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The Continental Divide Path is likely one of the tougher thru-hikes. I thru-hiked the CDT and perceive not solely how troublesome it’s however what info it’s good to know when planning your CDT thru-hike.
In case you are Via-Mountain climbing the Continental Divide Path in 2024 this complete information ought to reply most of your questions, encourage you to get on the market and scare the crap out of you.
It features a every day CDT Weblog full with cool photographs, info on get to the trailheads on the northern and southern terminus, plus data on maps, apps, resupply, gear guides, permits, and guidebooks. If I missed something, let me know.
Mountain climbing the CDT Path
Via-Mountain climbing the CDT was one of many hardest issues I’ve ever executed in my life. I documented my hike as a every day journal however over time it grew right into a useful resource for anybody else desirous to hike the path. I recorded my CDT Via Hike in my every day journal which included what I used to be seeing and experiencing on the via mountain climbing the Continental Divide Path. Typically I used to be too exhausted to put in writing concerning the day however I persevered. That is the end result.
Anybody considering the CDT Via Hike would possibly discover it helpful to learn all of the weblog posts listed beneath. If after studying the weblog posts you continue to have questions then let me know. I might be pleased to assist any future hiker in any means attainable. Simply let me know.
Continental Divide Path Gear
I used to be definitely not ultralight throughout my thru-hike. My Continental Divide Path Gear Listing will provide you with an thought of the most effective ultralight gear for the CDT.
My gear is continually being changed because it wears out or I look to improve.
Under are evaluations of all the most effective gear thru-hiking gear accessible in the intervening time.
Continental Divide Path Documentary
Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Continental Divide Path Suggestions
NOBO vs SOBO vs Flip
NOBO is mountain climbing Northbound, SOBOB is mountain climbing Southbound and Flip means mountain climbing sections of the path which can be finest suited to the climate for that space. I’ll describe issues a bit higher beneath.
After deciding to backpack the CDT it’s time to contemplate which course to hike. There are benefits and drawbacks of Via-Mountain climbing the CDT northbound, southbound, or finishing a flip-style hike. There is no such thing as a excellent course for the CDT Via Hike. Southbound is the most suitable choice regardless that I hiked Northbound. Make up your thoughts.
Mountain climbing the CDT NOBO
A CDT northbound hiker is suffering from the potential for late-season snows within the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado. Then there are the various thunderstorms in northern New Mexico and Colorado.
Mountain climbing within the snow of the San Juan mountains isn’t any joke. It actually scared the crap out of me. I’m not a mountaineer. It felt extra like Via Mountaineering the CDT than Via-Mountain climbing the CDT. I practically set off 4 moist snow avalanches in in the future it was time to bail from the mountains and take the decrease Creede cutoff route.
Try the San Juan Mountains in June – Extra like Mountaineering!
The path each humbled and dissatisfied me after I needed to bail off the path. My security was extra necessary to me. It is just a matter of time earlier than a Via-Hiker dies whereas mountain climbing early season within the San Juan mountains. Don’t plan on beginning in Colorado earlier than seventh June on the earliest. Be warned.
Via Mountain climbing the CDT northbound has a number of benefits that the southbound hiker doesn’t have. It permits the hiker to begin mountain climbing slowly. Loads of low miles at first to permit their physique to adapt to massive miles. New Mexico can also be very low cost compared to the opposite states, so spending an additional evening or two in a resort to relaxation early on within the hike is cheaper than the opposite states.
CDT Northbound Begin Date
Most thru-hikers begin the Continental Divide Path in late April or early Could. The best begin date for thru-hiking the CDT Northbound can be fifteenth April. This could permit somebody mountain climbing the Continental Divide Path northbound to not rush the path and threat harm.
New Mexico is the most cost effective state for the entire path. Take pleasure in some relaxation days. Beginning slowly it permits the snow to soften in Colorado.
Flip Flop Via Hike of the CDT
The flip-flop methodology is just not the most effective methodology for thru-hiking the CDT. The problem is the quantity of early-season snow that may accumulate in Colorado and Montana makes each choices unhealthy. Additionally, many areas in Idaho and Wyoming are lined in snow in June too.
The San Juan mountains of Colorado are not any place to study mountain climbing within the snow. Hikers may begin the hike a bit slower than they usually would or take a while off in northern New Mexico to permit the snow to soften.
Flipping north has the disadvantages. It would price cash to journey to Montana. Possibly your mountain climbing buddies that you’ve got met on the path don’t wish to go along with you. Worst of all of the path will end at some street junction someplace somewhat than at a monument on the border.
Mountain climbing the CDT Southbound
CDT Southbound hikers are plagued with the potential for late-season snows on the passes in Glacier Nationwide Park. The hiker should begin at a time when it’s secure to journey however early sufficient to offer the hiker sufficient time to get via Colorado earlier than winter units in.
The worst factor about thru-hiking southbound on the CDT is the Bob Marshall Wilderness. It’s a laborious part of path with troublesome resupply choices. Made worse by not being trail-fit and all of the winter storms which have blown down bushes. These won’t have been cleared from the path in June and even July. Making the hike slower than at different instances of the yr.
CDT Southbound makes for very chilly climate in Colorado. Early-season winter storms in Colorado can drive the hiker off the path. Some thru-hikers have died in early winter storms on the CDT. Think about having to street stroll round all essentially the most superb mountains of Colorado and Northern New Mexico due to early-season snow. It’s a chance and may be a safer choice than risking a hike in deep snow.
If I used to be Via Mountain climbing the CDT Path once more I might go southbound. Why? I believe the possibilities of a profitable hike are elevated. Colorado can be brutally chilly which I dislike. I might gear up for the chilly in Colorado. Mountain climbing southbound means being somewhat extra trail-fit at first of the hike in Montana. Lengthy sunlight hours ought to equal fairly massive miles.
CDT Southbound Begin Date
Most hikers begin their southbound hike from mid-June to the top of June. fifteenth June can be the best begin date. The excessive passes in Glacier Nationwide Park can be snow-covered for most individuals beginning on this date and the paths via the Bob Marshall Wilderness can be slower going attributable to all of the winter tree blowdowns that haven’t been cleared. Maintain that in thoughts whenever you decide what number of days of meals you want. It may be slower going than you suppose.
How Lengthy Does it Take to Hike the Continental Divide? Path?
Most thru-hikers will take 5 months to hike the Continental Divide Path. Quicker hikers who’ve accomplished different thru-hikes are assured of their capability and use ultra-lightweight gear will full the path in 4 months. Early-season snow and the early onset of winter make it nearly unattainable to hike this path in 6 months or longer.
What’s the Highest Level on the CDT?
Grays Peak is the best level on the CDT at 14278ft / 4352m. Grays Peak has a simple mountain climbing path to the summit. The largest difficulties of the hike are the climate and altitude.
Attending to the Begin of the Continental Divide Path
Attending to the Southern Terminus of the CDT requires a alternative of three locations to begin or end the CDT within the south. Antelope Wells, Loopy Prepare dinner, and Columbus.Â
The most typical choice to get to or from the southern terminus is to take the Amtrak practice to the city of Lordsburg, New Mexico. Then take the CDTC shuttle Lordsburg to Loopy Prepare dinner.
Antelope Wells is another choice. It’s on Hwy 81 proper on the Mexico border. A hitch or non-public transport can be the one viable approach to get there. Additionally it is the top or begin of the Nice Divide Mountain Bike Route that parallels the CDT. Columbus is simply north of the Mexico border with Greyhound buses servicing the world.
Attending to the Northern Terminus of the CDT
There are two locations to begin or end within the north, Waterton Canada or Chief Mountain. The best approach to get to or from the beginning of the path can be to take Amtrak companies to East Glacier, Montana. From there take the shuttle to Chief Mountain.
For these returning to the USA after the hike. I hitchhiked and was fortunate. The Shuttle runs until mid-September when the border crossing to the USA is closed. You’ll want to examine when issues shut if mountain climbing late or early within the season.
Path Cities and Resupply Factors
I confronted an issue with the CDT. Small-town USA is somewhat crap for offering good nutritious meals.
Many instances a grocery retailer didn’t have something remotely wholesome. No fruit and no greens. All the pieces was packaged crap meals.
My physique suffered from poor diet after about 2000 miles. In a determined second, I ordered protein powder and a big field of Mountain Home meals so as to add at the very least somewhat diet to my eating regimen. It did work.
Superb how nutritious meals could make a distinction with power ranges. For a whole information to resupply on the CDT, together with cities, mileage, mailing addresses, and cellphone numbers, click on the hyperlink beneath.
CDT Guidebook
There are not any good CDT Guidebooks. Yogis Information was once good however hasn’t been up to date in a few years.
Learn my Resupply Information for the Continental Divide Path which I hope to replace for the 2024 mountain climbing season.
Obtain the FarOut Guides to your smartphone for the most effective data on the path, together with maps and path city data.
