Welcome to the Gossamer Gear journey report shakedown sequence! We all know our group is at all times on the lookout for new backcountry adventures to try to suggestions for making 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 easy methods 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 recognized time (FKT) for the Smokies 900 in 2020, and is the writer of Chasing the Smokies Moon, which chronicles this journey. We hope her Colorado Path insights allow you to plan your subsequent journey!
Inform us just a little 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 almost 500 miles later in Durango. My buddy and I took 27 days to hike the path (22 days of climbing with 5 zero days).
What acquired you enthusiastic about this journey? What are some distinctive options concerning the location? Was this your first time or a return journey?
I backpacked the 4 Move Loop in Colorado over an extended 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 allure of many small mountain cities alongside the best way.
Inform us just a little about the way you packed for this journey. What backpack did you utilize? Was there any gear that was significantly 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. The truth is, I used to be path testing a pattern of the latest 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 comfy 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 nicely for my hike. I took my normal assortment of equipment, equivalent to a CNOC water bag, Sawyer Squeeze Filter, BRS Range, and Vargo Bot 0.7L.
The Leukotape I carry in my first assist package got here in useful a few occasions when some sizzling spots on my toes wanted consideration within the first 100 miles. Electrolyte substitute powder (Skratch Labs and LMNT are my favorites) had been significantly useful on the numerous sizzling days we had been climbing. I saved these in my Gossamer Gear Bumster, together with different easy-to-reach objects.
As a result of the CT is usually very uncovered to the solar at excessive elevations, my Liteflex Umbrella earned its normal MVP standing on this thru-hike. I liked having the additional shade when the temperatures had 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 through 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 had been invaluable. They had 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 had been a few of the highlights of the journey?
Since I reside within the mountains of western North Carolina, I’m typically climbing in “the inexperienced tunnel” and am not uncovered to 360-degree panoramic views. One of many largest 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 sweetness.
Our resupplies in cities had been an sudden spotlight. I liked experiencing the tradition and allure 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!
Finally, CT thru-hikers are confronted with a “select your personal journey” resolution to hike the Collegiate East or West route. There are professionals 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 after we needed to finalize our selection, and I’m so grateful—it was as epic as we’d been informed!
There are a couple 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 toes). It was a transparent, picture-perfect day, and it grew to become one in all my favourite reminiscences of all the hike.
With any thru-hike, you’re sure to come across different fascinating 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 best way, 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 group and make mates alongside the best way.
I additionally appreciated how nicely the CT is maintained and supported. The Colorado Path Basis does an impressive job of outreach and stewardship, and you’re feeling that in each mile of the path.
What had been a few of the journey’s challenges? What would possibly you do in a different way subsequent time?
One of many largest 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 residence needed to be rebooked, and I confronted the specter of not having the ability to end the path (and we had been so shut at that time!).
If I had been to hike the CT once more, I’d proactively construct in additional time to account for poor climate situations that may drive me off path for a couple of days. I used to be on a decent timeline due to household obligations, however it might have been good to not have to worry a lot about ending!
If I’d had the luxurious of extra time, I’d have additionally eased into the mileage and elevation achieve (we began climbing the path the morning we landed in Denver). I used to be lucky that I didn’t have any acclimatization points coming from my residence of two,800 toes above sea degree, however it might have been higher to begin extra slowly and even acclimate a day or two in Denver earlier than climbing.
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 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 prefer to observe 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 climbing 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.
On the lookout for extra outside journey inspiration? Try a few of our different articles on the Gentle Toes weblog written by or about Nancy herself:
