The Continental Divide Path is among the harder thru-hikes. I thru-hiked the CDT and perceive not solely how troublesome it’s however what info that you must know when planning your CDT thru-hike.
If you’re 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 images, info on how you can get to the trailheads on the northern and southern terminus, plus information 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 eager 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 through mountaineering the Continental Divide Path. Typically I used to be too exhausted to jot down in regards to the day however I persevered. That is the consequence.
Anybody considering the CDT Via Hike may 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 blissful to assist any future hiker in any means potential. Simply let me know.
Continental Divide Path Gear
I used to be definitely not ultralight throughout my thru-hike. My Continental Divide Path Gear Checklist offers you an concept of the perfect ultralight gear for the CDT.
My gear is consistently being changed because it wears out or I look to improve.
Under are critiques of all the perfect gear thru-hiking gear out there for the time being.
Continental Divide Path Documentary
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Continental Divide Path Suggestions
NOBO vs SOBO vs Flip
NOBO is mountaineering Northbound, SOBOB is mountaineering Southbound and Flip means mountaineering sections of the path which are 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 take into account which route to hike. There are benefits and downsides of Via-Mountain climbing the CDT northbound, southbound, or finishing a flip-style hike. There isn’t a excellent route for the CDT Via Hike. Southbound is the most suitable choice though I hiked Northbound. Make up your thoughts.
Mountain climbing the CDT NOBO
A CDT northbound hiker is stricken by the potential for late-season snows within the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado. Then there are the numerous thunderstorms in northern New Mexico and Colorado.
Mountain climbing within the snow of the San Juan mountains isn’t any joke. It truthfully 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 sooner or later 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 upset me after I needed to bail off the path. My security was extra vital to me. It is just a matter of time earlier than a Via-Hiker dies whereas mountaineering 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 mountaineering slowly. Loads of low miles firstly 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 night time or two in a lodge 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 perfect begin date for thru-hiking the CDT Northbound could be fifteenth April. This may permit somebody mountaineering the Continental Divide Path northbound to not rush the path and threat harm.
New Mexico is the most affordable state for the entire path. Get pleasure from some relaxation days. Beginning slowly it permits the snow to soften in Colorado.
Flip Flop Via Hike of the CDT
The flip-flop technique will not be the perfect technique for thru-hiking the CDT. The difficulty 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 coated in snow in June too.
The San Juan mountains of Colorado are not any place to study mountaineering 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 should value cash to journey to Montana. Perhaps your mountaineering buddies that you’ve got met on the path don’t wish to go together with you. Worst of all of the path will end at some street junction someplace moderately 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 by way of Colorado earlier than winter units in.
The worst factor about thru-hiking southbound on the CDT is the Bob Marshall Wilderness. It’s a onerous 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 is not going to have been cleared from the path in June and even July. Making the hike slower than at different instances of the 12 months.
CDT Southbound makes for very chilly climate in Colorado. Early-season winter storms in Colorado can pressure 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 probably the most wonderful mountains of Colorado and Northern New Mexico due to early-season snow. It’s a risk and is likely to 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 a bit of extra trail-fit firstly of the hike in Montana. Lengthy daylight ought to equal fairly massive miles.
CDT Southbound Begin Date
Most hikers begin their southbound hike from mid-June to the tip of June. fifteenth June could 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 by way of the Bob Marshall Wilderness can be slower going as a consequence of all of the winter tree blowdowns that haven’t been cleared. Preserve that in thoughts while you decide what number of days of meals you want. It is likely to be slower going than you assume.
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 capacity 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 mountaineering 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 prepare 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 could be the one viable option to get there. It’s also the tip 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 option to get to or from the beginning of the path could 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. Make sure you verify when issues shut if mountaineering late or early within the season.
Path Cities and Resupply Factors
I confronted an issue with the CDT. Small-town USA is moderately crap for offering good nutritious meals.
Many instances a grocery retailer didn’t have something remotely wholesome. No fruit and no greens. All the things 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 least a bit of diet to my weight loss plan. It did work.
Superb how nutritious meals could make a distinction with power ranges. For an entire information to resupply on the CDT, together with cities, mileage, mailing addresses, and telephone numbers, click on the hyperlink beneath.
