If I Hiked The Continental Divide Trail Again

When I first thru-hiked the Continental Divide Trail I went northbound. I’ve always been one of those hikers who thinks, “I ONLY HIKE NOBO!”. As fate would have it, the CDT made me realize just how silly that thought process was and I broke that declaration. I ended up flip flopping twice, due to snow. It was at a huge cost of time, money, and logistics. If I hiked the Continental Divide Trail again I would most likely go SOBO to avoid this.

When it comes to gear there are some items I would change. I would attempt to start with a lower base weight. My goal would be to be under 10 lbs. The reason for this is, the CDT is a beast and if one wants to do big miles you don’t want a heavy pack.

Most of the CDT was a big unknown to me. Because of listening to the lore that surrounds the CDT I started with misconceptions that left me questioning a lot. The two biggest misconceptions were that the trail is hard to follow and that it’s not well established. Both in my opinion are false.

On the other hand I did learn the following: the weather is more extreme, elevation plays a bigger role (mostly in CO), the water sources in NM can be of poor quality, and depending on the year, snow can effect your hike much more.

After so long, my approach to hiking, my skill level, confidence, and the gear available have changed greatly. I wanted to write this post as a companion piece to my original gear list, to show what I would do if I hiked the CDT again.

Keep reading to find out what else I would change about my hike.

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PACK & SHELTER

Item

Brand

Reason

What I Used Last Time

Pack

Pa’lante Packs V2 or Gossamer Gear Kumo 36

With a higher MPD and less overall items in my pack, I could use a smaller pack.

ULA Catalyst

Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60

Shelter

Tarptent Protrail Li

Weight, size, easy of set up.

Gossamer Gear Twin w/Tyvek Ground Sheet

Zpack Hexamid Solo-Plus

Just like on the PCT I failed to have the tent which I was planning on using ready for the start of the trail. As a result I started with my Gossamer Gear Spin Twin tarp again. Besides a few windy nights the tarp worked fine for the southern portion. If I hiked the Continental Divide Trail again I would make a point to start with the shelter I wanted from the very start. It would save me the stress of trying to obtain it on trail and give me a chance to test it out.

With the plan to carry less I would definitely go for a smaller pack if possible. I fully believe in the adage that whatever size pack you buy, you’ll fill it. There are a few long hauls on the CDT and a smaller pack would make those tough but I’d made it work for those few times. The bigger miles would help make those long sections more manageable as well.

The biggest change for this section would be the smaller pack and what it means for the rest of the decisions I would make about the gear I put in it.

SLEEP SYSTEM

Item

Brand

Reason

What I Used Last Time

Sleeping Bag

Big Agnes Flume 30

or maybe my Enlightened Equipment Enigma

My FF is now 13 years old and at the end of its life. We a later SOBO start a 30 bag should be enough.

Feathered Friends Humming Bird 20 Degree

Sleeping Pad

Thermarest Z-Lite

or Big Agnes Foam

No Change.

Thermarest Z-lite 3/4

Pillow

Big Agnes AXL Air Pillow

Making a makeshift pillow means having extra clothes to do so. An inflatable pillow is lighter and easier.

N/A

I’m a side sleeper and rotate which side I sleep on throughout the night. Today’s air mattresses are comfortable but they’re also tall. For me to not be constantly falling off I have to use the wide version. By doing so the weight goes up greatly. I can and do sleep just as well on my Z-lite and it’s not tall, so falling off it isn’t a problem. My Z-Lite is half the weight and doesn’t require all the extra work of inflating and deflating everyday.

My Feathered Friends bag was a 20 degree bag but during the trip I felt like it was more like a 30. It was old and didn’t have the loft it once did. Taking this and the fact I would go SOBO, starting in summer, I believe a 30 degree bag would be enough.

Clothing Worn

Item

Brand

Reason

What I Used Last Time

Hat

Trucker Hat or visor

Simple and cheap.

Petzl Visor, Cowboy hat, & Trucker hat

Sunglasses

Julbo Renegade

The fit and look good, and they have photochromic lenses which would be ideal for the conditions on the CDT.

Julbo Tensing

Hiking Top

Short Sleeve T, Button Down Long Sleeve, or sun hoody

I’m really leaning towards a hooded sun shirt, but I do like the ability to unbutton a dress shirt.

Ibex Heather Crew & OR Astroman L/S

Shorts/Pants

Something light and quick drying

Quick drying is important as I sweat a lot.

Mountain Hardware Conversion Pack Pants

Socks

FITS Medium Hiker

Great and they’re durable.

Ibex Solid Crew (10pr)

Gaiters

SimBLISSity LevaGaiter

No Change.

SimBLISSity LevaGaiter

Shoes

La Sportiva Ultra Raptors

No Change.

La Sportiva Ultra Raptors (5pr)

Insoles

SuperFeet Green

No Change.

