[Cdt-l] Your thoughts?

[Doug-Sue]

BlankJason, why not just do the Colorado trail this summer and see if you like long distance hiking.  That would be a great experience in itself- you certainly wouldn't be disappointed.  Or just take 2- 3 months and do the CDT in Colo border to border.  What a trip that is!

It might be a bit late to start planning a CDT hike for this year.  
-Red Doug
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jason E. Gillikin 
  To: cdt-l at backcountry.net 
  Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 4:19 PM
  Subject: [Cdt-l] Your thoughts?


  Hello, CDT'ers.

  First, as a lurker here for several months, I want to thank those of you who take the time to contribute.  The discussions on this list have been very helpful to me, and I appreciate being able to access this list's collected wisdom. :)

  I am a 32-year-old male in great shape -- I'm a runner and a scuba diver and a martial artist, blah blah blah.  I am in the final throes of a once-in-a-lifetime relationship which was apparently not destined for this particular lifetime.  I have no real reason to stay put; I have no assets, no real liabilities, no dependents, and no strings holding me in place.  I have thought about doing a long-distance hike for a while, and now that Cupid has been so cruel to me, I figure that the time is right to think more carefully whether I should hit the trail sooner rather than later.

  That said, I have some questions.  I'm wondering if any of you have advice, or can point me to some solid resources.

  1. If my hiking experience has been limited to day trips (including to the summit of Mt. McLaughlin in Oregon), is a long-distance or thru-hike of CDT a dumbass idea?  Does wisdom suggest a shorter course, or maybe a different trail?

  2.  Realistically, how much solitude is there on the trail?  Is this the great romantic trip to clear one's mind and re-set one's priorities that legends are made of, or is it just a long walk?

  3.  If I self-resupply along the way, how much cash should I have to get from border to border?

  4.  Are there there any out-of-the-ordinary selections for gear that would be wise to bring?  Or are there things that might seem helpful at the sporting-goods store that prove utterly useless in the field?

  5.  Is there a handy resource for permits, regulations, etc?  Or do I have to check state-by-state?

  6.  I have a mini netbook computer, very small and light.  Is it foolish to bring it along to write and blog while closer to civilization?

  Thanks much, in advance, for sharing!  And yes, I know I've asked questions that invoke reasonable judgment and don't have one right answer -- I'm just looking for some perspective.  :)

  -- Jason


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