WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1

    Default What constitutes a CDT Thru Hike?

    CDTC have stated that they do not recognize the CDT Alts, only the 3,100 mile actual CDT route.

    Previous CDT thru hikers' blogs, journals, websites and guide books state generally something different, in one example, missing out a road walk section of the actual CDT or the use of Guthook or Ley's routes.

    The AT and other long trails seem pretty straight forward to define because there is only one route.


    Interested in your thoughts. Thank you.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    05-05-2011
    Location
    state of confusion
    Posts
    9,866
    Journal Entries
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by firesign View Post
    CDTC have stated that they do not recognize the CDT Alts, only the 3,100 mile actual CDT route.

    Previous CDT thru hikers' blogs, journals, websites and guide books state generally something different, in one example, missing out a road walk section of the actual CDT or the use of Guthook or Ley's routes.

    The AT and other long trails seem pretty straight forward to define because there is only one route.


    Interested in your thoughts. Thank you.
    Well since its not complete that's hard to say there's areas that are just routes and not actually trail tread. A lot get lost and end up spending a little bit of time off the route.

    Whatever counts to you counts.
    If you're hiking for someone else's approval you're a fool.

    This applies to all trails.

  3. #3

    Default

    That's too bad that they are only recognizing those who follow the official route. One of the things I loved most about the CDT was choosing which routes I wanted to follow and making the hike MY hike by choosing alternates. Then there are things like weather, fires, floods, snow, etc. that force people to take alternates whether they intended to do so or not.

    For me, as long as you walk from one border to the other, it's a thruhike.

  4. #4
    Getting out as much as I can..which is never enough. :) Mags's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-15-2004
    Location
    Colorado Plateau
    Age
    49
    Posts
    11,002

    Default

    Where does it say that, please? That is definitely a shift in their philosophy.
    Paul "Mags" Magnanti
    http://pmags.com
    Twitter: @pmagsco
    Facebook: pmagsblog

    The true harvest of my life is intangible...a little stardust caught,a portion of the rainbow I have clutched -Thoreau

  5. #5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mags View Post
    Where does it say that, please? That is definitely a shift in their philosophy.

    Trail Days 2017 during a Q&A with CDTC in Silver City.

  6. #6

    Default

    The following link states that alternate routes are acceptable.

    http://continentaldividetrail.org/cd...n-certificate/

  7. #7
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-20-2013
    Location
    Roaring Gap, NC
    Age
    78
    Posts
    8,529

    Default

    "No rules. Just right."
    "Just do it."
    Wayne


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
    https://wayne-ayearwithbigfootandbubba.blogspot.com
    FlickrMyBookTwitSpaceFace



  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gpburdelljr View Post
    The following link states that alternate routes are acceptable.

    http://continentaldividetrail.org/cd...n-certificate/

    Appreciate the clarity, thank you

  9. #9
    Getting out as much as I can..which is never enough. :) Mags's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-15-2004
    Location
    Colorado Plateau
    Age
    49
    Posts
    11,002

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gpburdelljr View Post
    The following link states that alternate routes are acceptable.

    http://continentaldividetrail.org/cd...n-certificate/
    Goes with what I know. I wonder if you perhaps misheard what was said Firesign? I know the CDTC folks pretty well and what you said came as a surprise.
    Paul "Mags" Magnanti
    http://pmags.com
    Twitter: @pmagsco
    Facebook: pmagsblog

    The true harvest of my life is intangible...a little stardust caught,a portion of the rainbow I have clutched -Thoreau

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-16-2011
    Location
    On the trail
    Posts
    3,789
    Images
    3

    Default

    The comment could be in reference to what trail they support and/or advocate vs. what is "defined as a thru hike."
    enemy of unnecessary but innovative trail invention gadgetry

  11. #11
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-20-2013
    Location
    Roaring Gap, NC
    Age
    78
    Posts
    8,529

    Default

    So, if a very seasoned Hiker on an attempted CDT thru hike decides to tackle the Wind River Range High Route. Off trail in several places. Somebody's going to tell them that their hike isn't a real CDT thru hike? Right.
    Too much nit picking and hair splitting if you ask me. I'll never hike the entire CDT. However, I wouldn't pay any attention to statements like that mentioned in post #1.
    Wayne
    PS: Forget bears. Moose'll kill you in Wyoming.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
    https://wayne-ayearwithbigfootandbubba.blogspot.com
    FlickrMyBookTwitSpaceFace



  12. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-02-2011
    Location
    Neptune Beach, Fl
    Age
    49
    Posts
    6,238

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MuddyWaters View Post
    Well since its not complete that's hard to say there's areas that are just routes and not actually trail tread. A lot get lost and end up spending a little bit of time off the route.

    Whatever counts to you counts.
    If you're hiking for someone else's approval you're a fool.

    This applies to all trails.
    Well said...


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  13. #13

    Default

    Did the CDT twice and was happy to do it different both times.
    Did the Gila, the "Bob", Great Basin, "Winds", and Anaconda Pintlers, all totally different each time. (as well as parts of CO)
    Also, once did the Tierra Amarilla Land Grant and the other time, did the Jicarilla Indian reservation.
    I think the official route (at the time anyway) is a road walk on a dangerous highway between these two (above) (no thanks)

    So, who's to judge?
    If I were to do this trail again, I would look for different, adventurous, scenic, (slightly dangerous) routes than the way I did before.
    That's the beauty of the CDT.
    It doesn't have those restrictions that other trails might have.

    What about griz with cubs or a kill closing a section? Or a fire?
    Let's keep the rules to a bare minimum folks.
    Don't ruin my favorite US trail.
    Don't let your fears stand in the way of your dreams

  14. #14

    Default

    The CDTC definitely hasn't stated that, they've openly expressed acceptance of all alternates. IMO the route choices are what make the trail what it is. Also theres plenty of sections without trail so they can't really constitute what the trail is now.
    - Young Blood | AT2015 | PCT2016 | CDT2017

++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •