COntinental Divide Trail versus Appalachian
March 15th, 2010
Ok – to all you trekkers out there. I am trying to decide between these two trails, and I could do with a little help.
My major consideration is walking something that is good to write about. From this perspective, it would seem to me that the Appalachian is a great one – offering lots of weird and wonderful characters along the way, and plenty of scope for writing. But the Continental Divide Trail seems a truly beautiful walk, and challenging in other ways.
I guess I am more interested in encountering people than wildlife – I draw much of my fascination in travel from finding odd and intriguing characters, and although I love my time out walking in solitude, I love also the constant company of those I encounter.
Having never spent a long time in the States, I would love to hear from anyone who has walked either of these trails, and could give me a little insight into the relative merits.
Email me directly, paula@constanttrek.com, or just add a comment to this site.
Thanks…
Paula
Entry Filed under: trekking
3 Comments Add your own
1. cyberhobo | March 17th, 2010 at 4:38 am
Having hiked most of the CDT, much of it on my own while being resupplied by my wife, I’d have to say that solitude is probably the single biggest challenge for a solo hiker. If you hike the high season you can definitely spend time with other hikers, but differences in pace and style tend to limit it eventually. The AT I have not hiked, but I hear that it is a far more social experience. The Pacific Crest Trail might be somewhere in the middle, with long wilderness sections but more hikers than the CDT. The CDT and PCT both have nice desert sections.
As far as writing, I know you’ll write well about any trail you hike. My encounters with people on the PCT and CDT drastically revised my view of humanity.
2. paula | March 17th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
My cyberhobo – was your opinion revised in a good or a bad way? So far according to emails, the CDT is winning the debate…and it really does look stunning. I had better start actually training at some point soon….
3. cyberhobo | March 19th, 2010 at 12:46 am
Good! The CDT has its own brand of nomad hospitality.
Also, a recommendation for all, watch the longest version you can stand of Cookie and Paul do America.
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