The Continental Divide Path is among the harder thru-hikes. I thru-hiked the CDT and perceive not solely how tough it’s however what info it’s good to know when planning your CDT thru-hike.
In case you are Via-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 day by day CDT Weblog full with cool images, info on easy methods to 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.
Climbing the CDT Path
Via-Climbing the CDT was one of many hardest issues I’ve ever finished in my life. I documented my hike as a day by 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 day by day journal which included what I used to be seeing and experiencing on the via mountain climbing the Continental Divide Path. Usually I used to be too exhausted to jot down concerning the day however I persevered. That is the consequence.
Anybody considering the CDT Via Hike would possibly discover it helpful to learn all of the weblog posts listed under. 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 actually not ultralight throughout my thru-hike. My Continental Divide Path Gear Checklist gives you an thought of one of the best ultralight gear for the CDT.
My gear is continually being changed because it wears out or I look to improve.
Beneath are opinions of all one of the best gear thru-hiking gear obtainable for the time being.
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 greatest suited to the climate for that space. I’ll describe issues a bit higher under.
After deciding to backpack the CDT it’s time to take into account which path to hike. There are benefits and downsides of Via-Climbing the CDT northbound, southbound, or finishing a flip-style hike. There is no such thing as a good path for the CDT Via Hike. Southbound is the best choice despite the fact that I hiked Northbound. Make up your thoughts.
Climbing the CDT NOBO
A CDT northbound hiker is tormented by 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.
Climbing within the snow of the San Juan mountains is not 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-Climbing the CDT. I almost set off 4 moist snow avalanches in at some point it was time to bail from the mountains and take the decrease Creede cutoff route.
Take a look at 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 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 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 the beginning to permit their physique to adapt to large miles. New Mexico can 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 can be fifteenth April. This is able to enable somebody mountain climbing the Continental Divide Path northbound to not rush the path and danger damage.
New Mexico is the most affordable 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 technique will not be one of the best technique 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 aren’t any place to study mountain climbing within the snow. Hikers might 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 value cash to journey to Montana. Possibly your mountain climbing buddies that you’ve got met on the path don’t need 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.
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 protected to journey however early sufficient to provide the hiker sufficient time to get by 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 tough resupply choices. Made worse by not being trail-fit and all of the winter storms which have blown down timber. These won’t 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 possibility than risking a hike in deep snow.
If I used to be Via Climbing the CDT Path once more I might go southbound. Why? I believe the possibilities of a profitable hike are elevated. Colorado shall be brutally chilly which I dislike. I might gear up for the chilly in Colorado. Climbing southbound means being slightly extra trail-fit at the beginning of the hike in Montana. Lengthy daytime ought to equal moderately large miles.
CDT Southbound Begin Date
Most hikers begin their southbound hike from mid-June to the top of June. fifteenth June can be the perfect begin date. The excessive passes in Glacier Nationwide Park shall be snow-covered for most individuals beginning on this date and the paths by the Bob Marshall Wilderness shall be slower going as a result of all of the winter tree blowdowns that haven’t been cleared. Maintain 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 means and use ultra-lightweight gear will full the path in 4 months. Early-season snow and the early onset of winter make it virtually inconceivable to hike this path in 6 months or longer.
What’s the Highest Level on the CDT?
Grays Peak is the very 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 Cook dinner, and Columbus.
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 Cook dinner.
Antelope Wells is an alternative choice. It’s on Hwy 81 proper on the Mexico border. A hitch or personal transport can be the one viable strategy to get there. It is usually 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 simplest strategy to get to or from the beginning of the path can be to take Amtrak providers 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 should definitely 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 things was packaged crap meals.
My physique suffered from poor vitamin after about 2000 miles. In a determined second, I ordered protein powder and a big field of Mountain Home meals so as to add a minimum of slightly vitamin to my food 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 cellphone numbers, click on the hyperlink under.
CDT Guidebook
There aren’t 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 mountain climbing season.
Obtain the FarOut Guides to your smartphone for one of the best 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 cellphone. Northbound hikers have two choices. Name forward and e-book their websites or flip up on the Again Nation Ranger Station at Two Medication and organize for permits. Each techniques aren’t 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 laborious to name forward and pre-plan what campsites they are going to be in.
The most typical possibility 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 Previous 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 as of late.
My iPhone was my solely type of navigation assist after I hiked the CDT. I used to be within the majority. Few hikers carry paper maps, and even fewer have a compass.
Your best option of maps is the FarOut Guides which works along with your smartphone. Obtain the maps for offline use.
As for using a devoted GPS unit like a Garmin, I solely noticed one particular person utilizing one on the CDT however most use Smartphones these days.
Occasions 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. But it surely 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 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
Virtually each CDT hiker makes use of the FarOut App. The FarOut Information has improved loads 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 situation providers 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 possibility 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 exploit an Offline Topo known as Pocket Earth Professional. I obtain the entire state topo map to my cellphone.
If I must bail off the path, that is my go-to map. It additionally exhibits motels and eating places and so forth. There are numerous useful Wiki Journey hyperlinks on the offline maps with information resembling historic websites.
Many individuals use the Gaia App and charge it extremely.
CDT Water Report
The CDT water report was one of the best information for water on the path. It appears now that the FarOut Guides at the moment are one of the best 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.
Most 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 numerous dry sections on the CDT. FarOut Guides have improved loads and at the moment are one of the best supply of information.
Snow Situations 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 mixture of harmful snow, unhealthy climate, and sluggish journey.
Northbound hikers ought to take into account beginning in Colorado after seventh June. Yearly is completely different however it’s virtually assured that there shall 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 Climbing the CDT places the hiker able to have wildlife encounters. In 2016 two Via Hikers have 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. Presumably by the identical bear.
The hikers, Zorro and Smiley have been mountain climbing solo and the Bears attacked with little warning. I met each of those hikers whereas on the path. Smiley had significantly 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 toes 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 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 have 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 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 operating low on meals with many days to hike to the closest city.
Have a critical 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.
Prime 5 Days on the Continental Divide Path
If I hiked the CDT Once more
If I have been Via Climbing the CDT once more what would I do otherwise?
Firstly, I would like to be Via-Climbing the CDT southbound. It affords a greater likelihood of success for the hiker who has a little bit of path health.
Secondly, I might ship extra meals packing containers with nutritious meals to among 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 numerous 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 advantageous print. Particularly on the subject 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 among the most cost-effective path cities on the entire CDT. An ideal 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 large miles in the event that they so select, or decelerate and benefit from the final weeks on the path. The numerous Nation Forests make for nice 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 probably the most visually gorgeous part of the path.
Continental Divide Path Wyoming
The Continental Divide Path Wyoming is a spot for mountain climbing large miles. From the flat and simple 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 overlook 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 mountain climbing within the hills. A few of the resupply cities are tough to succeed in. It’s the time when each northbound and southbound thru-hikers might want to make large miles to keep away from the snow which shall be arriving quickly.
Continental Divide Path Montana
The Continental Divide Path Montana has among the most gorgeous and tough terrain. The rugged sections of path Glacier Nationwide Park and the lengthy resupply sections of the Bob Marshall Wilderness are the highlights. It is usually 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 mountain climbing.
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The writer, 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 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 could be very skilled in what’s necessary when utilizing and testing gear for opinions like this.
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