CDT Permits for Glacier NP and Yellowstone NP
Glacier Nationwide Park has a reservation system for all of the backcountry campsites. Southbound hikers have it simple. They’ll pre-plan their arrival dates and set up permits over the cellphone. Northbound hikers have two choices. Name forward and ebook their websites or flip up on the Again Nation Ranger Station at Two Drugs and organize for permits. Each programs aren’t supreme however it’s the solely means.
Click on right here for additional data on Glacier Nationwide Park Permits.
Backcountry Permits for Yellowstone Nationwide Park are barely irritating for the CDT hiker. Principally as a result of it may be laborious to name forward and pre-plan what campsites they are going to be in.
The most typical choice is to camp simply outdoors the park and hike to the closest backcountry allow workplace to prepare permits. Northbound hikers should hike 27 miles to Grants Village. Southbound hikers should hike 18 miles to Outdated Trustworthy Village.
Click on right here for additional data on Yellowstone Nationwide Park Permits.
Continental Divide Path Maps
Digital and paper maps of the CDT exist however are not often utilized by anybody lately.
My iPhone was my solely type of navigation support after I hiked the CDT. I used to be within the majority. Few hikers carry paper maps, and even fewer have a compass.
The only option of maps is the FarOut Guides which works along with your smartphone. Obtain the maps for offline use.
As for the usage of a devoted GPS unit like a Garmin, I solely noticed one particular person utilizing one on the CDT however most use Smartphones these days.
Instances are altering. Know-how is altering. Utilizing the built-in GPS on the cellphone is the long run. I’m one of many many who’re embracing the long run. Nevertheless it has additionally created a false sense of safety for a lot of hikers. Know-how can fail. Paper maps can blow away within the wind.
To guard my expertise I used a cellphone battery financial institution to maintain issues charged. Extra importantly, I used a Case to guard the cellphone. A damaged cellphone equaled a damaged hiker.
Smartphone Apps for the Continental Divide Path
Farout CDT Information
Nearly each CDT hiker makes use of the FarOut App. The FarOut Information has improved lots in recent times and I can’t consider any purpose why you wouldn’t use it.
Avenza PDF Maps
This app is free, and so are the Ley Maps. Obtain the App and seek for Ley Maps CDT. Activate the situation companies for the App and you’ve got a free mapping App for the CDT.
The benefit of the Ley maps is the alternate routes and mentions of water sources not listed on GutHook. The factor with the CDT is the alternates are oftentimes a extra scenic choice or a shortcut on the path. The ‘Official CDT’ is just not at all times that scenic.
Pocket Earth PRO Offline Maps
To navigate round cities and get me off trails in emergencies or to detour round fires I take advantage of an Offline Topo known as Pocket Earth Professional. I obtain the entire state topo map to my cellphone.
If I have to bail off the path, that is my go-to map. It additionally exhibits inns and eating places and so forth. There are a variety of useful Wiki Journey hyperlinks on the offline maps with data resembling historic websites.
Many individuals use the Gaia App and price it extremely.
CDT Water Report
The CDT water report was once the most effective data for water on the path. It appears now that the FarOut Guides are actually the most effective supply of details about water sources.
The CDT is kind of a dry path. Each state on the path has lengthy sections with little water. The deserts in New Mexico are dry in lots of locations. Cattle ponds and electrical windmills are the one water sources for a lot of miles.
Lots of the excessive ridges within the Rocky Mountains of Colorado even have sections of little or no water. The Nice Basin in Wyoming is infamous for lengthy sections of little water. The identical is true for the ridge-top strolling in Idaho and Montana.
Suffice it to say there are a variety of dry sections on the CDT. FarOut Guides have improved lots and are actually the most effective supply of information.
Snow Situations on the Continental Divide Path
A late-season snow soften will imply many probably harmful conditions. Many an skilled snow hiker has been humbled by a mix of harmful snow, unhealthy climate, and sluggish journey.
Northbound hikers ought to contemplate beginning in Colorado after seventh June. Yearly is completely different however it’s nearly assured that there can be snow to take care of.
The southbound hiker has the benefit of solely actually getting a brief part of snow in Glacier Nationwide Park. Primarily on the Passes. fifteenth June is usually accepted because the most secure begin date for SOBO.
Snow depth chart for the Continental Divide Path
Wildlife on the CDT
Via Mountain climbing the CDT places the hiker able to have wildlife encounters. In 2016 two Via Hikers had been mauled by Grizzly Bears on the CDT. Each lived to proceed mountain climbing. The assaults occurred in the identical space between the Wind River Vary and Yellowstone Nationwide Park in Wyoming. Probably by the identical bear.
The hikers, Zorro and Smiley had been mountain climbing solo and the Bears attacked with little warning. I met each of those hikers whereas on the path. Smiley had notably nasty puncture wounds on his butt.
I had a Grizzly Bear stroll previous my tent in the identical space as I slept. The next morning I found the bear tracks solely 20 ft from my tent. I had my meals in my tent and was not carrying bear spray on the time. Luck was on my aspect, I had a detailed name. I realized my lesson and took precautions after these acts of stupidity.
Grasp meals and carry bear spray between The Nice Basin of Wyoming and the Canadian border.
Rattlesnakes had been frequent in New Mexico and in locations in Wyoming. One attacked my GoPro whereas taking pictures some close-up video! There are additionally Moose, Bison, Wolves, Wolverines, Mountain Lions, and Lynx.
Know Why You Are Via Mountain climbing the CDT
Throughout instances of hardship, you’ll query why you might be doing this to your self. Possibly you haven’t seen one other hiker for a lot of days or survived a winter snowstorm and are working low on meals with many days to hike to the closest city.
Have a severe take into consideration your purpose for mountain climbing the path. For me, it was at all times about nature, the surroundings, the wildlife, and the problem of finishing a tough thru-hike.
High 5 Days on the Continental Divide Path
If I hiked the CDT Once more
If I had been Via Mountain climbing the CDT once more what would I do in a different way?
Firstly, I would like to be Via-Mountain climbing the CDT southbound. It presents a greater likelihood of success for the hiker who has a little bit of path health.
Secondly, I might ship extra meals containers with nutritious meals to a few of the small cities in Idaho and Montana.
Thirdly, I might spend much less time within the path cities of Colorado, they’re costly.
And at last, I might take extra neros and fewer zeros. I had a number of zero days within the path cities.
Journey Insurance coverage for Abroad Via-Hikers
CDT Hikers touring from abroad will want some type of Journey Insurance coverage. Learn the superb print. Particularly in terms of touring at altitude as many suppliers won’t insure you when touring above 3000 meters.
Continental Divide Path Weblog – Pre-Hike Data
Continental Divide Path New Mexico
Continental Divide Path New Mexico is residence to rugged desert mountains and a few of the least expensive path cities on the entire CDT. An important place for northbound hikers to take their time and get path match. Southbound via hikers on the CDT can take pleasure in quick days with massive miles in the event that they so select, or decelerate and benefit from the final weeks on the path. The various Nation Forests make for excellent mountain climbing and tenting.
Continental Divide Path Colorado
The Continental Divide Path Colorado is the coldest part of the entire path, each for the northbound and southbound thru-hiker. Late-season snow and thunderstorms for the northbound thru-hiker and chilly frost and early-season snow for the southbound hikers. Arguably, Colorado is essentially the most visually gorgeous part of the path.
Continental Divide Path Wyoming
The Continental Divide Path Wyoming is a spot for mountain climbing massive miles. From the flat and simple sections of the Wyoming Basin to essentially the most visually gorgeous part of the entire CDT within the Wind River Vary. And allow us to not neglect Yellowstone Nationwide Park. South of Yellowstone Nationwide Park is an space with many Grizzly Bears the place a number of incidents have occurred. Carry Bear Spray and cling meals.
Continental Divide Path Idaho
The Continental Divide Path Idaho brings sections of trails with a seemingly infinite rollercoaster of hills. Fixed up and down mountain climbing within the hills. A few of the resupply cities are troublesome to succeed in. It’s the time when each northbound and southbound thru-hikers might want to make massive miles to keep away from the snow which can be arriving quickly.
Continental Divide Path Montana
The Continental Divide Path Montana has a few of the most gorgeous and troublesome terrain. The rugged sections of path Glacier Nationwide Park and the lengthy resupply sections of the Bob Marshall Wilderness are the highlights. Additionally it is a spot to watch out for Grizzly Bears. hanging meals at evening is a should.
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Benefit from the path.
Cheers Shepherd – PCT15, CDT16, AT17, TA18-19 and nonetheless mountain climbing.
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The creator, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small unbiased adventurer and out of doors gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
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The creator, Brad McCartney is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Learn extra). He was a supervisor of an out of doors retail retailer and may be very skilled in what’s necessary when utilizing and testing gear for evaluations like this.
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