Welcome to the Gossamer Gear journey report shakedown sequence! We all know our neighborhood is at all times on the lookout for new backcountry adventures to try to ideas for getting ready and packing for them with an ultralight mindset. That’s why we’ve requested our model ambassadors to dish the small print on their newest and biggest travels.
On this weblog sequence, you’ll discover:
- Route suggestions
- Challenges and highlights of the path
- Tips about the right way to plan your journey
- Gear lists from our model ambassadors
We’re excited to kick off this sequence with a submission from Nancy East about her thru-hike of the Colorado Path. Nancy lives and performs within the mountains of western North Carolina. She is an avid day hiker and backpacker and a passionate member of her county’s search and rescue crew. Nancy set the quickest identified time (FKT) for the Smokies 900 in 2020, and is the creator of Chasing the Smokies Moon, which chronicles this journey. We hope her Colorado Path insights enable you to plan your subsequent journey!
Inform us slightly about your journey and the place you went! What area did you discover? What number of days or miles did you trek?
In August and September 2023, I thru-hiked the Colorado Path (CT). Operating north to south via the state, the CT begins south of Denver at Waterton Canyon and ends practically 500 miles later in Durango. My buddy and I took 27 days to hike the path (22 days of mountaineering with 5 zero days).
What acquired you enthusiastic about this journey? What are some distinctive options in regards to the location? Was this your first time or a return journey?
I backpacked the 4 Go Loop in Colorado over a protracted weekend a number of years previous to my CT thru-hike. I used to be wanting to return and discover extra of the Colorado mountains on foot. The CT passes via eight of the state’s mountain ranges, with ample alternatives to get off path and expertise the appeal of many small mountain cities alongside the way in which.
Inform us slightly about the way you packed for this journey. What backpack did you employ? Was there any gear that was notably helpful for it? How a lot did your pack weigh?
I used the identical backpack I exploit for each lengthy hike I take: the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60. In actual fact, I used to be path testing a pattern of the most recent model of the Mariposa on my thru-hike. My base weight was round 16 kilos, however my pack was over 25 kilos with a few longer stretches between resupplies. I used to be instantly impressed with the Mariposa’s improved load lifter setup and the way a lot extra snug it felt to hold a heavier load.
Past my backpack, I used my Zpacks Duplex Tent, Katabatic Gear Flex 15-Diploma Quilt, and a Thermarest NeoAir Ladies’s XLite Sleeping Pad. All of those labored properly for my hike. I took my common assortment of equipment, resembling a CNOC water bag, Sawyer Squeeze Filter, BRS Range, and Vargo Bot 0.7L.
The Leukotape I carry in my first assist equipment got here in useful a few instances when some scorching spots on my ft wanted consideration within the first 100 miles. Electrolyte substitute powder (Skratch Labs and LMNT are my favorites) have been notably useful on the various scorching days we have been mountaineering. I stored these in my Gossamer Gear Bumster, together with different easy-to-reach objects.
As a result of the CT is commonly very uncovered to the solar at excessive elevations, my Liteflex Umbrella earned its common MVP standing on this thru-hike. I beloved having the additional shade when the temperatures have been approaching triple digits the primary few days of our hike as we traversed via many open areas.
I additionally loved taking a Gossamer Gear Thinlight Pad on this journey, and I pulled it out for all our breaks in the course of the day, in addition to utilizing it below my sleeping pad to assist preserve it from slipping on the ground of my tent (and maybe added a smidge extra R-value to my setup).
Lastly, my Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon Trekking Poles have been invaluable. They have been like having 4-wheel drive whereas climbing steep passes. I’m sure they saved my butt from many a bruise on descents from these passes when my legs felt like Jell-O from the climb up!
What have been a few of the highlights of the journey?
Since I dwell within the mountains of western North Carolina, I’m typically mountaineering in “the inexperienced tunnel” and am not uncovered to 360-degree panoramic views. One of many greatest highlights for me was having unobstructed views whereas traversing via the state’s magnificent mountain ranges. I anticipated the ranges to all look and feel related, however every possessed its personal distinctive traits and wonder.
Our resupplies in cities have been an sudden spotlight. I beloved experiencing the tradition and appeal of Breckenridge, Twin Lakes, Salida, Lake Metropolis, Silverton, and Durango. Every city was extremely welcoming to CT hikers, and Lake Metropolis even boasts a hiker assist middle in a neighborhood Presbyterian church!
Ultimately, CT thru-hikers are confronted with a “select your personal journey” resolution to hike the Collegiate East or West route. There are execs and cons to every, however the normal consensus is that the Collegiate West route is extra scenic; nevertheless, it’s additionally extra uncovered to the weather. We had a positive climate forecast once we needed to finalize our selection, and I’m so grateful—it was as epic as we’d been informed!
There are a number of locations the place CT hikers can take aspect excursions of various distances to summit 14ers. I opted so as to add 2.6 miles to one in all our days and summit San Luis Peak (14,022 ft). It was a transparent, picture-perfect day, and it turned one in all my favourite reminiscences of the complete hike.
With any thru-hike, you’re certain to come across different attention-grabbing hikers, and the CT is not any exception. I hiked this path with one in all my besties, Chris “Pacer” Ford, who accomplished his Triple Crown in 2023. Alongside the way in which, we ended up sharing path time with many different CT thru-hikers and even ended up with a small path household. The CT by no means felt crowded, but it was simple to foster a way of neighborhood and make buddies alongside the way in which.
I additionally appreciated how properly the CT is maintained and supported. The Colorado Path Basis does an excellent job of outreach and stewardship, and you’re feeling that in each mile of the path.
What have been a few of the journey’s challenges? What would possibly you do otherwise subsequent time?
One of many greatest challenges we confronted was extended unsafe climate within the San Juans that compelled us to take an unplanned zero day in Silverton, which morphed into two zero days when the climate didn’t enhance. Our return flights dwelling needed to be rebooked, and I confronted the specter of not with the ability to end the path (and we have been so shut at that time!).
If I have been to hike the CT once more, I’d proactively construct in additional time to account for poor climate circumstances which may pressure me off path for a number of days. I used to be on a good timeline due to household obligations, however it will have been good to not have to stress a lot about ending!
If I’d had the posh of extra time, I’d have additionally eased into the mileage and elevation acquire (we began mountaineering the path the morning we landed in Denver). I used to be lucky that I didn’t have any acclimatization points coming from my dwelling of two,800 ft above sea stage, however it will have been higher to start out extra slowly and even acclimate a day or two in Denver earlier than mountaineering.
The ultimate factor I wanted I’d had time for was to summit Mount Elbert, the second-highest mountain within the contiguous United States and the very best in Colorado. The CT passes proper by the spur path to the summit, however it was extra of a time and mileage dedication than I needed to spare.
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In case you’d wish to comply with together with extra of Nancy’s adventures, you could find her on Fb, Instagram, and YouTube. She’s additionally written extra about her CT expertise intimately on her web site. Nancy is a weekend warrior who additionally takes a yearly “mombatical” to hike shorter lengthy trails just like the CT.
Have your personal tales from mountaineering the CT? We’d love to listen to them! Share your perception with us by tagging Gossamer Gear on social media (@gossamergear) and utilizing the hashtag #takelessdomore.
In search of extra out of doors journey inspiration? Take a look at a few of our different articles on the Mild Ft weblog written by or about Nancy herself: