I have committed to hiking the Continental Divide Trail starting in June, 2016. Here is a little bit more information about the trail and why I selected it.
What does CDT stand for?
The most relevant meaning of CDT is the Continental Divide Trail. It connects the northern and southern borders of the United States while striving to stay as high as possible along the Continental Divide of the U.S. Officially, it is the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as defined by the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS lists 10 National Scenic Trails. Most people familiar with backpacking in the United states think of the three main north-south routes: the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails. Completion of the three main trails earns the title of “Triple Crown” although as American Pharoah might clarify, it is a backpacking triple crown.
The route crosses all forms of land ownership. While mostly on federal government lands, the trail also crosses state and private land. It combines formally marked trails with roads, paths, and, at times, sketchy bushwhacks. Indeed, there are actually a variety of routes one can take that fulfill the spirit of the trail compared to the formal “official” 3,100 route. My brief survey of southbound hikers who kept journals on either Trail Journals or Postholer between 2006 and 2014 found that there were 38 succesful completions. Of these the average trail distance was 2,491 miles and they completed with an average time of 141 days. (Aside: I noticed an inverse correlation between the amount of pre-hike journal posting and the likelihood of success. Thus, I will try to only write a few pre-hike blog entries to avoid jinxing my trip.)
Who manages the CDT?
There is an umbrella non-profit organization that attempts to coordinate all matters concerning the CDT. Although the NPS has overall stewardship of the National Scenic Trails, it relies on non-profit groups to actually coordinate the day-to-day management of trails. In the case of the CDT, It is the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC). I have donated money over the last few years and hope that others will also contribute as the CDTC leads lobbying, trail maintenance, and community relations efforts. I did receive a t-shirt from them with their motto: Brave the CDT.
Besides Central Daylight Time, CDT is also the acronym for Clostridium Difficile Toxin. I had that little bacterial gut bomb after my appendectomy several years ago. You can look up the symptoms and treatments yourself, otherwise you can take my word that having CDT makes you feel crappy. I recovered and now hope to complete this hike and Brave the CDT a second time.
backpacking over the hill 