Why am I raising the CDT?

As is tradition, I share my thoughts on the following three questions. In the end I had to stop…they sound much easier than they really are.

I’m hiking the Continental Divide Trail because…

• …I’ve dreamed of hiking the Wild West for over a decade and I’ve been doing it for a long time. It’s time to stop letting life get in the way of our lives.
• …I promised my best friend to enjoy life for herself and pursue it, instead of dreaming my dreams.
• …I want to scatter my best friend’s ashes near Williams Peak to honor his last wish.
• …I am in the worst physiological condition of my life, which gives me the fantastic advantage of using all this stored energy to convert it into exploration.
• …I struggle with the choice. The path forces you to choose, continuously and relentlessly. I want to choose and really commit to something, even if it’s just for a while.
• …Life (and my dear partner) has given me the opportunity to do so.
• …I need to increase the sample size under the hypothesis that long-distance walks make me a happy panda.
• …I don’t want to bury my talent but rather explore how I can contribute to this world we call home.

When I successfully hike the Continental Divide Trail, I will…

• …Have a reason to reset the timer for the next adventure. It has been 1119 days since I returned from the Via Alpina.
• …I have lived experiences that will last me a lifetime.
• …I’ve met people I want to have a second conversation with.
• …The chance of regretting it if I accidentally stumble and eventually don’t get up is reduced.
• …I hope I’ve encouraged some people to try hiking and exploring, even just a little.
• ….Get ready to find a more stable way of life.
• …Try not to make the same post-climb mistakes as last time.
• …I hope we return to a world a little less crazy than it currently is

If I give up the Continental Divide Trail, I will…

• Have a very good reason to do so.
• I found a limitation that I set out to find
• I have discovered what does not add value to my life.
• However, I have had a valuable experience.
• Make room for a different company that I consider necessary to continue

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