An additional question: what was the capacity of your backpack? How many days of food (realizing that base weight varies among us) did that hold for you? East coaster here wanting to be realistic about pack weight and gear needed. I have a list, I have it paired down, but I've never done a long trail. So while I'm all about a lighter load, I realize food is heavy and want the right capacity bag for the trip. Thoughts? Maybe a video to accompany this one. Thanks again!
Thank you, Steven! I used a 50L back on my trip, and I have carried as much as 12 days of food in it, though I think 6 days is about the most I would recommend. This year, I am actually hoping to max out at 5 days per resupply because I've gone stoveless which lightens the weight and because the less food weight I carry, the faster and more miles I can hike. Hope this helps!
Just starting to make plans for this summer's hike. Thx for sharing your thoughts on resupply points based on your experience. Look forward to your future segment reviews. Greatly appreciate your content!!!
Good info. You read my mind with little or no hitch and buy as you go. I never like what’s in my boxes and I’m the one who packs them! If it wouldn’t be much trouble I would like to see your itinerary and where you think it’s feasible to buy. Then I can look at days/weight. Thanks
Glad these are helpful. For what it's worth, I think it'd be tough to avoid both hitches and sending resupply, but I think it could me minimized on some level. My plan is resupply in a grocery store in Breck (104 miles), grab a few small items in Twin Lakes at the General Store (which is really a convenience store around 177 miles in), then go West (don't go East) and resupply at the Monarch Crest gift shop with a drop box or hitch to Salida (what I plan to do) around mile 262. From there, hope to make it to Molas Pass at mile 411 for a shipped resupply or to hitch into Lake City at mile 357 to grocery shop. These will be my final resupplies. I hitched last year with lots of success and never felt unsafe, but hopefully this will help you see where you might need to mail stuff and where you could go without. Happy hiking!
Thank you for these!! I’m a (tho a bit “older”) a newbie. I’m anxious about making reservations for hotels, etc NOW, and then being slower/faster than what I imagine. Looking at primarily August for my hike. Your videos have really helped!
Welcome, Angela! Logistics can be scary or stressful, but don’t let that shake you. Anyone brave enough to start hiking is also resilient enough to solve problems as they arise. You got this!
Thanks for this video. I retired last year and started putting in bigger miles. I did the Long Trail in Vermont this year with my hound mix dog Maggie and the Colorado Trail I feel is next up. Since I hike with a dog I never hitch and to be honest I don’t really have any desire to. Hiking the Long Trail has really helped me to dial in my gear and I am now truly UL. The Colorado trail looks so smooth it looks like 25 and 30 mile days are possible. What’s your feeling on that. We averaged between 15 and 20 on my LT. Take care and thanks for taking the time to provide so much information. Take care
Hi Scott, I think, generally speaking, your sense is spot-on. If you can do about 15-20 on the LT, you will likely find 25-30 a day pretty doable on the CT. There are exceptions, of course, but the average should be doable. It's definitely a bit tougher in the dryer areas with dogs because you have to really carry a lot more water given the heat exposure is so much greater than the LT, so be sure you have the Databook to help you know when you might hit a particularly dry stretch. Hope this helps and good luck!
Great question! I will work on a video soon for that topic. In the meantime, I think it's worth noting that I've never taken a footprint and have never had an issue. I do use a floorless tent, though, so I have a Tyvek sheet I use, but I think a normal tent would be fine without any footprint.
Thank you for this info. I no longer care to send boxes, plus, I don't eat well, unfortunately, so I can go a pretty long distance without resupply. A convenience store with a package of instant mashed potatoes is considered a well-stocked store to me. :) Have you discussed food storage on another video?
From Monarch Pass to Molas Lake campground is about 150 miles. So unless you hitch a ride or get a shuttle to Lake City, is there no hitchless resupply option for that part of the trail? That would be about a 7-to-10-day food carry depending on how many miles per day. Is that correct? Thanks for all of your videos. I plan on hitting the trail 8/30/2023 and your videos are very helpful in planning my first thru hike attempt.
