Due to a buddies injuries, I am solo hiking the Denver to Breck sections of the CT solo this year starting on June 24th. Is there anyone starting solo at that time that would like to have another person around? I am a 41 year old Dad that is trapped in a cubicle 50 weeks out of the year, so I wont be setting any speed records. Not really looking for a partner, more like someone to be around just in case.
Birdog
Those segments are all fairly popular, with plenty of bail points. Do you have any family or friends in Colorado that could do an emergency pick up if needed? Just do a good job on logistics, plan on making a stop halfway in buffalo creek, and pace yourself!
Andrew M
I will be on the trail starting the 26 or 27 of June on a thru hike. I am on the CT journals. I will probolbly run across you at some time. If you have a cell phone let me know and we can exchange numbers and I will call you on the trail or when I get into Denver on June 24. If you get into a problem let me know. Also pay attention to what Andrew is saying about logistics. I am assuming you have been the CT journal sight. If not check it out. Curt
Curt Thornton
It looks as though I am going to be able to pull off the entire trail, rather than just doing the Denver to Breck Hike. I am in good shape with respect to friends and family in the front range / Den, COS, but Durango is a problem. I have been there numerous times in my life, but I know noone there personally. Now I have to work on Logistics and car movement and all that. Should be fun to plan out now. Oh, yeah…and that little thing called base pack weight. I am at about 30lbs right now and I dont know what to cull from the pack. Andrew and Curt, thank you for your suggestions. Curt, hopefully we’ll meet up on the trail and I’ll have my trail legs by the time you pass me.
If anyone is starting arounf the 24th of June and wants to work something out with logistics, please contact me at birdogsID@yahoo.com (there is only one “D” in birdog and that’s ID as opposed to EGO. =)
Birdog
Birdog I highly recommend Andrew Skurka’s book on backpacking gear. Follow the guidelines within and you’ll have no trouble dropping 15 lbs.
will
Birdog - You may be able to save 5 pounds or more by simply changing your tent and / or backpack. Start with the backpack itself. If it weighs over 3 pounds empty then it is too heavy and probably too large. There is a tendency to fill packs up so don’t get anything larger than you need. Google up the ULA Catalyst. IMO, it is the perfect sized pack for a long trail. Mine weighs 2.8 pounds empty, and there are some other similar sized packs that weigh even less.
Next place to look is at the tent. There are very reliable tents with full net bug protection that weigh less than 2.5 pounds including everything you need to set them up. Look at Lightheart, Six Moons Designs, and ZPacks, just to mention a few. I used a Lightheart Solo for 3100 miles on the CDT and never got wet.
I sent you a PM regarding Durango issues.
bearcreek