Links to advice videos
150 things everyone should know (with my comments and links to parts of that video — but not all 150 things)
- 00:11 Store Tent Outside Pack — I either pack it inside or I use the back pouch. With a single wall Dyneema tent it never gets damaged, packs quickly and I never risk losing it.
- 01:04 Limit Wardrobe — one of the first things you learn is how few clothes you need to carry. That is the first place people are able to cut weight and keep it out of your pack.
- 03:52 Long Sleeves and Pants – Sun Protection — everyone seems to start on the Appalachian Trail where sun protection just isn’t as needed. Once you get away from a trail with that much cover sunburn is a constant threat.
- 04:22 Umbrella — over and over again I see videos where people start with umbrellas and abandon them. I really want to make an umbrella work, I just have not succeeded, but if you can, they are great.
- 06:37 Start Cold — this is hard for me, but great advice. I eased into it by hiking with a buff for a warm layer eary in the day.
- 14:16 Replace Footwear Regularly — or how shoes failing early gave me the first shin splints of my life after almost four thousand miles of backpacking.
- Don’t Bring Backups 17:02 — other than Aqua Tabs as a back up to your water filter.
- Pack Liner 18:36 — I like Nylofume bags, Happy6 uses large trash bags.
- 20:57 Trekking Pole Tent — Eventually just about everyone moves to one.
- 27:41 Long Handle Titanium Spoon — or Aluminum. “Just say no” to sporks.
- Hooded Puffy Coat 35:20 — either a hood or carry a beanie.
- Never Camp In A Wash 39:51
- 41:39 *CONDENSATION – Avoid Setting Up on Grass
- 41:53 Good Ventilation
- 43:45 Make Sure Tent Is Big Enough
- 44:16 Dry Tent On Breaks
- 44:52 Keep Wet Gear Outside Tent
- 45:27 *STAYING DRY – Proper Rain Gear
- 48:58 Protect From The Sun Even If It’s Cold
- 55:37 One Earbud — I have hearing aids so I just don’t listen to podcasts while hiking.
- 56:03 Satellite Communicator/Locator Beacon 57:29
- 01:04:07 Protect Trekking Pole Grips From Critters
- 01:05:04 Cork Grips
- 01:10:35 Separate Dirty/Clean Water Bottles
- 01:18:50 Creatine/Glycerol — I’ll have to try this.
- 01:19:34 Backup Treatment Plan
- 01:21:18 Test Filter — always!
- 01:22:04 *SLEEP COMFORTABLY – Limit Water Before Bed
- 01:22:51 Pee Bottle
- 01:24:38 Don’t Overinflate Sleeping Pad
- 01:34:58 Antimicrobial Fabric 01:36:36
- 01:43:14Used Gear 01:43:59 Rent Gear 01:47:46Sell Gear 01:48:14
- 01:53:03 Extra Battery
Camping Hacks Every Backpacker Should Know
Food Hacks Every Backpacker Should Know
Hammock Vs Tent – Why I DON’T use a Hammock and the same topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UefwJRiRnis.
Bad Backpacking Advice You’ve Probably Heard
- 00:36 Two=One; One=None/Better To Have It and Not Need It Than To Need It and Not Have It — or how to end up with a 75 pound back pack.
- 02:56 Don’t Take Your Shoes Off During The Day — some people take their shoes off regularly.
- 03:47 If It’s Good Enough For The Military It’s Good Enough For Me — another way to get gear that is very heavy. Or how I met a guy carrying a 7.5 pound entrenching tool instead of a trowel.
- 06:21 “it’s Not Supposed To Rain” — it always rains.
- 07:02 Cutting Weight Is the Highest Priority
- 14:30 “It’s Just A Day Hike”
- 15:30 Any Ole Leaf Will Do — carry some toilet paper.
- 15:55 Try Altras — the advice to wear Altras is now a running joke in some groups.
- 18:18 You Need Hiking Boots To Go Hiking
- The Worst Backpacking Arguments
How To PROPERLY Store Your Backpacking Gear to Make It Last
CDTC official series, part one: CDT Essentials Info Webinar Series | Part 1
From Embrace the Brutality: Wizardvice: Good And Bad Advice From Hikers On The CDT (Part1)
More Big Sky
https://web.archive.org/web/20220128062745/http://www.wildernesstravels.co.uk/cdt/bigsky.htm — the original site seems to be down but this links to the archive of it. Below are the maps available for purchase and use with Avenza.
- https://www.beartoothpublishing.com/product/beartooth-mountains/ — works with Avenza maps.
- https://www.beartoothpublishing.com/product/tobacco-root-mountains/
- https://www.beartoothpublishing.com/product/bozeman-big-sky-west-yellowstone/
- –Alternative map bundle focused on Big Sky: https://store.avenza.com/products/super-butte-alternate-map-bundle-mountain-prana-map-works-map
Often taken by those who are unable to complete the standard CDT in one push due to time constraints or fires, the Super Butte Alternate, well known within the Continental Divide Trail long distance hiking community, is a worthy route in its own right.
At approximately 318 miles, it takes a longitudinal track along the eastern side of Yellowstone National Park exploring some of the Absaroka Range, before traversing the northern latitude of Yellowstone and heading into Montana along the extraordinary Sky Rim Trail and Gallatin Crest.
The Spanish Peaks follow and are considered to be a highlight of the experience. For those with the skills for a class 3 xc sub-alternate (or those with a little extra time to backtrack), the Spanish Lake Basin and Beehive Lake add an extra flourish not to be missed. Finally, the Tobacco Root Mountains add their own flavor and transition into the southern Montana environs.
Available now as a 25 map set bundle: divided into 4 sections, complete with half-mile markers and useful annotative notes for the thru-hiker, including pertinent resupply information. For those going north, this map set will get you from departing the CDT at Two Ocean Plateau thru to rejoining in the Whitetail/ Pipestone Recreation Area, or vice versa if you are heading south.
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- –Alternative map bundle focused on Big Sky: https://store.avenza.com/products/super-butte-alternate-map-bundle-mountain-prana-map-works-map
- The free CalTopo Map, with annotations: https://caltopo.com/m/7QSQ
- More at the adrr.com/d20 links below.
https://aweewalk.blog/2009/10/31/cdt-big-sky-route-alt-notes/
https://samschild.com/2021/07/22/cdt-part-4-big-sky-super-butte-alternate/
Prior entry: https://adrr.com/d20/2023/12/03/cdt-more-on-the-big-sky-alternative/
Original entry: https://adrr.com/d20/2023/11/12/cdt-alternative-routes/