Hiking the Continental Divide Trail: Embrace the Brutality

Among the many triple crown climbing trails, the Continental Divide Path, also called the CDT, looms massive. It’s the longest of the three (the opposite two being the Appalachian Path and the Pacific Crest Path), and the unofficial slogan of the CDT is “Embrace the Brutality.” 

At 3,100 miles, together with all doable alternates, its scope is just one of many distinguishing traits that set it aside from its Nationwide Scenic Path siblings. Recognized for alternates that create a choose-your-own-adventure-style hike, colourful water sources (CDT additionally stands for the Cow Dung Path), scrappy climbs, seemingly endless ridgelines, and expansive views at excessive altitudes, the CDT is a bucket-list long-distance hike that’s actually unmatched anyplace else on the globe. 

What Is the Continental Divide?

Additionally known as the Nice Divide, the Continental Divide is the last word hydrological divide of The Americas. It extends from the Bering Strait in northern Alaska (which separates the Pacific and Arctic oceans) all the best way to the Strait of Magellan in southern Chile (which separates the Pacific and Atlantic oceans). The Continental Divide defines the watersheds that drain into the Pacific and Atlantic (and the Arctic). Rain that falls west of the Divide heads to the Pacific, whereas rain that falls to the east drains into the Atlantic.

The Continental Divide Path follows this characteristic as carefully as doable inside its United States boundaries via Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. 

A separate path extends north from the place the CDT terminates on the U.S.-Canadian border to Kakwa Provincial Park.

CDT Historical past

The historical past of American lengthy trails as we all know them at this time began with the formation of the Appalachian Path Convention (now the Appalachian Trail Conservancy) in 1925. The AT was accomplished in 1937, which laid the groundwork for dreaming up and plotting extra lengthy trails for public exploration and pleasure. The preliminary planning part for the Pacific Crest Trail started across the completion of the Appalachian Path, within the Nineteen Thirties. 

Quick ahead to the Nineteen Sixties, when members of the Rocky Mountain Trails Affiliation have been allegedly the primary to start climbing and plotting a route that might finally change into the Continental Divide Path. In 1968 the Nationwide Trails System Act was handed and formally established the Appalachian Path and the Pacific Crest Trails as the primary two Nationwide Scenic Trails. The CDT was added to the roster of Nationwide Scenic trails in 1978. 

However How Lengthy Is the CDT, Actually? 

The quantity “3,100” is the commonest mileage quoted for the entire size of the CDT, whether or not you ask hikers who’ve walked it or seek the advice of the web. It’s additionally the official mileage quoted by the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, the physique that oversees the care and upkeep of the CDT. 

Johnathan Ley, who creates essentially the most detailed and commonly-used mapset for the CDT, has a principal route of (particulars on Ley under) that is available in shorter at 2,800 complete miles. 

The CDT’s most typical path of journey is northbound, from Mexico to Canada, however the CDT is extra seasonally suited to southbound climbing from Canada to Mexico. Southbound hikers usually begin from late June via mid July, although that varies based mostly on present seasonal climate situations. Anybody climbing it ought to carry on high of Snotel stories on snowpack, together with avalanche conditions. 

On a CDT south- or northbound hike, you want to plan on carrying microspikes and an ice axe for situations in Montana and Colorado. Familiarize your self with these instruments and no less than the fundamentals for utilizing them. 

The CDT is usually a path for hikers and equestrians or pack animals, nonetheless some sections are open to biking and motorized use the place the CDT shares tread with different trails and use areas.

Navigation and Maps for the CDT

Johnathan Ley created a whole set of annotated and extremely entertaining printed maps beginning after his personal through hike of the CDT in 2001. He updates the mapset yearly based mostly on hiker suggestions, and produces the maps fully without spending a dime. You may contact him immediately for entry to the maps at johnathan@phlumpf.com for printable PDF recordsdata. Customers are welcome to donate to Johnathan for his efforts by way of PayPal on the identical e mail tackle. 

Ley’s maps are additionally accessible for obtain by way of the free Avenza app, which shows your location utilizing your cellphone’s GPS. 

The opposite app-based possibility that makes use of GPS for navigational assist is known as Far Out Guides. The app itself is free to obtain, however then you want to buy the CDT information from inside Far Out after obtain. The CDT information prices $49.99 for the whole path. Ensure you make all of the maps you want accessible for offline use earlier than leaving WiFi or cell service. Don’t assume the downloads labored, nonetheless; be sure you verify your maps can be found offline by closing the app, placing your cellphone in airplane mode, then reopening the app and checking that the downloaded maps are nonetheless accessible to view in full decision. 

Water and Water Therapy 

My methodology of alternative for treating water is utilizing an ultralight water filter and carrying chemical therapy as a backup. Water therapy relies on private choice and you must do what you’ve already examined, are assured in utilizing, and know works for you. I convey tools for backflushing and it’s one of many city chores I’m spiritual about maintaining on high of. As my filter’s circulate fee slows between cities, I’ll catch myself getting too relaxed about staying hydrated. For me, backflushing is crucial to staying secure and performing properly (aka making miles) within the backcountry. 

