After many miles, many challenges, and many hours on my feet moving through Colorado and part of Wyoming, I realized that my heart is not tethered to the idea of needing to thru hike the Continental Divide Trail. I feel rather complete with the miles I have trekked in terms of resetting and doing something for me. Thru hiking has arbitrary start and finish lines, just like races do, and while these structures certainly serve significant purposes at many moments in time for ot

Day 7: Encampment, WY to dirt road group camping, 17 miles After a relaxed town morning and a 6 person hitch to the trailhead we had a 5ish mile climb up to some radio towers. The climbs leaving town are always a bit tough because packs are full. My pack was extra full because I swapped out my fuel for a larger more full fuel canister Tapeworm was ditching and I had an extra day and a half of food on me. We had decided to take a road detour that it seems most people take as i

Day 5: 28 miles. Almost to WY I woke up early after not much sleep. My legs were super achy all night and I tossed and turned all night long. I packed up my wet tent and Red Stripe seemed a touch behind me so I took off from camp and let her have an easy morning. The morning was soooo gentle and nice and EASY! It started with a 5 mile descent on beautiful single track trail through the woods. Nothing technical, smooth sailing. What a gift. I made sure to appreciate every mom

Day 3 continued… NoBo start, 27 miles: Today was a very disjointed day. I started out with 6 miles of descent and then another 6 mile road walk into Grand Lake where I needed to hitch hike back 2 ish hours to Steamboat Springs, CO to find Red Stripe. The road walk was actually so welcome for my feet, legs, and even my mind. The terrain was so much more mellow and the comfort of being near civilization or towns was needed. Red Stripe had mentioned that the road walks were time

Day 1: 27 miles, ~6,000 ft elevation gain I started at 7 am with Skylar and her pops for a few miles and then headed up and up and up on my way southbound to allow Red Stripe a town break and for us to try to sync up. I’ll come back to Steamboat in a few days and head NoBo with her to Canada! I know that I’m fit and experienced, but I really haven’t researched this particular trail very much. Everyone has so much sun protection (long sleeves, pants, hoods). The trail is so mu

Crewing Robbie for his thru run of the Colorado Trail (CT) was such an experience. It was tough and also oh so rewarding. Each day and night presented new challenges, obstacles and highlights. Throughout the 12 days I was the one consistent force keeping Robbie focused and moving forward. Reece, the cinematographer (and Lane sometimes) were out there for a good portion, my parents joined the last few days and Shelley was there for a few days in the middle. They all helped me