INCLUDE_DATA

Archive for the ‘CDT’ Category

My Boots Bring All the Boys to the Yard . . .

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

Asolo TPS 520 GTX

Lets talk about something very near and dear to my feet, boots. Part of my prep for the CDT will be gathering the right kind of gear and arguably the most important piece of equipment you have on a hike is your foot coverings. If you lose your map, your compass or your mind you will still be able to trudge on ward, but, if you lose your boots . . . well, you should probably just lay down and die.

Currently I’m rocking the Asolo TPS 520 GTX (I know the link goes to the GV’s but it’s practically the exact same boot) backpacking boot and O-M-G I couldn’t be happier. The preformance of this boot right out of the box was mind boggeling. The comfort and stability were prefect for my feet, and let me tell you, I have awful feet. I wore them around the office for one day before hitting up an out-and-back 2 night trip. The break in period is non existant and I got a lot of compliments in the office (mostly from dudes).

While I love my boots and intend to beat the crap out of them season after season I’m not sure they are CDT quality. By that, I mean I think they may be too heavy and too rugged. The guy who runs Phlumf has a gear guide of what he used on the CDT. While I don’t often take one mans word on a product he has some substantial milage under his toes. His boot of choice was a Salomon gortex mid-weight for the mountianis stretches. He doesn’t specify exactly which ones he used but judging by the type of boot Salomon makes I’m assuming it was a light weight high top.

Now, I know boots are a topic very few people can agree upon. Everyone has different feet and different tastes, but in the spirt of keeping light for a long haul I just can’t see using my Asolos. The rule is (and I’m making this up) go with what works; I’ve seen people doing 14ers in Chacos. The jury is still out on exactly what I’ll be taking but the requirements are getting fine tuned. Something mid weight, durable, water proof and matches my belt and hat.

Posted in Boots, CDT, Gear | 1 Comment »

Colorado Mountain Club

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

My buddy Aaron (whom sent Evans with me this last weekend) fired a link off to me yesterday for the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC). Apparently they have a Denver group that offers a lot of classes and training for it’s members. This couldn’t be more prefect.

I’ve heard of CMC but never really looked into it because I’m kind of anti-club (absolutely no reason for this) and figured it wouldn’t be worth my time. Digging into their web site (a treasure trove of knowledge scattered across no less then one million pages) I find myself more intrigued. Apparently you can join a group in your region (Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs etc.) and get together with other members to go on trips or take classes. The classes themselves do not appear to be limited to hiking or skiing but they offer things like geology and botany as well.

The only downside is the $96 dollar a year price tag, or $2,130 if you want to be a lifetime member which will pay for it self after the first 22 years. On the upside they do a lot of train maintenance, helping break new trails and develop societies to help spread the word on conservation. To be honest though, that’s not what hooked me.

What they got me with is the hiker rating system, it’s like a game, a game where you can level up your a character and that character is actually you. From the looks of it I might qualify as a Class C hiker (Yes, I am that awesome) and a Moderate Backpacker. They also have rating systems for snow shoeing, skiing and rock climbing (They use the Yosemite system for rock climbing routes but it doesn’t say how they rate the climbers).

So yeah, I think I’m in. I’m not sure I could find a better resource to help me train for the CDT.

Posted in CDT, CMC | No Comments »

Inception

Thursday, April 3rd, 2008

I’m struggling with how to begin. I feel like the endeavor I hope to undertake is so big that it defies a logical place to start. I’ve never done anything like this before and to be honest it’s a little daunting. I wouldn’t say I’m scared, unless I’m mistaking excitement for fear.

About a week ago I was looking at a trail map for Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) so I could set up a snowshoeing trip for a friend and myself. As I was scanning the map looking for something fun a trail name caught my attention, “Colorado Continental Divide Trail”. I paused for a moment then followed the trail on the map until I met the edge. Only recently have I been interested in hiking and the great outdoors but I did vaguely recalled hearing about a trail that went the length of the Continental Divide. My interest was quipped.

I started to do some research and as I unearthed more information my interest grew. The trail is approximately 3,100 miles long and can take roughly 5 to 6 months to complete. It walks the length of the Rocky Mountains from Mexico to Canada though 5 states. The trail itself is between 70 to 80 percent complete however a handful of groups make the full length trip each year. I found pictures, maps, testimonials and the more I read the more I realized what I had to do. I had to hike the Continental Divide.

My initial plan is this. Spend the next 2 years getting in shape and learning the skills required for back country navigation and living. Fortunately I live in Colorado so I am not at a loss for beautiful and remote places to practice and learn. By 2010 I should have all the mas and plans figured out as well as the equipment and the knowledge to survive. I should also be able to detach myself enough from society that I won’t have any obligations to worry about such as rent, mortgages, loans, etc.

I don’t know if I’m making a bigger deal out of this then I should, but I feel like this is something I need to do. So you know what? I’m gonna do it.

Posted in CDT, Website | No Comments »