
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
Big Agnes Scout 2 Carbon
or a Tarptent Aeon 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.
Odds/Ends
Item
Brand
Reason
What I Used Last Time
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.
Umbrella
None or Gossamer Gear Liteflex Hiking
If I used one it would be for Mexico and the Great Basin only.
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
Latest Petzl
They make the best lights and their rechargeable.
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.
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
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.
MORE RESOURCES
Read these next or checkout the main resource page.
Gear lists from the AT, PCT and CDT; Pros & Cons; Things I’d do different; and Tips.
In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I hiked the AT, PCT, LT, and CDT.
Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.
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