This blog is a place to record the actions, thoughts, stumbles, and adventures that I encounter. My target audience consists of friends and family. Content will be centered on backpacking, but as I have a tendency to wander, other subjects may appear.
In the near term, I am preparing to hike the Continental Divide Trail (“CDT”). It is a hiking route that generally follows the continental divide between Canada and Mexico. The official route is almost 3,100 miles. As far as I can tell, everyone who starts the hike tells everybody the trail is 3,100 miles. My brief study of materials has led me to conclude that absolutely nobody hikes the full length. Instead, using alternatives that have more water, avoid fires or snowpack, or simply taking short-cuts, the “normal”distance is somewhere in the 2,500 to 2,800 miles range.
This will be my first long “through hike.” ( Ironically, in the long-distance hiking community, many terms are shortened. Thus, we have “thru hike” for through hike…a trip between the beginning and ending points…. and “sobo” or “nobo” for southbound or northbound.) I have completed some previous trips and I have been training, so I am not taking off on a lark.
I intend to go southbound. This means leaving the Canadian border in Glacier National Park and walking south. My intent is to reach Mexico. Alive. I will mostly send my food and resupply to locations along the trail.
Before I depart, I should have a few more entries about preparation and planning.
backpacking over the hill 