shaking, speak incoherently, and your friends eye you up cautiously, wondering if it’s safe to approach.
Last year I was close to jetting out to the Sates to attempt the last of the big three hikes over there – The Continental Divide Trail. 3,000 miles long, starting at the Mexican border, and traversing north through the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. For various reasons I postponed it and, you’ve guessed it, I’m not doing the same again this year.
So on April 21st I’ll be standing on the America / Mexico border facing north. I’ll take a deep breath, quickly comprehend what’s ahead of me for six months, check my limited plans, take a sip of water and start heading north to Canada.
(Photo credit: www.continentaldividetrail.org)
I’ll be starting with Charlie ‘Hojo’ Mead who I walked some of the PCT with, along with Patrick ‘Wideangle’ Pondl, who I also met on the PCT, and his wife Ratna. All three are experienced hikers.
The CDT shares similarities with the Pacific Crest Trail, namely the first 700 miles or so is through desert. Once in Colorado, the elevation rockets up to over 14,000 feet in places, and snow enters the equation.
Into Wyoming and taking in the Great Divide Basin, one of many remote sections with little water. The trail also visits Yellowstone National Park. Bearing east into Idaho and up to the Centennial Mountains, this is the land of wild, open spaces, a claustrophobics playground. Finally, and arguable saving the best until last, the CDT terminates at the Canadian border but not before weaving through the majestic Glacier National Park.
(Photo credit: www.continentaldividetrail.org)
It’s a tough one for sure. 260 miles further than the longest thru-hike I have completed, the PCT. Battling cold nights down to minus 12C, only to be hiking in the heat of the desert a couple of hours later. I haven’t even looked at the elevation gain and loss, it’s not going to change so I prefer blissful ignorance. It’s back to the land of rattlesnakes and bears once more.
Ideally, this hike needs to be wrapped up by the end of September, and I hope to finish nearer the beginning. It’s the same old scenario of finishing before the snow hits, as I found out on the PCT in 2010.
Will I be blogging? Of course! I hope to have a post every two weeks, a total of twelve, or thereabouts. I’ll be concentrating more on my photos as well, and I may even do some video.
I’ll be posting a gear list prior to departure, but it’s not likely to be as light as I’d like. Cold weather gear is required for the early stages, and at higher altitudes. Items such as sleeping bags good to minus 12C, warmer sleeping mats, and possibly ice axes and snow shoes will be required not just for the start, but for some parts later as well. I also plan on taking a bridge camera, which is an ideal mix of the features of a DSLR, without the weight and size. As for blogging, I’m not falling into the trap of trying to find a computer every week, so I’ll be taking an iPad Mini. I’ll be relying on some old favourites but some gear needs updating, so I’ll let you know about my choices.
(Photo credit: wyomingpublicmedia.org)
Not only do I intend to be standing at the northern terminus sometime in September, but I’ll also have passed another personal ambition of hiking 10,000 miles. In fact it will surpass 11,000. Oh, and there’s the small matter of earning my Triple Crown of Hiking as well.
Stop by and say hello, follow the journey with me, and if anyone wants to mail me dark chocolate covered almonds, I’ll be even happier.
~ Fozzie
(Photo credit: www.trailjournals.com)