Continental Divide Trail: A Thru-Hike | Average Hiker

2024 was a Wash

Despite the setbacks of Lymes disease and a groin injury, 2024 was a year of resilience. I managed to spend four days in Pennsylvania on the Susquehannock Trail, and even though there were only a few day hikes, I continued to heal and strengthen my training for hiking following my 2023 Appalachian Trail hike.

Big Plans for 2025

I am thrilled to announce my upcoming thru-hike on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in 2025. I will be heading NOBO in May, and with many of the CDT alternates already under my belt, I am looking forward to tackling more of the actual trail, known to many as “the red line.”

This includes hiking the lesser-hiked Black Range in New Mexico. The Gila is pretty, but I have hiked it, and there are many more hikers on this alternate. There is little information on the Black Range, and hiking something wilder with its challenges, like water and resupplying, should be interesting.

I will cache food halfway through the long Black Range section before I start the CDT near Lordsburg, NM, on the Mexico/US border. The section between Silver City and Reserve will probably take ten days or more.

The hike will be challenging since I must slow down in New Mexico to avoid some of the snow in the Southern San Juan mountains. I want to hike the rugged southern San Juan range without doing the Creede cutoff or road walking, so timing is important.

After the San Juan range and sections of the Rockies, I will need to speed up through Wyoming and Montana. Glacier National Park can begin receiving significant snow as early as the beginning of September.

My First Try at YouTube

I have a YouTube channel (@avghiker) but have never uploaded any content. On this hike, I am going to give it a whirl. It may be easier than trying to write everything down. I do not know if there will be daily, weekly, or monthly videos, but there will be at least one.

I look forward to sharing the highs and lows of the CDT thru-hike through my videos. While they may not be cinematic or feature witty commentary, they will be authentic and real. So, if you are interested in experiencing a CDT thru-hike, check in with me periodically.

As always, you can find current shorter-form content on IG, FB, and X (formerly known as Twitter).

FarOut Ambassador

I am also happy to announce that I will be a FarOut Ambassador. FarOut is a Map App I often use on my hikes. It lays out a track with mileage and provides water, town details, camping information, etc.

Initially, FarOut was a handy tool to complement my maps and compass, but now, I only use FarOut and Gaia on some well-traveled trails. In future posts, I’ll share more about how I use these apps on the CDT. Since this trail is more remote, I will also carry backup maps.

Gear Used on the CDT

I turned fifty-seven this year, and although I am still a strong hiker, injuries in 2024 made me more aware of my limits. In addition to getting in shape for the hike, I am continuing to lighten my gear where it makes sense.

What Influences My Gear Choices

• My kryptonite is cold, and both my layers and sleep system are designed to avoid the cold and keep me on the trail. I try not to go so light that I have to hurry to town to avoid harsh weather. Balance is essential on my hikes. I want to be safe and warm.
• Light weight is more important as I age. I had some crazy injuries last year, and my body let me know I needed to be a little more considerate of its limits.
• Keeping it simple is essential. I love to hike, so I usually begin before dawn and stop just before dark. Because of this, I like my gear to be simple to set up and take down.

Backpack

My backpack this year is a 40L Pulse EP40 (US Navy). It is a new pack, and I spent weeks reviewing different packs before I settled on the Pulse. I like the fact that the body is 35 liters. The pack weighs approximately 24 ounces and will carry up to 30 lbs. I wanted a pack that could manage big water carries.

The Pulse is a comfortable and good-looking pack, although the latter was not at the top of the priority list. I will review it after the hike.

Shelter

This year, I am taking my tarp. It is a Dyneema camouflage 7×9 tarp from Wild Sky Gear in the UK. The owner makes quality gear, and I like this tarp a lot.

I have used tarps on shorter hikes, but this will be my first time using one on a thru-hike. I decided on the tarp because of its ease of use and management of condensation. After trying every tent and tarp tent available, I became so frustrated with condensation that I decided to use my tarp.

Sleep System

I will be using my trusted 15-degree Katabatic Sawatch on this hike. I have used many quilts and still find that Katabatic makes the warmest.

My sleeping pad is a Thermarest X-Therm, which has a 7.3 R-value and is still the warmest sleeping pad I have found. It is also very durable, which is vital when I am days away from town where I can get another sleeping pad.

Clothing

This year will be the first year I have not taken a Down Jacket for camp. I will be using a layering system that will keep me warm in wet conditions and also keep me warm in camp.

1. My sleep shirt is a lightweight, long-sleeved Smartwool shirt I also use as a town shirt. It is great for sleeping because it is so soft. It is the softest Merino shirt I have worn so far.
2. My hiking shirt will be my Patagonia fishing shirt. It keeps me cool in hot weather, dries quickly, and most mosquitoes cannot bite through it. I bought it in 2019, and it still looks almost brand new.
3. My favorite lightweight layer is an Alpha Fleece 90 from Sambob. I have one from Senchi, too, but I like the Sambob better. It is very well made, and I prefer cinching the hood around my face.
4. My jacket will be a Torrid from Enlightened Equipment. It is not nearly as warm as my Tincup Down Jacket from Katabatic, but it is synthetic, and combined with my other layers, it is just as warm. It is also about half the weight of my Down Jacket. The best feature is that even if it gets wet from rain or sweat, I will still stay warm. I carried an excellent Marmot synthetic for years until it was discontinued, and I have missed having a synthetic layer.
5. My rain jacket will be a Torrentshell from Patagonia. I have used ultra-light jackets like the Montbell Versalite for years and always get cold in the rain. I chose the Torrent because it keeps me dry, makes a good shell over the Alpha Fleece in cold, windy conditions, and holds in my body heat. It also does not break the bank like other rain jackets and is just as good.
6. I will wear shorts; if I need pants, I will wear rain pants.
7. My hat will be my wool Buff. It is one of my favorite pieces of gear. I use it as a beanie, a hair band, and a balaclava when it is cold. I also often sleep in it. It is warm and soft.

Embrace the Brutality!

The CDT will be challenging but also fun. I love a good adventure and trying out new techniques and gear. I’m also excited about trying out YouTube on the trip. My favorite trail phrase, which originated on the CDT, is “Embrace the Brutality,” and I expect this hike will sum that up.