Learn Subsequent: Best Backpacking Water Filters

I discover chemical remedies helpful for a number of situations specifically:

• I haven’t been capable of backflush my filter in fairly some time, both attributable to opting out of a city cease, or not getting access to potable water on the town. Typically the inevitable occurs and the circulate fee turns into too low to justify all that squeezing throughout valuable break or tent time. 
• The water supply in entrance of me is visibly stuffed with matter, and even with a excessive circulate fee filter in hand, simply isn’t price pushing via and destroying the circulate fee for the remainder of the part. 
• There are recognized or suspected viruses within the water supply. Do not forget that water filters don’t take away viruses from our water sources. I as soon as obtained Norovirus that was recognized to be circulating amongst hikers within the space from a contaminated spring that I filtered from as an alternative of chemically treating. 

Resupply and Path Cities 

The CDTC presents a CDT Planning Information PDF obtain that’s accessible for a recommended donation of $10. Inside there are six full pages of recommended resupply areas to select from. 

To slender these down, HalfwayAnywhere.com conducts an annual survey on most typical/greatest resupply methods (amongst their surveys on many different thru-hiker and lengthy trail-centric matters) 

Your particular person resupply technique will finally be a private alternative, maybe one which might want to keep a level of adaptability and morph as your wants and wishes change alongside the best way. When you have allergy symptoms or different dietary restrictions, chances are you’ll must suppose extra deeply about mailing your self resupply bins to accommodate your wants.

In the event you err on the facet of getting fewer restrictions, or benefit from the journey of seeing what’s accessible in gasoline stations, basic shops, and huge field shops within the variable dimension cities alongside the path, then a resupply-as-you-go technique could also be for you. 

For many hikers, your private technique will seemingly be some hybrid of mailing your self resupply bins and shopping for as you go. Wherever you select to mail a field is your accountability to personally name and make sure:

1. The placement continues to be accepting hiker resupply bins. Additionally verify how lengthy they are going to maintain your field, and what data they want written on the skin (akin to identify, ETA, and many others.)
2. The placement’s tackle, and the way it must be formatted to include your identify
3. The placement’s hours and days of operation. In rural and distant areas, many areas function on restricted hours, restricted days per week, seasonally, and/or with few workers. 
4. Any charges. Most areas will maintain a resupply bundle without spending a dime, however some cost a charge. You might wish to inquire about this so as to plan/finances accordingly. 

Holding hiker resupply bins is a service to the climbing group and we’re grateful these institutions are keen to accommodate the unique needs of the thru-hiker. 

Permits and Paperwork

The CDTC asks hikers, together with however not restricted to thru-hikers, to voluntarily register their CDT hike on their website. Registering is free, and indicators you up for crucial path alerts (like closures, reroutes, fireplace data) and in addition qualifies you to obtain a CDT dangle tag, which should be picked up at choose areas close to the northern and southern terminuses. Registration doesn’t change use permits you want for sure jurisdictions alongside the CDT. 

Permits 

A number of permits are required to thru-hike the continental divide path. The permits under are ordered as in case you are climbing north to south.

• Tenting inside Glacier Nationwide Park prices $7 per individual per evening. You may start making use of for permits on the park’s web site March fifteenth of the yr of your hike. You can too get your tenting permits the day earlier than (by cellphone or stroll up) in case you don’t wish to be beholden to particular dates far upfront. 
• A Blackfeet Nation Fish and Wildlife Recreation Allow is required for any recreation on the Blackfeet Reservation. 
• Yellowstone Nationwide Park requires permits for backcountry tenting which are $3 per individual per evening. Permits should be obtained not more than 48 hours earlier than your journey and might be obtained at quite a lot of ranger stations and customer’s facilities. 
• The CDT additionally briefly enters Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park and the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Each require backcountry tenting permits that are averted in case you select to easily hike via. Permits should not required for day use in these jurisdictions. 

Climate on the CDT

Familiarize your self with summer season situations within the Intermountain West (which incorporates the entire states alongside the Continental Divide), which has a climate sample of frequent, if not each day, afternoon thunderstorms. Learn your maps the day earlier than, and put together so that you’re not climbing alongside uncovered ridgelines or stopping at highpoints throughout afternoon hours. Proceed to make use of your greatest judgment about your particular ability set and kit. Do not forget that climbing companions might have differing expertise and luxury ranges. Don’t be afraid to suppose independently and advocate for your self in your journey. 

Extra on Alternates and Precise Mileage 

A subject of debate within the climbing group is the precise mileage of the CDT. Why is that this so sophisticated?

