Among the many triple crown mountaineering trails, the Continental Divide Path, also referred to as 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. 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 unending ridgelines, and expansive views at excessive altitudes, the CDT is a bucket-list long-distance hike that’s really unmatched wherever else on the globe.
What Is the Continental Divide?
Additionally known as the Nice Divide, the Continental Divide is the final word hydrological divide of The Americas. It extends from the Bering Strait in northern Alaska (which separates the Pacific and Arctic oceans) all the way in which 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 immediately 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 section for the Pacific Crest Trail started across the completion of the Appalachian Path, within the Nineteen 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 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 probably the most detailed and commonly-used mapset for the CDT, has a major route of (particulars on Ley beneath) that is available in shorter at 2,800 whole miles.
The CDT’s commonest path of journey is northbound, from Mexico to Canada, however the CDT is extra seasonally suited to southbound mountaineering from Canada to Mexico. Southbound hikers usually begin from late June by way of mid July, although that varies based mostly on present seasonal climate circumstances. Anybody mountaineering it ought to carry on high of Snotel experiences on snowpack, together with avalanche conditions.
On a CDT south- or northbound hike, it is advisable 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 generally 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 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 based mostly on hiker suggestions, and produces the maps solely without cost. You’ll be able to contact him straight for entry to the maps at johnathan@phlumpf.com for printable PDF recordsdata. Customers are welcome to donate to Johnathan for his efforts through PayPal on the identical electronic mail tackle.
Ley’s maps are additionally out there for obtain through the free Avenza app, which shows your location utilizing your telephone’s GPS.
The opposite app-based choice that makes use of GPS for navigational help known as Far Out Guides. The app itself is free to obtain, however then it is advisable 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 out there for offline use earlier than leaving WiFi or cell service. Don’t assume the downloads labored, nonetheless; make sure you verify your maps can be found offline by closing the app, placing your telephone in airplane mode, then reopening the app and checking that the downloaded maps are nonetheless out there to view in full decision.
Water and Water Remedy
My technique of alternative for treating water is utilizing an ultralight water filter and carrying chemical remedy as a backup. Water remedy is predicated on private choice and you must do what you’ve already examined, are assured in utilizing, and know works for you. I carry tools for backflushing and it’s one of many city chores I’m spiritual about retaining on high of. As my filter’s circulate charge slows between cities, I’ll catch myself getting too relaxed about staying hydrated. For me, backflushing is crucial to staying secure and performing nicely (aka making miles) within the backcountry.
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I discover chemical therapies helpful for a number of situations specifically:
- I haven’t been in a position to backflush my filter in fairly some time, both attributable to opting out of a city cease, or not accessing potable water on the town. Typically the inevitable occurs and the circulate charge 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 charge filter in hand, simply isn’t price pushing by way of and destroying the circulate charge for the remainder of the part.
- There are recognized or suspected viruses within the water supply. Keep in mind that water filters don’t take away viruses from our water sources. I as soon as bought Norovirus that was recognized to be circulating amongst hikers within the space from a contaminated spring that I filtered from as a substitute of chemically treating.
Resupply and Path Cities
The CDTC provides a CDT Planning Information PDF obtain that’s out there for a prompt donation of $10. Inside there are six full pages of prompt resupply areas to select from.
To slender these down, HalfwayAnywhere.com conducts an annual survey on commonest/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 alternative, maybe one which might want to preserve a level of adaptability and morph as your wants and wishes change alongside the way in which. You probably have allergic reactions or different dietary restrictions, it’s possible you’ll must suppose extra deeply about mailing your self resupply containers to accommodate your wants.
If you happen to err on the aspect of getting fewer restrictions, or benefit from the journey of seeing what’s out there in gasoline stations, normal 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 doubtless 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 ensure:
- The placement remains to be accepting hiker resupply containers. Additionally verify how lengthy they’ll maintain your field, and what info they want written on the surface (resembling title, ETA, and so forth.)
- The placement’s tackle, and the way it must be formatted to include your title
- 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.
- Any charges. Most areas will maintain a resupply bundle without cost, however some cost a price. You could need to inquire about this so as to plan/finances 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, fireplace info) and in addition qualifies you to obtain a CDT hold tag, which should be picked up at choose areas close to the northern and southern terminuses. Registration doesn’t exchange 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 beneath are ordered as in case you are mountaineering north to south.
- Tenting inside Glacier Nationwide Park prices $7 per individual per evening. You’ll be able to start making use of for permits on the park’s web site March fifteenth of the 12 months of your hike. It’s also possible to get your tenting permits the day earlier than (by telephone or stroll up) in the event 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 should 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 the event you select to easily hike by way of. Permits aren’t required for day use in these jurisdictions.
Climate on the CDT
Familiarize your self with summer season circumstances within the Intermountain West (which incorporates all the states alongside the Continental Divide), which has a climate sample of frequent, if not every 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 ability set and equipment. Keep in mind that mountaineering companions could have differing abilities 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 mountaineering group is the precise mileage of the CDT. Why is that this so sophisticated?
As talked about above, the CDT is listed as wherever from 2,700 to three,150 miles, relying on the mix of alternates and official route you tackle this path that totally embraces a “select your individual journey” type 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 good friend, who’s as giddy about accumulating information as he’s about strolling, has conveyed his totals as 2,700 and a pair of,970 miles.
What It’s Prefer 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 totally 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 totally 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 authentic 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. aspect 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 nearly every day, even many occasions every day in some situations, 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 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 season solstice, and it wasn’t totally 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 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 by way of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, we’d 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 gymnasium of tree limbs throughout The Bob, it had received us over a lot we spent the remainder of the path proclaiming: “I’d slightly 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 deal with themselves. Possibly it’s not fairly that easy — 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 present up in my thoughts, a floating head carried by a pair of legs that appear to maneuver themselves, terrain flying by underfoot, earth, bushes and sky all blended collectively in a single seamless blur, myself a visitor and one with it, .
My thoughts may also 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 observe and the miles circulate … typically. Different occasions, it’s like my thoughts desires to plant itself on a rock and pull my physique slowly backward down the mountain. Probably the most attractive 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, nevertheless it’s simple to slide whenever you’re counting miles and digging cat holes each day. Once I hear that inside monolog twist to self doubt, I flip to my interior nurturer slightly than my inside whip cracker. Suppose extra like a form aunt baking cookies and fewer like a crazed circus coach. My objective shouldn’t be a loss of life march; it’s a life dance.
I’ve taken nicely to mountaineering routes slightly than established trails, and I enjoy strolling the path reverse of most so as to take in extra solitude. However even I subscribe to the outdated adage: “It’s in regards to the folks.”
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My ironic reality is that whereas I’m going to the paths to get away (from frontcountry distractions, each day stressors, the drama of the world), what I discover is a deeper figuring out of myself and people I do encounter within the backcountry.
It’s the folks of the CDT who will turn into your fondest recollections, 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 will be my most uncooked and trustworthy with. They’re the folks I’ve had the distinction of laughing with, crying with, climbing with, and straddling numerous blowdowns alongside.