CDT Guidebook
There are not any good CDT Guidebooks. Yogis Information was 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 mountaineering season.
Obtain the FarOut Guides to your smartphone for the perfect information on the path, together with maps and path city information.
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 straightforward. They will pre-plan their arrival dates and arrange permits over the telephone. Northbound hikers have two choices. Name forward and ebook their websites or flip up on the Again Nation Ranger Station at Two Medication and organize for permits. Each programs usually are not ultimate however it’s the solely means.
Click on right here for additional information on Glacier Nationwide Park Permits.
Backcountry Permits for Yellowstone Nationwide Park are barely irritating for the CDT hiker. Largely as a result of it may be onerous to name forward and pre-plan what campsites they are going to be in.
The most typical choice is to camp simply exterior the park and hike to the closest backcountry allow workplace to arrange permits. Northbound hikers should hike 27 miles to Grants Village. Southbound hikers should hike 18 miles to Outdated Devoted Village.
Click on right here for additional information on Yellowstone Nationwide Park Permits.
Continental Divide Path Maps
Digital and paper maps of the CDT exist however are hardly ever utilized by anybody lately.
My iPhone was my solely type of navigation help 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 together with your smartphone. Obtain the maps for offline use.
As for using a devoted GPS unit like a Garmin, I solely noticed one individual 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 telephone is the longer term. I’m one of many many who’re embracing the longer term. However 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 know-how I used a telephone battery financial institution to maintain issues charged. Extra importantly, I used a Case to guard the telephone. A damaged telephone 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 lately 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 placement 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’ will not be 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 telephone.
If I have to bail off the path, that is my go-to map. It additionally exhibits lodges and eating places and many others. There are a number of useful Wiki Journey hyperlinks on the offline maps with information akin to historic websites.
Many individuals use the Gaia App and fee it extremely.
CDT Water Report
The CDT water report was the perfect information for water on the path. It appears now that the FarOut Guides are actually the perfect supply of details about water sources.
The CDT is sort 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 number of dry sections on the CDT. FarOut Guides have improved lots and are actually the perfect supply of information.
Snow Circumstances on the Continental Divide Path
A late-season snow soften will imply many doubtlessly harmful conditions. Many an skilled snow hiker has been humbled by a mix of harmful snow, unhealthy climate, and gradual journey.
Northbound hikers ought to take into account beginning in Colorado after seventh June. Yearly is completely different however it’s nearly assured that there can be snow to cope with.
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 mostly 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 mountaineering. The assaults occurred in the identical space between the Wind River Vary and Yellowstone Nationwide Park in Wyoming. Presumably by the identical bear.
The hikers, Zorro and Smiley had been mountaineering 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 facet, I had an in depth name. I discovered 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 widespread in New Mexico and in locations in Wyoming. One attacked my GoPro whereas capturing 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’re doing this to your self. Perhaps 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 critical take into consideration your purpose for mountaineering 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 another way?
Firstly, I would like to be Via-Mountain climbing the CDT southbound. It gives a greater probability 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 number 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 plenty 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 high quality print. Particularly with regards to touring at altitude as many suppliers is not going to insure you when touring above 3000 meters.
Continental Divide Path Weblog – Pre-Hike Info
Continental Divide Path New Mexico
Continental Divide Path New Mexico is house to rugged desert mountains and a number of the least expensive path cities on the entire CDT. An amazing place for northbound hikers to take their time and get path match. Southbound through hikers on the CDT can get pleasure from 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 nice mountaineering 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 probably the most visually gorgeous part of the path.
Continental Divide Path Wyoming
The Continental Divide Path Wyoming is a spot for mountaineering massive miles. From the flat and straightforward sections of the Wyoming Basin to probably 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 dangle 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 mountaineering within the hills. A few of the resupply cities are troublesome to achieve. 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 number 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. It’s also a spot to watch out for Grizzly Bears. hanging meals at night time is a should.
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Benefit from the path.
Cheers Shepherd – PCT15, CDT16, AT17, TA18-19 and nonetheless mountaineering.
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The writer, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small impartial adventurer and outside gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
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