SuperFeet Green

Transition Pieces

Item

Brand

Reason

What I Used Last Time

Rain Jacket

Montbell Versalite

With the CDT’s weather, something durable with good ventilation.

Montbell Versalite

Rain Pants

Montbell Versalite

Something durable and easy to get on and off.

Montbell Versalite

Gloves

Outdoor Research PL150 Gloves

Simple and light.

Ibex Knitty Gritty

Wind Jacket

Undecided at this time.

I most likely would just use my rain jacket but not sure at this time.

Pearl Izumi Wind Jacket

Buff

Probably whatever I had at the time.

Vey useful piece of gear. Bugs, washing, warmth, sub protection or a pillow case for your pillow.

N/A

Arm Coverings

N/A

Only bring them if I went with a short sleeve shirt.

Outdoor Research ActiveIce Sun Sleeves

Camp Clothes

Item

Brand

Reason

What I Used Last Time

Jacket

Undecided at this time but it would be down.

Packs smaller, is warmer, and is lighter than fleece.

Montbell UL Down

Hat

Outdoor Research Beanie

No Change.

Outdoor Research Beanie

Socks

None

N/A

Ibex 1/4 Crew (2pr)

Camp Shoes

None

Unneeded extra weight.

Crocs (Until I lost one)

Sleep Top

Ibex Woolie L/S or Ibex Indy Hoodie

Less odor as its wool, or I might not bring one and sleep in my hiking shirt.

Ibex Woolies 1 L/S Crew

Sleep Bottoms

Ibex Boxers

No Change.

Ibex Woolies Boxer Briefs

The changes to my clothing kit would be based mostly around the weather on the CDT. The sun can be intense in the southern section, and also at the higher elevations. There’s also more rain and snow on the CDT than most trails. Lastly the tread can be rough at times.

The few changes I’d make take the above into mind. Sturdy and breathable rain gear. Good sun protection. Supportive footwear. While making these few small changes I would hopefully eliminate a few items like the wind jacket, camp shoes, and whatever else I could. The smaller pack I would be taking would make this necessary.

Hydration & Cooking

Hydration

Item

Brand

Reason

What I Used Last Time

Bladder

Platypus Platy Bottles (2)

I would not use a hydration system. I don’t like not knowing how much water I have left, so I would only use Platy Bottles for carrying water.

Platypus Hoser w/ Drink Hose

Water Bottles

(2) Smart Water bottles

No Change.

Platypus Platy Bottles (2)

32 oz Smart Water (2)

Filter / Drops

Sawyer Micro

Simple to use and clean, and small and compact.

Platypus Gravity Works Filter System

Aqua Mira

Moving away from using a hydration system like the Hoser is the main change I would make. As stated above I like knowing how much water I have and with a hydration system it’s in your pack so you can tell how much you have. There’s always a possibility of leakage as well.

Changing to the Sawyer Mini is mainly for convenience. They’re so simple to use and have less moving parts. The GravityWorks was just too bulky and complex compared to the Sawyer.

Cooking

Item

Brand

Reason

What I Used Last Time

Stove

ISO stove (Snow Peak LiteMax)

ISO stoves are faster and just as light as an alcohol stove these days. My old alcohol stove with it’s slow boiling time and sensitive flame, has convinced me to make the change back to ISO.

Soda Can/Alcohol Stove

Cooking Pot

Snow Peak 700ml Mug

With bag cooking I wouldn’t need a large pot.

Evernew .9 Liter Ti

Utensil

Snow Peak Titanium Spork

No change.

Snow Peak Titanium Spork

Knife / Multitool

Leatherman Mirca

No change.

Leatherman Mirca

Lighter

Bic Mini

No Change.

Bic Mini

Cooking Oil

None

No Change.

N/A

Cleaning

Bandana

No Change.

Bandana

I’ve been using my same exact alcohol stove a friend made me since 2003. Lately slow boiling times, fussiness, and hiking with others using ISO stoves has me switching back to an ISO stove. Today’s ISO stoves are just as light and much faster than alcohol stoves.

If I hiked the Continental Divide Trail again I would use the bag method to cook. This would mean I could use a smaller ti mug. Snow Peak makes a small mug that fits both the stove and a fuel bottle inside it. This would help me eliminate bulk which is key to carrying a smaller pack.

Health/First Aid

Item

Brand

Reason

What I Used Last Time

First Aid

Custom First Aid Kit

Over the counter kits have items I don’t use or know how to use. Building my own with things I use and know just makes sense.

Adventure Medical . 3 kit

Pain Relief

Advil

No change.

Advil

Medicine

Imodium AD

No change.

Imodium AD

Bug Protection

None

I would simply keep moving or cover up, over using Deet.

Bug spray w/Deet.

