21 day CT July thru......advice on resupply.

[SloowJoe]

I'm planning to go Breckenridge to Durango, starting 7/15/17. Maildrops at Twin Lakes, Monarch Pass, Lake City, and Silverton. Hoping for 15 mpd, but 10 will work; I'll just need to buy supplemental food then. I don't need or want town exposure, though, so hope I can do 15. I live near Grand Junction at 9000', so don't need altitude adjustment.

I've wanted to do this ever since the trail was inaugurated 30 years ago, and now, at age 65, I'm going to give it a try.

If you see a one-armed guy with a German Shorthair pup on the trail, that's us. She's my sweet Sally.

Joe

[saltysack]

Getting into Breck is pretty easy with the free bus system and it is easy to avoid a long wait at the road by downloading the schedule ahead of time and timing arrival (taking a break in a better spot if needed to time it well). I remember there being an early bus to get back on trail. I used the local bus system to slack pack between Breck and Copper Mountain. I spent two nights in Breck at the hostel and would do that again.

I resupplied in Salida and stayed at the hostel taking a zero there. The hitch in was interesting ... I got to Poncha Springs and then had to hire a taxi for the rest of the way. Would suggest confirming with the driver that he's heading into Salida before accepting a ride since hitching on a busy road in a place where hikers aren't common is not easy. I arranged a shuttle back to the trail at the hostel. I would probably send a box to Monarch Crest if I do the CT again.

The hitch to Lake City took a long time but I got there and hired a shuttle to get back on trail. I'd probably do that again, or perhaps walk into Creede.

Curious how much time did you eat up slacking with free bus? You think would be worth slacking early morning then back out of Cooper few more miles that evening...could do the 15 miles from Breck to Cooper bus back to hostel clean up, reload and eat and back to Cooper.....thoughts. Was this effort worth the light pack for those 15 miles?


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[lonehiker]

I did a section Denver to Copper Mountain where I used the bus to get back to Breckenridge. I don't remember the bus schedule but don't think I waited more than about 30 - 45 minutes for the bus. I have also done a section Denver to Mt. Princeton hot springs where I simply resupplied in Breckenridge and hiked, with full re-supply, past Copper Mountain. Honestly if I were doing it I would skip the bus back and hike past Copper Mountain. Seems like too much of a hassle just to get another shower. If you only want another meal, you can eat in Copper Mountain.

[10-K]

I've started doing CT planning for July as well (July 22).

I ordered Yogi's guide because I like the detailed resupply info and after skimming through it my plan is to pack enough to get to Breckenridge and wing it from there. Looks like there might be 2 sections that involve carrying 4.5 days of food but other than that it looks very manageable. After experiencing some longish-difficult hitches on the CDT getting and and out of town on the CT doesn't look quite so formidable.

[Obiwan]

What works for me, since I left Colorado for the flatland's. First night in Denver. Next day go up to RMNP Alpine visitors center at 12,000 ft for the afternoon. Sleep doen lower

Generally gets me comfortably over 12,000 foot passes

[Obiwan]

Swami did the CT in 15 days which gives me hope that I might pull off 3 weeks http://www.thehikinglife.com/2015/10...l-trip-report/

[saltysack]

Swami did the CT in 15 days which gives me hope that I might pull off 3 weeks http://www.thehikinglife.com/2015/10...l-trip-report/

Yea and John Z did it in 10.....they both were haulin arse!


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[TrappedInsideACube]

Yea and John Z did it in 10.....they both were haulin arse!


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And if you haven't seen it already, his video is awesome:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk6CrWJdRto

[saltysack]

And if you haven't seen it already, his video is awesome:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk6CrWJdRto

Yea saw it.....JZ is a machine.....nuts...


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[Venchka]

Anish has solved the resupply dilemma. Don't do any.
Wayne

[saltysack]

Anish has solved the resupply dilemma. Don't do any.
Wayne

That's what JZ did...50 mpd w 10 days of food......incredible...I get nervous about 21 day after day.....uggg


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[swisscross]

That's what JZ did...50 mpd w 10 days of food......incredible...I get nervous about 21 day after day.....uggg


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Suk it up buttercup. Take them all down..

[Venchka]

I didn't mean to slight JZ. I wasn't aware of his accomplishments.
Wayne


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[saltysack]

Anyone know availability of alcohol fuel on trail, I'm assuming it's not likely to find for sale by oz.....i imagine heet in 8oz bottle is most common. I'd rather keep to 4oz but assume it's not likely. Any experience?


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[Venchka]

I've seen 12 ounce yellow bottles of HEET at WallyWorld. Is that the right stuff for stoves?
Educated Guess: The service station and convenience store in Sargent, CO might be a likely source. No clue where the CT is in relation to Sargent.
Good luck!
Wayne


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[saltysack]

I've seen 12 ounce yellow bottles of HEET at WallyWorld. Is that the right stuff for stoves?
Educated Guess: The service station and convenience store in Sargent, CO might be a likely source. No clue where the CT is in relation to Sargent.
Good luck!
Wayne


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Thx...trying to keep my load as light as possible....along the AT many hostels, outfitters etc sell it by oz as I carry a 4oz squirt bottle that will last me about 5 days....I hate to waste but would end up buying and tossing the rest in a recycle or trash bin...


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[lonehiker]

I used alcohol when hiking the CT. I found it easily in all my re-supply locations. Breck, Leadville, Buena Vista, Creede, Silverton. think that has been all of the locations that I have gone in for re-supply.

[lonehiker]

To clarify, I bought bottles of Heet.

[Venchka]

Thx...trying to keep my load as light as possible....along the AT many hostels, outfitters etc sell it by oz as I carry a 4oz squirt bottle that will last me about 5 days....I hate to waste but would end up buying and tossing the rest in a recycle or trash bin...


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Ask the vendors if they would like your leftovers for the winter?
Wayne


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[saltysack]

Ask the vendors if they would like your leftovers for the winter?
Wayne


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Good point...I'll check hiker boxes for heet first as I'm sure others did same...


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