Continental Divide Thruhike Journal

Postponed...

cdt.justinwp@gmail.com (Justin Poehnelt)

Since Ashley and I are no longer dating and I really wanted to do the CDT with a hiking partner I have postponed it to a later date which is yet to be determined. I do however plan on continuing a lifestyle that would allow me to easily take a year of my life to do this thruhike! This post can be found at: http://cdt.justinwp.com/journal/16/.

CDT Map Created

cdt.justinwp@gmail.com (Justin Poehnelt)

I just did some creative scripting to create a map that will take SPOT emails and put the data into a database which is called upon by a google map on my website. The CDT Map will be quite remarkable if I take an "OK" message twice a day. It should look like almost a solid line. This post can be found at: http://cdt.justinwp.com/journal/15/.

Thruhike Expectations

cdt.justinwp@gmail.com (Justin Poehnelt)

To balance out the fears and concerns that arise prior to a thruhike, I think it is important to make a list of expectations and goals on what a person may gain from undertaking a thruhike. This should somehow cover the 'why do it' aspect of a thruhike.

The primary reason Ashley and I want to thruhike the Continental Divide trail is to slow down. It isn't so much to stop moving, but to reassess what it is that is important in life. A thruhike or any extended time in the backcountry is an amazing opportunity to find out what is a luxury rather than a necessity. Although, I may desire to watch tv, eat junk food, or get a real job when I finish, I expect to have strengthened and challenged my perspective on life and what is important.

Another reason I have for a thruhike is to challenge myself physically and mentally. I hope to be in amazing physical shape and have strengthened my own will to do something that may seem impossible to many others.

I hope to see places that I may otherwise never had the opportunity to do so. After working for eight months in the southern California desert, I had a completely new appreciation for what is often called 'barren and inhospitable.'

Finally, I just want to have fun. I fully expect to have some amazing stories that I can tell, about the good times and the bad. I hope to leave with far more than just a few photos and a 'I thruhiked the Continental Divide Trail.'
This post can be found at: http://cdt.justinwp.com/journal/14/.

Fears and Concerns

cdt.justinwp@gmail.com (Justin Poehnelt)

I think a good exercise prior to any significant undertaking, such as a thruhike of the continental divide trail, is to reflect on the fears and concerns leading up to the hike. Here are some concerns that I have right now and some ideas to minimize or overcome them.

Injury to myself or hiking partner:

I need to listen to my body.
I should slow down, it's not a race. Don't run down the descents, take it easy on the knees.
Be aware of my hiking partner's condition and check in regularly.

Bear and Wildlife Encounters:

keep a good conversation
don't be lazy about camp
don't worry so much

Weather(lightning):

hike low when lightning is near
pay attention to the sky and adjust the timing of the hike if necessary

Boredom:

stop looking at the ground
take pictures
look for wildlife
socialize with locals, trail angels and other hikers

Conflict with hiking partner(s):

understanding each hiker's needs
give space when needed
eat well

Getting Lost:

be humble about my map reading skills
look behind me when hiking
plan ahead and prepare
expect to be lost and be ready to deal with it
This post can be found at: http://cdt.justinwp.com/journal/8/.

CDT Thruhike Planning Has Begun

cdt.justinwp@gmail.com (Justin Poehnelt)

Ashley and I have started the process of planning for a 2009 thruhike of the Continental Divide Trail. I have been dreaming of this hike for several years now and collecting bits of information along the way. It seems odd to be planning something more than a year away, but we want to spread it out and not be so overwhelmed in the last few months.

I will try to list all information sources on the resources page so that future hikers may find this information more easily, and so I know where to look when I need to find it again. I will also try to keep a gear list up to date as I test new ultralight backpacking gear prior to the hike. This post can be found at: http://cdt.justinwp.com/journal/6/.

Website Constructed

cdt.justinwp@gmail.com (Justin Poehnelt)

I have just recently constructed this website to document the research, planning and adventures of the hike. I hope to have this website updated as we hike to keep everyone informed with exciting trail journal entries. I will be more than likely writing several other prehike entries cover topics such as expectations and fears.

Thanks for checking it out and I hope you stop back in the future. You can also subscribe to my RSS Feed. If you have any comments, suggestions or just want to say hello, you can drop me an email at: cdt.justinwp @ gmail.com. This post can be found at: http://cdt.justinwp.com/journal/1/.