The Continental Divide Trail has been growing in popularity over the past decade. An increasingly diverse group of people from around the world now braves this thru-hike each year. The trail crosses the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana (with a brief dip into Idaho near the
Continental Divide Trail Horror Stories (Class of 2021)
In the yearly Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey, hikers share both their lowest moments on the trail (physically, mentally, emotionally - the literal lowest point of the CDT is Waterton Canyon, Montana at 2,972 ft / 906 m), as well as when, if ever, they found themselves in a situation where
How to Get Your Thru-Hiking Triple Crown Award
This post was originally published on April 1 in the spirit of April Fools' Day, i.e. the entirety of the below post is a work of fiction. The Triple Crown is thru-hiking's most coveted award. Only awarded to those bold enough to complete the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and
(Un)Popular Opinion: Thru-Hikers Stop Depending on Trail Angels
The thru-hiker/trail angel relationship has been put under strain with the increasing popularity of thru-hiking. And it's not just because thru-hikers are hitting the trail with zero money (but that's not helping). For this article, we're going to define trail angels as being anyone who regularly
(Un)Popular Opinion: Trail Angels, Stop Asking Hikers for Money
After my tirade calling out thru-hikers who hike with zero money, I thought it appropriate to examine another money-adjacent aspect of the thru-hiking world, trail angels. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of trail angels, they're basically people who help hikers during their thru-hikes. A
(Un)Popular Opinion: Why Your Trail Family Sucks
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I meet a hiker from Australia near the turnoff for Mount Whitney. This hiker appears to be experiencing something bordering on an existential crisis. The origin of her plight? Whether she should detour from the PCT and hike to the summit of Mount Whitney. First,
Continental Divide Trail Horror Stories (Class of 2020)
As part of the Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey, I ask hikers what their lowest moments on the trail were and when, if ever, they encountered a situation where they felt legitimately afraid or in danger. The CDT has a well-deserved reputation for not being the most beginner-friendly or
Why Water Caches Are Bad for Thru-hikers
Water caches are locations where water is stored or left out where there would otherwise be none. They have become increasingly common on long-distance trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, which may sound like a good thing - water caches mean hikers aren't forced