Introducing the first two eBooks in the "Quick and Dirty" Hiking Guides co-authored with Cam Honan of The Hiking Life. Read More ...

Continue reading Introducing the Quick and Dirty Hiking Guides at PMags.com.

Some trail work on the CDT with the Continental Divide Trail Work Coalition near Grand Lake, Colorado. Read More ...

Continue reading East Shore Trail – CDT Trail Work at PMags.com.

In this time of giving, helping to support the Continental Divide Trail Coalition is a worthy cause.

As we passed on, it seemed as if those scenes of visionary enchantment would never have an end.”    —Meriwether Lewis, 1805

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) is an amazing achievement. With a diverse group of volunteers, federal and state government agencies, private groups and others, a trail from the Canadian border to the Mexican border is being built, maintained and administered.

A route is going through some of the most remote areas of the lower 48.  From deserts, to peaks soaring over 14,000 ft high to ancient by-ways, the route is a diverse one.

Currently, there are 32 miles to go before this route is complete.

And the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) needs your help in completing this last stretch.

Why does the CDTC need your help?

Continue reading Why support the Continental Divide Trail Coalition? at PMags.com.

A little article I wrote to help promoted the CDTC on Gregory Mountain Product’s website.

Fall is perhaps my favorite season. So when I was asked by the Continental Divide Trail Coalition to write something about fall hikes on the CDT, I was more than happy to help out.

Gregory Mountain Products is doing a very good job in helping to promote various outdoor organizations. Many thanks.

In any case, here’s the article I wrote. Hope you enjoy!

Continue reading Fall Hikes on the Continental Divide Trail at PMags.com.

Cool way to follow along with the Warrior Hikers on their CDT journey.

The Warrior Hike program follows in the tradition of Earl Shaffer and his historic hike on the Appalachian Trail: A way to walk off the war.

Currently, there are several hikers on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail who are veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea.

Courtesy of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, here is a great app to interactively follow our veterans on their journey on the  CDT.

Check it out!

Continue reading Continental Divide Trail – “Walk Off the War” at PMags.com.

A quick overview of the Continental Divide Trail for planning purposes. Updated regularly. Read More ...

Continue reading A Quick and Dirty CDT Guide at PMags.com.

A scan of a historic Continental Divide Trail Register from May 1990 to May 2013. Read More ...

Continue reading CDT Trail Register – Cuba, NM : May 1990 – May 2013 at PMags.com.

An article I wrote for Backpacking Light.  A photo essay and a briefy synopsis of the  lightweight backpacking gear I used from the trail.

Check it out!

Continue reading Walking The Backbone – A Backpacking Light article at PMags.com.

Over the years my base pack weight has become lighter and lighter. It took many miles and years of tinkering to get to this point, though!

I have been asked if I had gear lists for the different trails I’ve done. Up until now, I did not.

Since I am dealing with multiple trails and equipment from a decade of thru-hiking, I do not recall the exact weights. The BASE PACK WEIGHT is a guess for the earlier days. I also did not list every item, only the “biggies.”, Obviously, some of the items in 2009 are different from their 1996 or so counterparts. The lists should prove to be instructive, though.  I also have my current gear list posted (as of July 2012).

GEAR LIST FOR THRU-HIKES, 1997- 2006

Vermont’s Long Trail 1997
Appalachian Trail 1998
Vermont’s Long Trail 1999
Pacific Crest Trail  2002
Colorado Trail 2004
Continental Divide Trail 2006

BACKPACK
EMS 5500 (1996 Model)
EMS 5500 (1996 Model)
Camp Trails Scirroco (3500 CI)
LWGEAR -One Pound Pack (all mesh)
LWGEAR -One Pound Pack (all mesh)
Six Moon Designs Essence (2006 Version)

SHELTER
Walrus Swift
Walrus Swift
Walrus Swift
Campmor 8×10 Silnylon Tarp
Oware 5×7 SilNylon Tarp
Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape

Sleeping Bag
Feathered Friends Hummingbird
Feathered Friends Hummingbird
Feathered Friends Hummingbird
Feathered Friends Hummingbird
Feathered Friends Hummingbird
Feathered Friends Hummingbird

Sleeping Pad
Z-Rest
Z-Rest
Z-Rest
Z-Rest
Z-Rest (cut down)
Generic “blue foam pad” ( cut down)

Cooking
MSR Alpine Cookset
MSR Alpine Cookset

K-Mart Alum Pot

K-Mart Alum Pot (a little beat up)
K-Mart Alum Pot (really beat up)
K-Mart Alum Pot (d-low says it should be thrown away!)

MSR Whisperlite
MSR Whisperlite
Alcohol Stove
Alcohol Stove
Alcohol Stove
Alcohol Stove

Hydration
2 Nalgene Bottles
2 Nalgene Bottles
2 Gatorade bottles
2 Gatorade Bottles
2 Gatorade Bottles
2 Gatorade Bottles

1 Gallon Plastic jug

Nalgene Cantene
Nalgene Cantene
Nalgene Cantene
Nalgene Cantene

PUR Microfilter
Polar Pure
Polar Pure
Polar Pure
MP-1 Tabs
Iodine Tabs

Jacket
Generic Fleece Pullover
Generic Fleece Pullover
Generic Fleece Pullover
Marmot Driclime Windshirt
Marmot Driclime Windshirt
Montbell Light Shell Jacket

Rainwear
Windpants
Windpants
Windpants
Windpants
Montbell UL Rainpants
Montbell UL Rainpants

PVC Rainjacket
PVC Rainjacket
Generic Nylon Rainjacket
Generic Nylon Rainjacket
Golite Wisp
Golite Wisp

Footwear
LL Bean Cresta Hikers
LL Bean Cresta Hikers
Asolo 535s
various running/trail shoes
Nike Air Pegasuses
various running/trail shoes

BASE PACK WEIGHT (Estimated)
30 lbs
28 lbs (weighed at Boiling Springs ATC office)
17 lbs
13 lbs
10 lbs (I had a digital scale for this kit)
9lbs (I had a digital scale for this kit)

NOTES:

• I did not include most of my clothing as that has changed very little from the second LT hike in 1999. 

Continue reading The Evolving Gear List : 1997 – 2006 at PMags.com.

A  short (~10 minute) spot on the CDT aired on the Colorado Matters show on  KCFR (a local NPR station)  I was in this spot for ~30 seconds.   If you want to hear my melodious voice with a tinge of a RhoDyeluhn accent, here is your chance. 😉

Continue reading Continental Divide Trail Still Unfinished After 30 Years at PMags.com.