@@OutsideComfortZone yes, I hit the trail on 8/30/23 with a good friend. He succumbed to AMS at Breckenridge. I only made it to Molas Lake campground and had to get off the trail with only about 75 miles left. The campground had my last resupply box and were closed for the season when I arrived on 9/30 ☹️. There was a weather system that moved in and I think it would have been unsafe for me to continue on the trail at that point anyway. I was the only person up there. I went days without seeing anyone else on the trail after the CDT split off. It was a magical experience and hopefully I will be back again to either finish it or re-hike the entire thing! Thanks again for your helpful videos.
Very informative. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Always good to get some more insight. The resupply question looms as the summer months get closer. Great information -- thank you.
An additional question: what was the capacity of your backpack? How many days of food (realizing that base weight varies among us) did that hold for you? East coaster here wanting to be realistic about pack weight and gear needed. I have a list, I have it paired down, but I've never done a long trail. So while I'm all about a lighter load, I realize food is heavy and want the right capacity bag for the trip. Thoughts? Maybe a video to accompany this one. Thanks again!
Thank you, Steven! I used a 50L back on my trip, and I have carried as much as 12 days of food in it, though I think 6 days is about the most I would recommend. This year, I am actually hoping to max out at 5 days per resupply because I've gone stoveless which lightens the weight and because the less food weight I carry, the faster and more miles I can hike. Hope this helps!
@@OutsideComfortZone Excellent. I was thinking 50L as well. Realizing that food is involved, carrying more weight is now a necessity.
@@stevenkaminski7771 Absolutely! I'll do a video soon on foods that are small and energy dense (like polenta) so hopefully that helps you plan!
@@OutsideComfortZone Loved the Polenta idea. On my list to include. Thank you.
Just starting to make plans for this summer's hike. Thx for sharing your thoughts on resupply points based on your experience. Look forward to your future segment reviews. Greatly appreciate your content!!!
Thank you, Andrew! Let me know how I can help with your plans as you move forward!
Good info. You read my mind with little or no hitch and buy as you go. I never like what’s in my boxes and I’m the one who packs them! If it wouldn’t be much trouble I would like to see your itinerary and where you think it’s feasible to buy. Then I can look at days/weight. Thanks
Glad these are helpful. For what it's worth, I think it'd be tough to avoid both hitches and sending resupply, but I think it could me minimized on some level. My plan is resupply in a grocery store in Breck (104 miles), grab a few small items in Twin Lakes at the General Store (which is really a convenience store around 177 miles in), then go West (don't go East) and resupply at the Monarch Crest gift shop with a drop box or hitch to Salida (what I plan to do) around mile 262. From there, hope to make it to Molas Pass at mile 411 for a shipped resupply or to hitch into Lake City at mile 357 to grocery shop. These will be my final resupplies. I hitched last year with lots of success and never felt unsafe, but hopefully this will help you see where you might need to mail stuff and where you could go without. Happy hiking!
Thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to hikin' it with my son this year.
You're going to love it! When do ya'll take off?
These have been very helpful. Hope to see you out there.
Thank you! I hope to get to meet you on the trail too!
Thank you for these!! I’m a (tho a bit “older”) a newbie. I’m anxious about making reservations for hotels, etc NOW, and then being slower/faster than what I imagine. Looking at primarily August for my hike.
Your videos have really helped!
Welcome, Angela! Logistics can be scary or stressful, but don’t let that shake you. Anyone brave enough to start hiking is also resilient enough to solve problems as they arise. You got this!
Thanks for this video. I retired last year and started putting in bigger miles. I did the Long Trail in Vermont this year with my hound mix dog Maggie and the Colorado Trail I feel is next up. Since I hike with a dog I never hitch and to be honest I don’t really have any desire to. Hiking the Long Trail has really helped me to dial in my gear and I am now truly UL. The Colorado trail looks so smooth it looks like 25 and 30 mile days are possible. What’s your feeling on that. We averaged between 15 and 20 on my LT. Take care and thanks for taking the time to provide so much information. Take care
Hi Scott, I think, generally speaking, your sense is spot-on. If you can do about 15-20 on the LT, you will likely find 25-30 a day pretty doable on the CT. There are exceptions, of course, but the average should be doable. It's definitely a bit tougher in the dryer areas with dogs because you have to really carry a lot more water given the heat exposure is so much greater than the LT, so be sure you have the Databook to help you know when you might hit a particularly dry stretch. Hope this helps and good luck!
