Hiking the Continental Divide Trail: Embrace the Brutality

Among the many triple crown mountaineering 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 attainable alternates, its scope is simply one of many distinguishing traits that set it other than its Nationwide Scenic Path siblings. Identified 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 unending 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 intently as attainable inside its United States boundaries by way of 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 in the present day 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 delight. The preliminary planning part for the Pacific Crest Trail started across the completion of the Appalachian Path, within the Thirties. 

Quick ahead to the Sixties, when members of the Rocky Mountain Trails Affiliation have been allegedly the primary to start mountaineering and plotting a route that may finally turn 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 full 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 probably the most detailed and commonly-used mapset for the CDT, has a important route of (particulars on Ley under) that is available in shorter at 2,800 complete miles. 

The CDT’s most typical route of journey is northbound, from Mexico to Canada, however the CDT is extra seasonally suited to southbound mountaineering from Canada to Mexico. Southbound hikers typically begin from late June by way of mid July, although that varies primarily based on present seasonal climate circumstances. Anybody mountaineering it ought to carry on prime of Snotel studies on snowpack, together with avalanche conditions. 

On a CDT south- or northbound hike, it’s worthwhile to plan on carrying microspikes and an ice axe for circumstances in Montana and Colorado. Familiarize your self with these instruments and at the least the fundamentals for utilizing them. 

The CDT is usually a path for hikers and equestrians or pack animals, nevertheless 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 an entire set of annotated and extremely entertaining printed maps beginning after his personal through hike of the CDT in 2001. He updates the mapset yearly primarily based on hiker suggestions, and produces the maps totally at no cost. You possibly can contact him straight for entry to the maps at johnathan@phlumpf.com for printable PDF information. Customers are welcome to donate to Johnathan for his efforts by way of PayPal on the identical e-mail handle. 

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 help known as Far Out Guides. The app itself is free to obtain, however then it’s worthwhile to buy the CDT information from inside Far Out after obtain. The CDT information prices $49.99 for your complete path. Be sure 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, nevertheless; make 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 Remedy 

My technique of selection for treating water is utilizing an ultralight water filter and carrying chemical remedy as a backup. Water remedy is predicated on private desire and you must do what you’ve already examined, are assured in utilizing, and know works for you. I carry gear for backflushing and it’s one of many city chores I’m non secular about maintaining on prime of. As my filter’s circulate price slows between cities, I’ll catch myself getting too relaxed about staying hydrated. For me, backflushing is important to staying protected 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 on account of opting out of a city cease, or not getting access to potable water on the town. Generally the inevitable occurs and the circulate price turns into too low to justify all that squeezing throughout treasured break or tent time. 
• The water supply in entrance of me is visibly stuffed with matter, and even with a excessive circulate price filter in hand, simply isn’t price pushing by way of and destroying the circulate price 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 received 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 provides a CDT Planning Information PDF obtain that’s accessible for a steered donation of $10. Inside there are six full pages of steered resupply places to select from. 

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

Your particular person resupply technique will in the end be a private selection, maybe one which might want to preserve a level of adaptability and morph as your wants and wishes change alongside the best way. In case you have allergy symptoms or different dietary restrictions, you could must assume extra deeply about mailing your self resupply containers to accommodate your wants.

If you happen to 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 probably be some hybrid of mailing your self resupply containers and shopping for as you go. Wherever you select to mail a field is your duty to personally name and make sure:

1. The placement remains to be accepting hiker resupply containers. Additionally verify how lengthy they may maintain your field, and what info they want written on the surface (corresponding to title, ETA, and many others.)
2. The placement’s handle, and the way it must be formatted to include your title
3. The placement’s hours and days of operation. In rural and distant areas, many places function on restricted hours, restricted days per week, seasonally, and/or with few staff. 
4. Any charges. Most places will maintain a resupply package deal at no cost, however some cost a price. You could need to inquire about this to be able to plan/price range accordingly. 

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

Permits and Forms

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 vital path alerts (like closures, reroutes, hearth info) and likewise qualifies you to obtain a CDT cling tag, which have to be picked up at choose places 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 mountaineering north to south.

• Tenting inside Glacier Nationwide Park prices $7 per individual per evening. You possibly can start making use of for permits on the park’s web site March fifteenth of the 12 months of your hike. You may as well get your tenting permits the day earlier than (by cellphone or stroll up) in case you don’t need 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 can be $3 per individual per evening. Permits have to be obtained not more than 48 hours earlier than your journey and will 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 prevented in case you select to easily hike by way of. Permits will not be required for day use in these jurisdictions. 

Climate on the CDT

Familiarize your self with summer time circumstances within the Intermountain West (which incorporates all the 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 mountaineering alongside uncovered ridgelines or stopping at highpoints throughout afternoon hours. Proceed to make use of your finest judgment about your particular talent set and equipment. Do not forget that mountaineering companions might have differing expertise and luxury ranges. Don’t be afraid to assume independently and advocate for your self in your journey. 

Extra on Alternates and Precise Mileage 

A subject of debate within the mountaineering 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 mix of alternates and official route you tackle this path that absolutely embraces a “select your personal journey” fashion of mountaineering. The Continental Divide Path Coalition itself says the path totals 3,028 miles. The Far Out app, probably the most generally used navigational app on the CDT, calls the path 3,050 miles. My thru-hiking engineer buddy, who’s as giddy about accumulating information 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 mountaineering 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 12 months 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 fully outdoors of what I had envisioned for myself main as much as that time, in the end 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 an extended path and seen its sparkly underside. Coincidences like this occur virtually each day, even many occasions every day in some cases, and this serendipity was kicking off an extended line of “the path offering,” as we lengthy distance hikers say. 

In Montana the group of us that had turn into a circumstantial path household rolled alongside and regularly picked up different hikers: Quickham, Smokey, and at last Recon. The early days within the northern Rockies stretched out lengthy earlier than us following the summer time solstice, and it wasn’t absolutely darkish till 11pm. We took benefit, rising our path legs regularly, 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 an extended path) and our nightly group read-alouds of Louie L’Amour westerns went till midnight. 

The banter between L’Amour characters rapidly grew to become our personal, and as we walked by way of 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 received us over a lot we spent the remainder of the path proclaiming: “I’d somewhat be straddling a blowdown,” as we zigzagged alongside the CDT.

Via-hiking is an extended sport, 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 handle themselves. Possibly it’s not fairly that straightforward — you’ll nonetheless must mine for self-discipline and stamina every morning. The tent received’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 current 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 may also be my biggest downfall within the frontcountry and backcountry worlds. Like different endurance sports activities, thru-hiking is a psychological sport. Health comes and the legs comply with and the miles circulate … generally. Different occasions, it’s like my thoughts needs to plant itself on a rock and pull my physique slowly backward down the mountain. Probably the most beautiful sundown can land with totally 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 while you’re counting miles and digging cat holes daily. Once I hear that inner monolog twist to self doubt, I flip to my internal nurturer somewhat than my inner whip cracker. Assume extra like a sort aunt baking cookies and fewer like a crazed circus coach. My objective shouldn’t be a demise march; it’s a life dance. 

I’ve taken properly to mountaineering routes somewhat than established trails, and I enjoy strolling the route reverse of most with a purpose to take in extra solitude. However even I subscribe to the previous adage: “It’s concerning the individuals.” 

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

My ironic reality is that whereas I’m 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 individuals of the CDT who will turn into your fondest reminiscences, your highest highs, and your tribe for all times. 

To today, the southbound CDT hikers of 2016 are a few of my absolute dearest mates. They’re the individuals I will be my most uncooked and sincere with. They’re the individuals I’ve had the consideration of laughing with, crying with, climbing with, and straddling numerous blowdowns alongside.