Sun Screen

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer

No Change.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer

Oral Care

Tooth brush, flosser & paste

No change but adding a flosser.

Tooth brush & paste

Toiletries

Dude Wipes & hand sanitizer

No change.

Dude Wipes & hand sanitizer

Vision

Disposable Contacts or get Lasik

I would love Lasik but the cost is a barrier to getting get for me. The daily wears are much better for my eyes, than wearing regular contacts for multiple days like I did the first time.

Contacts & case / contact fluid

Lip Buam

Cherry Chapstick

No Change.

Cherry Chapstick

Over the years I have learned what I can handle and what I can’t. I’ve learned to access each situation and make the best possible decision to avoid injury. With that said I understand I can’t control every thing and don’t try to. I’ve also accepted that by carrying a limited amount of first aid I’m basically gambling. I carry what I think I’ll need and what I know how to apply.

My current First aid kit is smaller and simpler. Two things I did add were duct tape and K-tape.

Odds/Ends

Item

Brand

Reason

What I Used Last Time

Hiking Poles

Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Section Hiking Poles

Much lighter and more compact.

Pacer Poles

Maps

Use iPhone with Guthook App

One item to do multiple things and IMO the trail is not hard to follow.

Bear Creek Survey & Guthook App

Bandana

Generic

One item to do multiple things.

Bandana

Umbrella

None or Gossamer Gear Liteflex Hiking

If I used one it would be for Mexico and the Great Basin only.

Gossamer Gear Liteflex Hiking

Heading into the CDT I tried to limit extra odds and ends but they always seem to creep into one’s pack. The amount of odds and ends varied throughout my thru-hike but I tried to stay on top of what I had in my pack so it didn’t get out of hand. I also like to keep my hikes a less cluttered as possible, and this is one way I can help do that.

Electronics

Brand

Reason

Item

What I Used Last Time

Headlamp

Latest Petzl

They make the best lights and their rechargeable.

Petzl Tikka RXP

Batteries

Ravpower battery

It has both quick charge and quick output.

Batteries – AA &AAA

External Battery

Ravpower w/ QC technology

Faster input and output of power. Equaling less time in town.

Anker 15,000mAh

Phone/Camera/Navigation/Journal

Latest iPhone

One item to do multiple things. Camera, maps, phone, journal, compass, and more.

Apple iPhone 6+

Phone Case

A Lifeproof or similar waterproof case.

Phone safety is a top priority, as it does so many things while on the trail. Breaking it would be very bad.

Life Proof Nuud

USB Block

Qualcomm QC 3.0 Wall Charger

Has multiple ports and allows for quick charging.

Apple & Cord

Cords

One to fit both Ravpower and Petzl

iPhone charging cord

One item to do multiple things.

One to fit both Anker and Petzl

Solar

None

Not worth the effort of carrying and managing it.

Power Traveller Solarmonkey Adventure Solar Panel

My first CDT thru-hike was the most technologically advance hike so far. Even though electronics can help, they can be a double edge sword. If not kept in check they can add lots of weight to ones pack, take away from the experience, and they consume time.

By using my iPhone as phone, camera, journal, and my navigation, I combine four things into one. As I mentioned before this equals less weight and bulk.

I only carry items that use rechargeable batteries on all my hikes. Not only is it’s better for the environment but it saves weight. External batteries supply all my power. Solar panels are not efficient and I find I spend more time managing them to ensure they’re in the sun than I want. External batteries are just simpler.

Conclusion

Despite being my the last trail of my Triple Crown and my fourth trail hiked the CDT was still a mystery to me. What I learned on the other trails transferred to the CDT but it wasn’t always clear how or where. The CDT is its only kind of beast.

One issue I had was the vast amount of rumors and opinions about the trail. Most of which proved to be wrong. Listening to others and their fears put me on the wrong track for a lot of things. It took actually getting on trail to learn which were true and not. The biggest one was the idea the trail is hard to follow. Personally I didn’t find it hard to follow.

If I hiked the Continental Divide Trail again I would be much more relaxed and confident. Obviously my prior experience would be a big reason for this but I wouldn’t listen to others. I would trust my abilities and apply what I already knew. Hopefully this would mean having more Trail Confidence and a more enjoyable hike (not that it wasn’t enjoyable the first time).

My hiking style has progressed over the years. This days I enjoy more solitude and also like to do more miles. This change is reflected in my gear and other decisions. If I hiked again, it would be with less attachments and a much more personal endeavor.

It’s my hope that this If I Hiked the Continental Divide Trail Again post will assist others thinking about attempting the trail for the first time, understand what one veteran hiker would bring when it comes to gear and help them in planning their own hike.

On a final note, one’s gear list should reflect their own personal needs and style. This post is only meant to help in that process. Do your own research, do shakedown hikes, and build your trail confidence before hitting the trail. Good luck.