The 2023 Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey is now open for responses - fill it out here! If you hiked the Continental Divide Trail this year (2023), as a thru-hiker or section hiker, this survey is for you. It doesn't matter whether you completed the entire CDT (i.e. if you got off early or
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Review
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT from Cascade Designs is a three-season 13 oz / 369 g inflatable sleeping pad with a 4.5 R-value (the measure of resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of material). It's the next evolution in what's essentially become the default ultralight,
The Most Popular Thru-Hiker Trail Names
Trail names are a tradition in the long-distance hiking community. They're essentially nicknames that hikers go by while on the trail - and sometimes off the trail as well. Generally, but not always, these names are fairly abstract (i.e. not something that would traditionally be someone's name).
Guide to the Unwritten Rules of Trail Names
Trail names and trail name rules are a simple but sometimes confusing part of trail culture within the long-distance hiking community. At their core, they're a fun part of the thru-hiking culture that can allow hikers to connect. Don't know what to say to your new friends? Ask about their trail
Continental Divide Trail Hiking Advice for 2023 (& Beyond)
Chances are that things won't go to plan on a Continental Divide Trail thru-hike. One of the best things you can do to prepare for a CDT thru-hike? Talk to CDT thru-hikers and see what they would do again, do differently, and suggest that others (i.e. you) do. Questions like what gear do I get?
Continental Divide Trail Horror Stories (Class of 2022)
While completing the Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey hikers share the moment(s), if ever, they found themselves in a situation where they felt they were in legitimate danger or when they were legitimately afraid. The Continental Divide Trail is a test of mental, physical, and emotional
Continental Divide Trail Resupply Guide (2022 Survey)
In the third installment of the Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hiker Survey, we cover what's probably the biggest (perceived) logistical issue on the CDT, resupply. After hikers get their gear sorted, questions surrounding resupply become the object of CDT hiker fascination. What is CDT resupply?
Continental Divide Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2022 Survey
In the second installment of this year's Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hiker Survey, we dive into gear for hiking the CDT. Continental Divide Trail gear lists vary wildly between hikers and (spoiler alert) it's impossible to find a perfect CDT gear list. That said, we can try. I've organized this