Posts
CDT JOY: Solo Camping in Grizzly Country
At camp I set up the tent, hung my food bag, then set up my air mattress and sleeping bag and enjoyed the sounds of the rain on my tent in the rain. It is my first night camping alone here on the CDT. There may not be other hikers around for many miles unlike my experiences with the AT and it can be lonely not seeing a single human all day.
CDT JOY: Waterfalls and Mountain Views in Glacier National Park
Today I’m feeling like a proper thru hiker. The day you know you smell and don’t feel the need to do anything about it. The day you eat part of that protein bar that fell on the ground because… calories. And the day when day hikers walk past and all you can smell is there laundry detergent wafting from them as you exchange a friendly “hello”.
CDT JOY: Starting a New Adventure
After a few photos I made my first steps as a southbound CDT hiker hoping to walk a continuous footpath across the entire county and ending at the Mexican border in just a few months. The views were stunning today with snow capped mountains, fields of wildflowers, stunning streams and waterfalls, and cruisy terrain. Because of the shorter mileage in Glacier with permits, I took several breaks for photos and to soak it all in.
CDT JOY: Counting Down to the Start of Trail
Time is flying both incredibly slowly and incredibly fast in my time between hiking the Arizona trail and Continental Divide trail. I have spent more time preparing for my SOBO CDT trip than any other adventure I have been on before.
Joy’s CDT Gear List
I am a hiker that if I can't access it while hiking, I probably won't stop and take off my pack to get it. I have had bad chaffing, blisters, headaches, and sunburn all because I didn't want to grab the things I needed from inside my ditty bag. It is because of this that I have a lot of stuff in my fanny pack.
Hiker Intro: I’m Joy… Nice to Meet You
Why do I thu hike? The short answer is because I can. I was in a serious car accident in 2014 that changed my perspective on life. I don't take my good health and physical fitness for granted. I knew I wanted to save as much money as possible to afford myself a life in which I was free to do what I wanted, when I wanted to do it. During the pandemic, I started getting into hiking and eventually backpacking as a hobby that allowed me to be away from people and connect with nature. This led to several weekend and week long backpacking trips and the urge to do something bigger and really challenge myself. In 2024 I sold my home in Arizona, quit my job, and was ready to take a chance on my passion and thu hike the Appalachian trail. It was a challenge that scared me and I knew I would be a better human for doing something that pushed me and my limits.