As talked about above, the CDT is listed as anyplace from 2,700 to three,150 miles, relying on the mixture of alternates and official route you tackle this path that absolutely embraces a “select your personal journey” type of climbing. The Continental Divide Path Coalition itself says the path totals 3,028 miles. The Far Out app, essentially the most generally used navigational app on the CDT, calls the path 3,050 miles. My thru-hiking engineer pal, who’s as giddy about gathering knowledge as he’s about strolling, has conveyed his totals as 2,700 and a couple of,970 miles. 

What It’s Wish to Hike the Continental Divide Path

Once I began the CDT, I had a posh emotional cocktail brewing inside me. Two years earlier, I had kicked off my lengthy distance climbing profession with the PCT, and inadvertently fallen absolutely in love with the path itself, and the thriving group of individuals and locations the path fosters. Going into it, I had no concept that group even existed. The yr between the PCT and the CDT, I had skilled a deep, private loss that I used to be sure I’d by no means absolutely return from. These two formative forces, each completely out of my management and utterly outdoors of what I had envisioned for myself main as much as that time, finally put me on the trail of selecting to hike the CDT, a re-working of my unique plan to hike the Triple Crown of lengthy distance trails in three consecutive years. 

I began the CDT on the Chief Mountain Port of Entry on the U.S. facet of the road. I had — completely coincidentally — run into three hikers I knew from the PCT two years earlier who all occurred to be beginning the identical day as I used to be, all independently of one another. If it appears too unbelievable to be true, you haven’t but ripped the packaging off a protracted path and seen its sparkly underside. Coincidences like this occur virtually each day, even many instances every day in some cases, and this serendipity was kicking off a protracted line of “the path offering,” as we lengthy distance hikers say. 

In Montana the group of us that had change into a circumstantial path household rolled alongside and progressively picked up different hikers: Quickham, Smokey, and eventually Recon. The early days within the northern Rockies stretched out lengthy earlier than us following the summer season solstice, and it wasn’t absolutely darkish till 11pm. We took benefit, rising our path legs progressively, having fun with lengthy hours to finish our allotted mileage for the day.  Lunch breaks lingered, fires at camp (usually a uncommon, if ever, occasion on a protracted path) and our nightly group read-alouds of Louie L’Amour westerns went till midnight. 

The banter between L’Amour characters shortly grew to become our personal, and as we walked via the Bob Marshall Wilderness, we might curse the blowdowns with shouts of “yellow-bellied” or an much more gratifying, “Rattling it, Bobby.” (A reference to Bob Marshall; no offense, Bobby.) 

By the point we had climbed the jungle health club of tree limbs throughout The Bob, it had gained us over a lot we spent the remainder of the path proclaiming: “I’d quite be straddling a blowdown,” as we zigzagged alongside the CDT.

Through-hiking is a protracted recreation, and an endurance sport. I say that when I’ve reached my peak bodily health once more, or gotten my “path legs” again, the miles maintain themselves. Possibly it’s not fairly that easy — you’ll nonetheless must mine for self-discipline and stamina every morning. The tent gained’t break down itself, and sadly they nonetheless haven’t invented a pack that carries you. However the miles … they circulate. I name it robotic legs. On the CDT, I present up in my thoughts, a floating head carried by a pair of legs that appear to maneuver themselves, terrain flying by underfoot, earth, timber and sky all blended collectively in a single seamless blur, myself a visitor and one with it, all of sudden. 

My thoughts can be my biggest downfall within the frontcountry and backcountry worlds. Like different endurance sports activities, thru-hiking is a psychological recreation. Health comes and the legs comply with and the miles circulate … typically. Different instances, it’s like my thoughts desires to plant itself on a rock and pull my physique slowly backward down the mountain. Probably the most beautiful sundown can land with completely flat have an effect on to the thoughts that’s gone rogue. 

I attempt to be on my whole-body (bodily, psychological, emotional) A-game, however it’s straightforward to slide whenever you’re counting miles and digging cat holes daily. Once I hear that inside monolog twist to self doubt, I flip to my internal nurturer quite than my inside whip cracker. Suppose extra like a sort aunt baking cookies and fewer like a crazed circus coach. My purpose will not be a demise march; it’s a life dance. 

I’ve taken properly to climbing routes quite than established trails, and I enjoy strolling the path reverse of most to be able to soak up extra solitude. However even I subscribe to the previous adage: “It’s concerning the folks.” 

Learn Subsequent: A Beginner’s Guide to Thru-Hiking

My ironic fact is that whereas I am going to the paths to get away (from frontcountry distractions, daily stressors, the drama of the world), what I discover is a deeper understanding of myself and people I do encounter within the backcountry.

It’s the folks of the CDT who will change into your fondest reminiscences, your highest highs, and your tribe for all times. 

To at the present time, the southbound CDT hikers of 2016 are a few of my absolute dearest buddies. They’re the folks I might be my most uncooked and sincere with. They’re the folks I’ve had the dignity of laughing with, crying with, climbing with, and straddling numerous blowdowns alongside.