Right here is all the knowledge you will want in your ultralight CDT gear record. I used a variety of the objects on this gear record and have carried out opinions of a lot of the gear.
I accomplished my thru-hike of the Continental Divide Path and realized lots about what gear works and what to steer clear of.
When thru-hiking the Continental Divide Path you may be conscious that you’ll want to hold high quality backpacking gear that’s ultralight. If you end up on the path, be sure to are utilizing the Farout Information, formally often known as 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
The most effective tent for the Continental Divide Path can be ultralight and capable of hold you heat when wanted. Keep in mind, that is the coldest of all of the mountain climbing triple crown trails. You’ll face many mornings under freezing. The most effective 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
The most effective backpack for the Continental Divide Path is ultra-lightweight. With such an extended path you’ll respect any weight saving that’s potential. So check out Ultralight backpacks solely.
The backpack for the CDT must also be snug and robust sufficient to face up to 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.
The most effective backpacks for the CDT are:
Finest Sleeping Bag for Via-Climbing the Continental Divide Path
The most effective sleeping bag for mountain climbing the Continental Divide Path is a degree-rated sleeping bag round 10F and 20F. The CDT is colder than a lot of the different long-distance thru-hiking trails. There can be a major quantity of nights effectively under freezing. Not too many thru-hikers complain about having a sleeping bag that’s too heat.
Here’s a record of very extremely really useful ultralight Sleeping Luggage for the CDT.
Any of the sleeping baggage on this record can be nice for the CDT. As this path is sort 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 extremely popular amongst ultralight via hikers. In lots of conditions, they’re a greater light-weight various 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 holding you heat. When you select to take a Quilt on the CDT, Here’s a record of very extremely really useful ultralight quilts for the CDT.
Truthfully, any of the quilts talked about above can be nice on the CDT. You will need to perceive that the CDT is a really chilly path and backpacking quilts are inferior to sleeping baggage in very chilly temperatures under freezing. When you sleep chilly then undoubtedly contemplate a sleeping bag as an alternative.
Finest Sleeping Pad for the CDT
Being snug at night time results in a superb night time’s sleep. Nothing contributes extra to a superb night time’s sleep than a cushty sleeping pad. Ultralight foam sleeping mats are in style 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 one of the best ultralight Sleeping mats for the CDT.
Footwear is a private selection. Simply bear in mind that thru-hiking the CDT requires lengthy days of mountain climbing and the highest quality ultralight footwear is finest. Additionally, bear in mind that the CDT is chilly and generally path runners usually are not the best 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 mountain climbing in temperatures under freezing or in knee-deep snow sporting snowshoes.
Think about two shoe choices that you would be able to 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 slim ft, the higher choices are Saloman and Brooks. For wider ft, Altra and Merrell are finest.
Listed below are my 3 suggestions for one of the best footwear and boots for the CDT Via-Hikers are:
Listed below are my 3 suggestions for one of the best path runners for the CDT Via-Hikers are:
Socks for the CDT
Darn Robust. Darn Robust and Darn Robust. They’re the most well-liked for good motive.
Finest Clothes for the Continental Divide Path
The most effective clothes for thru-hiking the CDT is one thing that includes layers. Whereas there is not going to be too many days of maximum warmth or humidity like another path you could be assured will probably be chilly.
Layers that it’s best to take embrace a puffy down jacket, mid-layer, baselayer, mountain climbing shirts, mountain 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 overlook 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 like it. At solely 8 ounces it’s effectively definitely worth the added weight, particularly within the sizzling desert of New Mexico, you may at all times ship it dwelling from northern New Mexico.
Cookware – Stoves & Pots for the CDT
You’ll respect a heat meal at night time and perhaps a sizzling espresso or tea within the morning. Listed below are a few of the finest cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you will want for the path.
Water on the CDT
General the water high quality on the CDT is sort of poor. As with nearly each backcountry journey, it’s best to deal with the water and carry sufficient in your wants. Whereas on the CDT I acquired sick twice from not filtering water. Listed below are some really useful water therapy gadgets, water storage bottles, and bladders.
Trekking Poles for the CDT
To scale back put on in your physique a superb high quality set of trekking poles ought to be used. Listed below are one of the best choices for the CDT:
Snow Gear and Bear Canisters for the CDT
The CDT Gear Record ought to embrace winter to take care of the tremendous chilly temperatures. The Continental Divide Path is the coldest of the Triple Crown Via Climbing Trails. So be ready for the chilly.
Think about snowshoes, microspikes, ice axe, and gaiters if is a giant snow 12 months which appears to be most years. You’ll be able to ship them dwelling when the snow melts.
Cameras and Electronics
With so many electronics that we tackle the path today, it may be exhausting to determine what to take and what to depart behind. Check out a few of the objects chances are you’ll want and observe the hyperlinks to my detailed guides about which of them are one of the best.
- Finest Climbing Cameras for Via-Climbing – For the photographers. Most individuals can be joyful 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 persons are mountain climbing with a GPS watch. They’re nice however will want charging each night time so make sure you take a transportable battery financial institution with you.
- Finest Satellite tv for pc Messenger for the CDT – Extremely really useful for thru-hiking the CDT. Many individuals get into issue on the path and considered one of these can save your life. In addition they work effectively to speak with members of the family to allow them to know your location.
- USB Wall Charger + Cables.
Different Gear
- Plastic zip lock baggage
- 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 in a roundabout way. When you want extra assist with all one of the best light-weight mountain climbing gear then check out my Gear Guides.
What Dimension Backpack For The Continental Divide Path?
The most effective measurement backpack for the Continental Divide Path is round 50 liters. There are a few sections with very lengthy meals and water carries however 50L is the candy spot. Don’t be a type of hikers beginning with a 70-liter rucksack. You could not final very lengthy earlier than your physique is worn out.
What’s the Finest Sleeping Bag for the CDT?
The Continental Divide Path (CDT) may be very chilly. Most Via Hikers will need a sleeping rated to round 10F -20F. Chilly sleepers will go for the lower-rated sleeping bag.
What’s the finest gear to tackle a thru-hike of the CDT?
The most effective gear to take thru-hiking on the CDT can be ultralight and sturdy sufficient to have the ability to final a number of months of harsh therapy when backpacking on the Continental Divide Path. The gear record on this weblog publish has each bit of drugs that’s adequate for the CDT.
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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.
BikeHikeSafari will not be half of a big weblog community and is proudly impartial. All opinions on this website are impartial and sincere gear opinions of outside merchandise by the writer.
The writer, 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 outside retail retailer and may be very skilled in what’s essential when utilizing and testing gear for opinions like this.
BikeHikeSafari won’t ever obtain any cash for opinions and they don’t settle for sponsored opinions on this web site. All of the feedback in regards to the gear opinions are from the writer based mostly on his years of expertise. Hope this impartial evaluate was useful for you.