CDT Hiker Hoopla September 20th, 2013

Green Flash, Breeze, Pappa Smurf, Muleskinner, Jester and Tickled Pink

This is not a list of the latest pop singer monikers in the tween world, but rather names for a different kind of celebrity. Celebrities in the trail community. 

These are all thru-hikers that have journeyed the 3,100 miles on the Continental Divide Trail from Mexico to Canada this summer. These folks, and other hikers from around the country, are finishing up their epic trek in Montana right now and we're going to throw them a party! Join us.

What's a thru-hiker? Well, the term refers to hiking a long-distance trail end-to-end. Most CDT thru-hikers begin in New Mexico, walk through Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and then end in Montana at the Canadian border. No matter how you do it, the CDT is said to be one of the last, more rugged and more challenging trails that long distance hikers take on.

CDT Hiker Hoopla Celebration Details

The Montana Wilderness Association invites thru-hikers, CDT Montana volunteers and other interested outdoor friends to join us on Sept. 20th to celebrate the Continental Divide Trail. Along with our generous host the Summit Mountain Lodge, MWA is inviting you to a BBQ on the Divide complete with live music from 21st Amendment (acoustic/bluegrass/rock). Click here for location in Google Maps. 

Pitch your tent on site—no charge—have a beer, shake a tail feather, listen to live music and enjoy some delicious food. Raffle tickets will be sold for great outdoor gear prizes so bring a few bucks. Donations are gladly accepted to help us off set the cost of the event and to support CDT trail work (please and thank you). 

• 5pm – Doors open
• 6pm – Welcome & Thank Yous
• 6:30/7pm – Dinner
• After Dinner – Raffle Drawing (bring a few bucks to buy tickets)
• 8-10pm – Music & Dancing
• 11pm – Shhhhh… or go be loud away from sleeping people in tents

Other stuff we should mention: No dogs please. No drugs whatsoever. Smoking (tobacco only) permitted in designated areas only near lodge. Private cabins are available for rent with shower/bathroom. No public showers, but portable toilets available. Food storage in bear country observed; food must be in secure, closed vehicle or stashed in the lodge. Do not keep food in tents. Please do not cook in sleeping/tent areas. Respect your neighbors if you want to stay up late-night please. 

CDT Montana Trail Stewardship Program

Since 1978, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail was designated to provide for high quality, scenic, primitive hiking, horseback riding, and non-motorized recreational experiences, and to conserve natural, historical and cultural resources along the divide. Sadly, the CDNST is only 78% complete. And did you know that the largest unfinished section is the Montana/Idaho section at only 58% complete.

With dedicated volunteers and agency partners, the Montana Wilderness Association is working to complete the CDNST with our agency partners and hard-working volunteers. Each summer CDT Montana hosts over a dozen volunteer projects to build new trail or maintain existing trail. If you want to know more head to the CDT project pages and look at the good work we've done by browsing our photos from this summer.

RSVP Requested Before Sept 18th

Please RSVP if you are on Facebook at this event link. Or send an email with a list of folks to join us (how many?) to Shannon at sfreix@wildmontana.org before Sept. 18th please. If you show up without an RSVP we kindly ask you to bring your own food (or feel it out before you pig out) as we did not plan on you and may not have enough to share. Running out of food or drinks at a party is never cool so we appreciate your efforts to help us stay cool. 

Sponsors Rock!

Events like this don't just “happen”. It takes the local trail commmnity to rally behind the scenes, donate free food, beer, gear, etc. Please help us thank the following folks—buy their stuff, send them an email, spread the good word. Thank them for supporting CDT efforts. We are grateful and appreciate that they want to see this trail complete, too. Please tell them we sent you. 

Summit Mountain Lodge
Blackfoot River Brewery
SuperFeet Insoles
Off Trail Photography
Mountain Khakis
Kalispell Brewing Co.
Red Ants Pants
Shane “Jester” O'Donnell, Embrace the Brutality
Barefoot Wine
Patagonia Outlet Dilon, MT
Osprey Packs
LEKI
Lowa  Boots
Crazy Creek Chairs
Eagle Creek