Thank You for the very informative video.
Thank you, Brent! Are you hoping to have a CT adventure sometime?
@@OutsideComfortZone If all goes as planned, starting July 20th.
That’s a perfect launch date. Keep an eye on fires and if all is clear, go have the adventure of a lifetime! Great to meet you, Brent!
Great information, thank you.
Thank you, Jasper! I'm glad it's helpful!
Great info, thank you! Curious about site selection along the trail and how necessary a good footprint will be. Cheers
Great question! I will work on a video soon for that topic. In the meantime, I think it's worth noting that I've never taken a footprint and have never had an issue. I do use a floorless tent, though, so I have a Tyvek sheet I use, but I think a normal tent would be fine without any footprint.
@@OutsideComfortZone Thanks a lot! I've been considering Tyvek as well.
Thank you for this info. I no longer care to send boxes, plus, I don't eat well, unfortunately, so I can go a pretty long distance without resupply. A convenience store with a package of instant mashed potatoes is considered a well-stocked store to me. :) Have you discussed food storage on another video?
Thank you for the comment, Rose! I haven’t talked about food storage but I can put that on the list!
@@OutsideComfortZone Thanks! I had to use a bear canister on the JMT. I've hung my food bag on some trails, but I really need to get better at that.
From Monarch Pass to Molas Lake campground is about 150 miles. So unless you hitch a ride or get a shuttle to Lake City, is there no hitchless resupply option for that part of the trail? That would be about a 7-to-10-day food carry depending on how many miles per day. Is that correct?
Thanks for all of your videos. I plan on hitting the trail 8/30/2023 and your videos are very helpful in planning my first thru hike attempt.
Hi 337! Sorry I did not reply sooner. Were you able to get things sorted out for your adventure? Let me know how it went!
@@OutsideComfortZone yes, I hit the trail on 8/30/23 with a good friend. He succumbed to AMS at Breckenridge. I only made it to Molas Lake campground and had to get off the trail with only about 75 miles left. The campground had my last resupply box and were closed for the season when I arrived on 9/30 ☹️. There was a weather system that moved in and I think it would have been unsafe for me to continue on the trail at that point anyway. I was the only person up there. I went days without seeing anyone else on the trail after the CDT split off. It was a magical experience and hopefully I will be back again to either finish it or re-hike the entire thing! Thanks again for your helpful videos.
I believe Bailey, around mile 40, has a hiker hostel and resupply available in town. It’s about 3 miles from trail... I think lol
You’re exactly right! I’m glad you mentioned that. It’ll certainly help others! Thank you!
Great video
Thank you!
Have you ever take people in the Colorado trail all the way in a hike meaning as a guide ??? I’m planning to do this hike
I haven't before, but I've thought about leading trips after I retire. I hope you get out there and have a great trip! Thanks, Maximino!
when do you plan on being on trail this year??
I am shooting for the last week of June or very start of July, depending on snowpack. How about you?
@@OutsideComfortZone I'm starting the 28th of June. Hope to see ya out there!
Frisco is cheaper than Breckenridge and easier to get around.
Good points there. I’ve not been to Frisco so I’m glad you added that here
@@OutsideComfortZone Pretty sure you can take a free bus from Breckenridge.
@@M2Abi Yep, you can!
Has anybody tried Monarch Mountain Lodge? I plan to stop there after doing the West.
Word on the street is that they are accepting resupply boxes this year, so that’s good news for us westbounders 🙌🏼🙌🏼
@@OutsideComfortZone Second time I have done the CT, 2010. Collegiate West this time.
That’s awesome, Allen! If you can handle the San Juans, you can handle the West. Hope to meet you somewhere between Denver and Durango!