CDT 2025; Fact – The walk

I’m excited to announce that I finished the CDT and that I didn’t get eaten by a mountain lion!

When people imagine a hike, I think they imagine hikers having all kinds of profound and life-changing realizations. That has not been my experience. For me, hiking has been more about reacquainting myself with the simple facts of life that are easily lost in the chaos of everyday life; We are stronger than what we are capable of doing. Community is important. Time passes quickly. Tuna is bad.

This trail tested me. I felt intense joy and discomfort, sometimes all within an hour, depending on the weather and elevation. I lost it in the cold of Colorado and thawed out by the Gila River.

I reminded myself over and over again during the bad times that one day I would miss all of this. Since arriving at the Crazy Cook Monument, that has been proven to be true. Except for the water situation… I don’t miss drinking from the cow troughs.

I could ramble on forever, but I’ll forgive you.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. Whether you gave us a ride, made a joke, kept an eye on me, or commiserated on a bad day, no one hikes completely alone.

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