for those who might have missed it -
Jim
What CDT thruhiking is really like
system
#3
Better question Goof, is why the hell hike in New Mexico? That isn’t the Rocky Mountains. Take the New out, and you get my drift.
No thanks to endless miles of flat desert, I’ll start in northern NM or at the Colorado border.
Sure, you can follow the Continental Divide all the way down to Panama. Si Sinor.
Rockies Nut
system
#4
I think what Jim is trying to say is that Roni’s journal description is a very realistic view of the CDT.
For those of us who have hiked the AT with its plentiful white blazes and easy off town access or the PCT with its easy grades , doing the CDT may a bit different then what we expect. Esp if a hiker has limited cross country hiking experience and/or limited navigation skills.
No definite route, guidebooks that disagree, easy to get temporarily misplaced (lost…such a bad word. 
But, just like the other two trails, a thru-hiker will somehow acquire the skills and determination to get by the set of challenges posed by the trail.
AS Jim (and Ginny) are triple crowners, I’d like to think they know what the hell they are talking about.
The Colorado portion is very well marked.
Other than that? Brush up on those map and compass skills folks!
No CDT this year, but …knock on wood, CDT next year.
Hopefully will see some of you when I do the CO Trail, which shares part of the CDT.
Mags
system
#5
That’s some damn good writing. I felt like I was right there on the trail, experiencing what Roni was. Coolio.
yogi
system
#6
Rockies Nut - you really have no idea what you are talking about. New Mexico has some fine hiking – much better than I expected before I went. We followed Jim Wolf’s route through the Carson NF, past Ghost Ranch, up to San Pedro Parks and the Chama River, over Mt. Taylor, through the Malpais and into the Cebolla Wilderness, down through the incredible Gila Wilderness, down the Black Range . . . You can follow the highways or you can follow the scenic routes - there is a lot of beauty in NM. Lots of wildlife too: elk, javelina, ibex, coyotes, . . .
Spirit Walker
system
#7
I read the journal entry from Roni. Sound’s like Yogi is going to have to write a CDT book too, since it sounds like her PCT book was great.
Anonymous
system
#8
Spirit Walker wrote:
"there is a lot of beauty in NM"
You’re absoulutely right, that’s why they call it “The Land of Enchantment” for the official state motto.
I love it.
It’s misunderstood in more ways than you know; a friend of ours moved from Albuquerque to Charlotte, North Carolina and a major local bank wouldn’t let her open a checking account because they said her driver’s license was from a “foreign country!” The NM car tags now say “New Mexico USA” but some people still don’t get it:)
RockyTrail
system
#10
Any internet links to the alternate Wolf Route or the Wolf Guide mentioned in Ronnie’s journal?
Howl
system
#11
Was just passing through and new to this board, noticed the comment made by Rockies Nut who has obviously never been below Northern New Mexico. As Spirit Walker mentioned there is much more to this state than “flat desert” and the prejudice shown by Rockies Nut is astounding. As for not being part of the Rockies…well technically we are on the southern end and even though we do not have the dramatic peaks as those found in Colorado we are also considerably less populated and that speaks volumes. As far as the desert portions…I myself am not keen on them but I appreciate them for what they are…everything has beauty, you just have to look for it.
Sorry you feel the way you do about our state…thats your loss, not ours.
Am I proud to be from New Mexico??? Si SENOR.
native new mexican
system
#12
For Goof - if you don’t know what I’m talking about then you haven’t done your homework and you’re gonna have an “interesting” CDT thruhike. It ain’t the PCT, babe. 
For Rockies Nut - The Divide can be (and has been) followed all the way from the Arctic Ocean to Tierra Del Fuego. You should check out the trail registers in Lincoln. And re: New Mexico - you should talk less and listen more to some of those who’ve been there - your apparent ignorance about it is astounding.
For Tha Wookie - Just Do It!!!
For Howl - check out http://www.cdtsociety.org/
also http://www.cdtrail.org/
Y’all have a good weekend - I’m goin’ hikin’
Jim
system
#13
Mags and tha Wookie,
I will see you all on the CDT in 2005. Any idea whether you are a NOBO or a SOBO?
Bankrobber
system
#14
wow!
Now I know what the Hell Jim was talking about. Didn’t get the link at first, but through some responces found out that it was roni’s journal. So great. I too felt like I was right there as well:D
Goof
system
#15
bankrobber- If I do it next year (one trail at a time! I’m leaving next Saturday for the west coast www.thawookie.com), it’ll be southbound. If the snow doesn’t let me do that, then, well, I guess I’ll have to work for a summer finally (or go surfing hmmm…).
What about you?
Thanks Jim:D
Tha Wookie
system
#16
First, Roni’s entry was great. No doubt about it!
Second, my origianl plan was to hike SoBo this year. But, you know what? Finacially it wasn’t in the cards. And you know what? Finishing at Glacier just appeals to me more.
All depends on the snow in Colorado in '05. It WAS a lower snow year, but a Spring storm dumped much snow in not only the San Juans but in No. Colorado as well.
We shall see. On a gut level, ending in glacier just appeals to me more.
Mags
system
#17
As of now, I am not sure which way I will hike. It depends on the snowlevels. I am a bit intimidated of trudging through Glacier and the Bob during the snowmelt. On the other hand, a NOBO hike will leave me constantly worried of not getting to the Canadian border before the snows hit. Going south, I can leisurely hike through New Mexico after clearing the South San Juans early. Either way, it will be an adventure.
Bankrobber
system
#18
I am really glad we did Montana in June when there was still a lot of snow. It was really beautiful and we had the place to ourselves. Mud wasn’t a problem in the Bob. Yes, navigation was more challenging and the stream crossings were really cold - but it was so beautiful. I really liked doing a southbound hike because we could take our time.
Spirit Walker
system
#19
Montana in the Spring. It just sounds nice, doesn’t it?
My mouth is watering for desert yet the waiter is just now bringing the appetizers.
This land is delicious.
Tha Wookie
system
#20
I will be going to Glacier National Park beginning August 25th. I am interested in doing some hiking there. I am a novice at hiking. I don’t imagine I will be hiking overnight. I am interested in some day hikes. Any suggestions or ideas? Thank you, Bet Ellis (Hikerwannabee)
Bet Ellis