I am beyond excited to hit the road this coming week, to finally be heading west to explore the Colorado Rocky Mountains and the wilder spaces of Utah and Arizona.

The first time I tried to plan this trip was in the late fall of 2017; it was the wrong time of the year to attempt driving so far west for the first time, and for so many months, plus I was not in the right frame of mind for such a massive excursion. Now, the stars have aligned, and not only is the timing perfect—and my frame of mind so much better—I also have so many more friends and connections in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. The workings of the Universe are really quite amazing.

Amazingly enough, I will have a hiking partner for the Colorado Trail; this is huge for me, seeing as I tend to adventure solo these days.

Ally Draime was working for NOLS Patagonia in the equipment room this past season, while I was participating in the Patagonia Year program, a course she had completed herself the preceding year. Through our conversations, I discovered she was interested in becoming a NOLS instructor just like I was, and we seemed to share a passion for outdoor living and wilderness exploration. About a week ago, Ally reached out to me on Instagram stating she wanted to go on an adventure and that when she saw my plan to hike the CT, she was inspired to join me.

My first thought was, “Yay! I will have a female friend to hike with for a week or so!” A rare thing. Then she clarified, explaining she wanted to commit to hiking the whole trail. I was totally shocked! I occasionally invite people to meet me out on the trail when I’m hiking, but rarely do things pan out, after all, I’m usually somewhere remote and communication is hard and logistics can be tricky. I never imagined anyone would see one of my trip plans and go, “Yes, I totally want to commit to walk for about a month—470+ miles—with you!” Naturally I was both thrilled and skeptical, did she really know what she was getting into?

She did, in fact, and she’s just as excited as I am to wander around in the mountains, exploring all the glorious wilderness they have to offer for the better part of a month.

I am filled with gratitude today; not one ounce of beauty will be lost on me as I drive and walk and experience a new part of the North American continent; I am going to soak in every moment and, above all else, remain flexible, because if I know anything for sure, it’s that plans have a way of changing.

So with out further ado, here are the things I will carry as I walk:

My Gear for the CT (and AZT)

Backpack: 

Gossamer Gear Mariposa (60L) + trash-bag liner (not pictured)

Shelter: 

Tarp Tent Protrail  + trekking poles (2)

Sleep System: 

Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20°F quilt + Hoodlum, Cocoon travel pillow, Thermarest Neo Air XLite (sleeping pad)

Extra Layers: 

Patagonia Base Layer (hooded top, no longer in production); Smart Wool Base Layer (leggings); Darn Tough Vermont socks (1 thick pair for sleep, one thin pair for walking); Enlightened Equipment Torrid APEX Jacket (hoodless), Sidekicks (puffy booties), Visp (rain jacket); Arcteryx Toque; Outdoor Research wool liner gloves

Water Treatment: 

Aquatabs; Sawyer Micro Squeeze; scoop (cut-off water bottle bottom); 1L Smart Water bottle; 2L Platypus

Odds & Ends: 

Petzyl e+Lite headlamp; Kula Cloth (pee cloth), Granite Gear Hiker Wallet; paracord (bear-bag rope); 20L dry bag for food storage; face net (for bugs); Gossamer Gear bamboo spoon; Talenti jar (cold soak meals); large tent stake (trowel); face buff; sunglasses; Gossamer Gear Liteflex Umbrella; small journal & pen

Technology:

 iPhone 11; GoPro Hero 7 Black + 3 batteries and charger; Anker battery block (will charge phone 2.5X); Garmin InReach Explorer  

Navigation:

Colorado Trail Pocket Data Book

Expected Base Weight: 14lbs

There is dual purpose to my journey out west; while I am traveling primarily to hike and enjoy a part of the country that is new to me, I am also searching for something. It is hard to put into words what exactly I hope to find, though; I am not looking for “home” in the traditional sense, I suppose I am looking for “a way of being”, one that is sustainable for me.

Some of the questions I have asked myself recently are: How can I continue to travel and hike in a cost efficient way, while still taking advantage of opportunities to earn income? How can I stay “out” longer in remote areas? What are some steps I can take to reduce my carbon footprint? What does “home” look/feel like to me? What are some things I can live without? What do I really need to be happy?

I have this feeling, deep in my gut, that I am going to find the answers to my questions out there, in the mountains and in the desert, and I believe I will recognize what it is I am searching for when I see it.

After all, “The best journeys in life are those that answer questions you never thought to ask.” —Rich Ridgeway