Thanks for taking the time to find me and see what I'm up to these days. That's precisely the purpose of this blog. For anyone just tuning in, this will be my second through hike, after completing the Pacific Crest Trail in the summer of 2013. This time around I'll be hiking the Continental Divide Trail. I've included a link to the Continental Divide Trail Coalition's website above for anyone interested in learning more about the trail. We live in an age of information and I trust you all know how to Google something if you're curious, but for the sake of simplicity here are some answers to the common questions I get when I tell people I'm doing this:
So I think that's about it when it comes to the usual questions. I hope that helps anyone less familiar with long-distance hiking. And thanks again for taking the time to learn about this passion that I've found in my life. I have so many people to thank for supporting me that it could take a few pages, but the condensed version is my family: Mom, Tom, Sandy, Kate, Shan, Harvey and Lisa; my buddy, Stafford, who is rad and put me up for the winter; all my 2013 PCT homies (¡Viva El Choo!); my work friends, old and new (Sound Grounds, Mt. Bachelor); and my sweetheart, Laura, who had to hear about this obsession of mine more than anyone else, and who stood by me through everything unconditionally.
Anyway, soon I board a plane to Phoenix, then a bus, then a shuttle to the border and begin walking... I hope you find a moment here or there to look at my photos and follow along with my journey as it unfolds. Also, for anyone interested, I've included a list of town stops and approximate arrival dates for when I'll be passing through them. Any form of contact will be most welcome and I'd love to hear from you this summer if you have time! Please give me a heads-up though if you do send anything in the mail so I can know to expect it when I get to town.
-Grady
P.S. I won't have time to respond to comments on the blog, but please feel free to leave them and know I'll eventually read them. Remember, I will mostly be posting when I get to town, and loading pictures can be very time consuming. Plus, we all know that I'm going to need that precious town time to EAT FOOD! ;) The easiest and best way to contact me directly is by texting or calling and leaving a message. An email will also work fine. Below is my contact information:
cell: (971) 222-6457 email: [email protected]
- Yes, I'm hiking alone. Almost all thru-hikers are solo hikers and must be prepared to hike alone whenever need be. However, this year I'll be starting out with two amazing friends that I met on the PCT, Meg and Jess. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to start with them and I know a lot of other awesome folks hiking this year as well, like my friends, James and Jennifer (also 2013 PCT alumni).
- The CDT is roughly 3,000 miles long depending on route choices and travels through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.
- It'll take us about 5 months to reach the Canadian border, heading north from the border of Mexico.
- Most people head north, but southbound is an option as well. Often times the major factors contributing to people's decision on this one are either weather (snow melt) or schedule conflicts (i.e., school).
- We'll average about 20-25 miles a day when the hiking is less challenging, and less than that when the terrain, weather or route-finding slows us down.
- Bears, moose, rattlesnakes and other potentially dangerous wildlife are taken seriously. For example, I'll definitely be carrying bear mace in Montana. (No, I won't be carrying a gun...)
- My backpack will weigh about 15 lbs without food and water, and upwards of 25-35 with food and water.
- I'll be wearing trail runners (lightweight running shoes with beefy tread) to hike in and I'll probably burn through about five pairs in total.
- I will be using a type of GPS on my cell phone. This year a phone app by Guthook Guides was released for the CDT. I used the same version for the PCT and it is simple and works great! Most of the time though, I will be relying on good old fashioned paper maps and a compass. I'll also be using my phone as my camera.
- For the most part, water sources aren't too much of a problem along the CDT, but we'll be caching water ahead of time for the first 100 miles or so of New Mexico. Big thanks to the CDTC for providing this service and many others, such as providing shuttles to the border from Lordsburg, NM.
- I don't carry a water filter (like a Sawyer). Instead I opt to use a liquid drop water treatment called Aqua Mira (chlorine dioxide).
- For power I will carry a rechargeable, external battery. Solar-powered chargers are definitely an option, but I don't prefer them.
- We will be able to stop into town every 30-100 + miles to refresh and buy food/supplies. Sometimes the trail walks right through town, other times it requires hitching as far as 30 miles to the nearest resupply. It's totally doable to resupply as you go and send yourself boxes ahead up the trail. I'm somewhat forced to be pickier about food after being diagnosed with Celiac disease (no gluten) following my PCT hike, so...
- I will be having someone send me food and supplies from home as necessary and to supplement my diet. My younger sister has graciously volunteered to take on this task, and will also hopefully be joining me for a couple of weeks in Colorado - thanks, Shan! :)
So I think that's about it when it comes to the usual questions. I hope that helps anyone less familiar with long-distance hiking. And thanks again for taking the time to learn about this passion that I've found in my life. I have so many people to thank for supporting me that it could take a few pages, but the condensed version is my family: Mom, Tom, Sandy, Kate, Shan, Harvey and Lisa; my buddy, Stafford, who is rad and put me up for the winter; all my 2013 PCT homies (¡Viva El Choo!); my work friends, old and new (Sound Grounds, Mt. Bachelor); and my sweetheart, Laura, who had to hear about this obsession of mine more than anyone else, and who stood by me through everything unconditionally.
Anyway, soon I board a plane to Phoenix, then a bus, then a shuttle to the border and begin walking... I hope you find a moment here or there to look at my photos and follow along with my journey as it unfolds. Also, for anyone interested, I've included a list of town stops and approximate arrival dates for when I'll be passing through them. Any form of contact will be most welcome and I'd love to hear from you this summer if you have time! Please give me a heads-up though if you do send anything in the mail so I can know to expect it when I get to town.
-Grady
P.S. I won't have time to respond to comments on the blog, but please feel free to leave them and know I'll eventually read them. Remember, I will mostly be posting when I get to town, and loading pictures can be very time consuming. Plus, we all know that I'm going to need that precious town time to EAT FOOD! ;) The easiest and best way to contact me directly is by texting or calling and leaving a message. An email will also work fine. Below is my contact information:
cell: (971) 222-6457 email: [email protected]