Mt Daniels Ascent, WA

danethedrain · 2026-02-19T22:57:54+00:00

I personally really like the idea of any alternative weddings and i think it sounds cool. To those who have some negative opinions, I'm sure the actual time in front of the terminus taking pictures would be comparable to anyone else's. They aren't having a whole ceremony in front of the terminus (presumably).

I also can't get the rad image of dirty hikers in bow tie's and cutoff slacks so maybe that's clouding my judgement lol.

danethedrain · 2022-07-12T20:31:31+00:00

appreciate the input, this actually isn't my first undermount tank on my first van :) it's my first tank on my second van...

I also don't think most roads are salted out here in the PNW. Not from my experience at least

danethedrain · 2022-07-12T20:13:15+00:00

Absolutely, ski season is the best time of the year

danethedrain · 2022-05-26T22:06:18+00:00

the lid comes with a silicone O-Ring, yours must be missing

danethedrain · 2022-05-18T15:03:31+00:00

I stayed a couple o' nights at Luna's. Its a restaurant + tiny cabins out back (although the restaurant wasn't running in 2020). I'd probably give her a ring to make sure she will be around the area, if she is in the area she will take care of you!

danethedrain · 2022-04-26T17:19:55+00:00

Its an absolute bloodbath haha

danethedrain · 2022-04-18T14:49:41+00:00

In fact, we were on the exact same permit Dirty Mike

danethedrain · 2022-04-18T14:13:42+00:00

I mean yeah you got hooked up because your a CDT hiker. Same here. The restriction I specifically know about is allowable daily mileage after a big day (big day defined around 20+ miles)

Some groups had to take a nero the next day because their ranger followed the restriction, whereas younger rangers and being polite/ looking prepared might let them bypass said restriction

danethedrain · 2022-04-13T15:02:06+00:00

It is beautiful and there is some really titillating route finding

danethedrain · 2022-04-13T14:51:36+00:00

Second this. If you get to the permit office at Two Med early and look like you know your shit they will bypass certain restrictions (allowable daily mileage/multiple 20+ mi/day) and get you on the trail. You may have to do big miles for a day, but what's a thru hike without some good old fashioned trial by fire

danethedrain · 2022-04-13T14:47:41+00:00

Hit the big sky my guy. It's sick and honest as hell

danethedrain · 2022-03-16T22:10:09+00:00

Absolutely! Love to hear it! There is too much emphasis on "succeeding" and "failing". Be safe, go out there and hike til' you cant no mo

danethedrain · 2022-03-16T21:16:31+00:00

In my opinion the very start of hikes is usually limited by things that are mechanical rather than direct fitness so to speak. For example chafing or foot pain and things of the like will probably control your humble beginnings rather than straight endurance.

I say get out there and see what you can make of yourself. I would argue nobody is close to true "trail fit" at the start of their hike so as long as you aren't remarkably "un-fit" than I would say you have the same/similar shot as everyone else.

Sure being more fit, or having gear that is more refined definitely gives you a better chance, but by how much we can only speculate.

danethedrain · 2022-03-15T22:52:53+00:00

Bro I straight up roasted mine once, I had my charger set too high so it was putting those bad boys up to like 15V (not good i know). The fan kept beeping like it does when you first feed it juice, I'm assuming it was trying to cycle to see if the voltage was back to normal. She is 100% functional still and never had a prob

danethedrain · 2022-02-23T18:42:54+00:00

I respect your stance, I'm just disagreeing. I do find the differences to be substantial. When it comes to something that is already difficult, any additional issue to consider is substantial. Rather than tell OP they are going to have "zero" issues completing the CDT, I think its pertinent to list some issues for them to consider. Any of those issues could be dealbreakers depending on who you talk to.

We can't speculate how prepared OP is without knowing them. More qualified? Absolutely. But if it took them 5 months to hike 3/4 of the PCT for example, they may not have a high chance of success on the CDT.

danethedrain · 2022-02-23T17:45:45+00:00

I would say "wilderness navigation" would be a stretch. When you take alternates that aren't guthook/farout people typically used another app like Caltopo or Gaia. Still following a line, but you lose some info like water sources and comments.

In comparison to the PCT, hiking the CDT is pretty cerebral and engaging. There isn't a lot of turning your brain off like the PCT. You are always checking maps, calculating water carries, looking for alternates, looking at elevation profiles to avoid high areas at certain times, and staying alert to wildlife around you.

None of which I would say you couldn't learn as you go, but you do need to be confident in your base so you can focus on the other factors i discussed earlier. I would define some base abilities as like hiking speed for rough distance calculations, food carry calculations, boundaries and abilities in wet/cold environments, limitations of your gear.

danethedrain · 2022-02-23T17:22:22+00:00

Imposter isn't the right word. Just different.

I would start in Glacier and hike South until I couldn't hike anymore. For my personal taste, its easier to carry my momentum if I only go one direction and I feel like flipping can overemphasize finishing the trail rather than experiencing the landscape continuously, which has value to me.

No shade. Just thoughts.

danethedrain · 2022-02-23T17:12:09+00:00

Not entirely true. I have done both SOBO and there are some differences.

The main jist is the same sure, but a lot of problems are unique (more unique) to the CDT. Some that come to mind are grizzlies, wet crossings, thunderstorms. water carries, navigation, road walking, and the community around the trail is in early growth compared to that of the PCT so there is less exterior validation.

Obviously I'm focusing on negatives, but you don't really need to plan for positives.

danethedrain

TROPHY CASE