Continental Divide Path (CDT) Ultralight Gear Record [2024]

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Right here is all the knowledge you’ll need on your ultralight CDT gear record. I used numerous the gadgets on this gear record and have carried out evaluations of many of the gear.

I accomplished my thru-hike of the Continental Divide Path and discovered so much about what gear works and what to keep away from.

When thru-hiking the Continental Divide Path you’ll be conscious that you will want to hold high quality backpacking gear that’s ultralight. When you’re on the path, ensure you are utilizing the Farout Information, formally often called the Guthook App

Check out the CDT gear record under and begin reducing the load of your gear to tackle this epic path.

Finest Ultralight Tent for the CDT

One of the best tent for the Continental Divide Path will probably be ultralight and in a position to hold you heat when wanted. Keep in mind, that is the coldest of all of the climbing triple crown trails. You’ll face many mornings under freezing. One of the best tent for the CDT is any of the tents listed under.

Finest 1P Tent for CDT

Finest 2P Tent for CDT

Finest 3P Tent for CDT

Finest Backpack for the CDT

One of the best backpack for the Continental Divide Path is ultra-lightweight. With such a protracted path you’ll recognize any weight saving that’s attainable. So check out Ultralight backpacks solely.

The backpack for the CDT must also be snug and powerful sufficient to resist months of abuse. I like to make use of a big compactor trash bag to maintain issues dry inside, don’t spend the cash on a heavy dry bag to maintain your stuff dry.

One of the best backpacks for the CDT are:

Finest Sleeping Bag for Via-Climbing the Continental Divide Path

One of the best sleeping bag for climbing the Continental Divide Path is a degree-rated sleeping bag round 10F and 20F. The CDT is colder than many of the different long-distance thru-hiking trails. There will probably be a major quantity of nights properly under freezing. Not too many thru-hikers complain about having a sleeping bag that’s too heat.

Here’s a record of very extremely beneficial ultralight Sleeping Baggage for the CDT.

Any of the sleeping luggage on this record will probably be nice for the CDT. As this path is kind of a bit colder than many different trails a sleeping bag is a greater possibility for most individuals.

Finest Ultralight Quilts for the Continental Divide Path

Ultralight Sleeping Quilts are very talked-about amongst ultralight via hikers. In lots of conditions, they’re a greater light-weight different to a heavier sleeping bag. However they’ve limitations in actually chilly climate. I might not advocate an ultralight quilt for the CDT. In very chilly climate a number of levels under freezing a sleeping bag is extra environment friendly at preserving you heat. When you select to take a Quilt on the CDT, Here’s a record of very extremely beneficial ultralight quilts for the CDT.

Actually, any of the quilts talked about above will probably be nice on the CDT. You will need to perceive that the CDT is a really chilly path and backpacking quilts are not so good as sleeping luggage in very chilly temperatures under freezing. When you sleep chilly then undoubtedly take into account a sleeping bag as a substitute.

Finest Sleeping Pad for the CDT

Being snug at evening results in a very good evening’s sleep. Nothing contributes extra to a very good evening’s sleep than a cushty sleeping pad. Ultralight foam sleeping mats are well-liked on the CDT for his or her light-weight and sturdiness. Can’t get a flat mattress when it’s foam!

Here’s a record of all the very best ultralight Sleeping mats for the CDT.

Footwear is a private alternative. Simply bear in mind that thru-hiking the CDT requires lengthy days of climbing and the very best quality ultralight footwear is finest. Additionally, bear in mind that the CDT is chilly and typically path runners should not the most suitable choice, particularly in Colorado throughout early season snow.

Wait, each different web site tells me path runners are finest for thru-hiking. Sure, I agree, however not when climbing in temperatures under freezing or in knee-deep snow carrying snowshoes.

Contemplate two shoe choices which you can swap out and publish to your self when wanted. Waterproof boots for the chilly snowy sections and ultralight path runners for the dry sections.

For slender ft, the higher choices are Saloman and Brooks. For wider ft, Altra and Merrell are finest.

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the very best footwear and boots for the CDT Via-Hikers are:

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the very best path runners for the CDT Via-Hikers are:

Socks for the CDT

Darn Powerful. Darn Powerful and Darn Powerful. They’re the most well-liked for good cause.

Finest Clothes for the Continental Divide Path

One of the best clothes for thru-hiking the CDT is one thing that includes layers. Whereas there won’t be too many days of utmost warmth or humidity like another path you might be assured will probably be chilly.

Layers that it is best to take embody a puffy down jacket, mid-layer, baselayer, climbing shirts, climbing shorts, and rain gear.

Down Jacket

Fleece Mid Layer

Baselayers

Climbing Shirts

Climbing Pants

Climbing Shorts

Finest Rain Gear for the CDT

Don’t neglect Rain Pants such because the Outside Analysis Helium Pants or the ultralight Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants.

I’ve used the Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon on some trails I adore it. At solely 8 ounces it’s properly well worth the added weight, particularly within the scorching desert of New Mexico, you’ll be able to at all times ship it dwelling from northern New Mexico.

Cookware – Stoves & Pots for the CDT

You’ll recognize a heat meal at evening and perhaps a scorching espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are a number of the finest cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you’ll need for the path.

Water on the CDT

General the water high quality on the CDT is kind of poor. As with nearly each backcountry journey, it is best to deal with the water and carry sufficient on your wants. Whereas on the CDT I received sick twice from not filtering water. Listed here are some beneficial water remedy gadgets, water storage bottles, and bladders.

Trekking Poles for the CDT

To scale back put on in your physique a very good high quality set of trekking poles needs to be used. Listed here are the very best choices for the CDT:

Snow Gear and Bear Canisters for the CDT

The CDT Gear Record ought to embody winter to cope with the tremendous chilly temperatures. The Continental Divide Path is the coldest of the Triple Crown Via Climbing Trails. So be ready for the chilly.

Contemplate snowshoes, microspikes, ice axe, and gaiters if is an enormous snow yr which appears to be most years. You possibly can ship them dwelling when the snow melts.

Cameras and Electronics

With so many electronics that we tackle the path today, it may be arduous to resolve what to take and what to go away behind. Check out a number of the gadgets it’s possible you’ll want and observe the hyperlinks to my detailed guides about which of them are the very best.

• Finest Climbing Cameras for Via-Climbing – For the photographers. Most individuals will probably be completely satisfied sufficient with the standard of their smartphone.
• Finest Battery Financial institution for Via-Climbing – Essential to have a high-quality battery to recharge all of your electronics.
• Finest Climbing GPS – Not wanted for the path as most individuals can navigate OK with a smartphone App.
• Finest GPS Climbing Watch – An increasing number of individuals are climbing with a GPS watch. They’re nice however will want charging each evening so be sure you take a conveyable battery financial institution with you.
• Finest Satellite tv for pc Messenger for the CDT – Extremely beneficial for thru-hiking the CDT. Many individuals get into problem on the path and considered one of these can save your life. In addition they work properly to speak with relations to allow them to know your location.
• USB Wall Charger + Cables.

Different Gear

• Plastic zip lock luggage
• Cash / ID / Credit score Playing cards
• Blister pads
• Strapping Tape
• Foot an infection anti-biotic
• Ibuprofen
• Tweezers
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Security Pin
• Needle
• Deet insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Lip Balm
• Bathroom tissue

I hope this helped together with your planning not directly. When you want extra assist with all the very best light-weight climbing gear then check out my Gear Guides.

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