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2nd Annual CDT Hiker Hoopla

September 26, 2014 at Marias Pass
Category: Community | | 4 min read

Chimichanga, Banana Pants, Marmot, Bloodbank and El Jefe

Introducing some of this years hikers on the Contintental Divide Trail. The tradition is to travel the long trails with a moniker given by other hikers derived from a memorable experience or personality quark. In the case of Banana Pants…we have no idea how he earned that name and we don't want to know, either.  These folks are epic in our book (despite their trail names sometimes). 

These hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts from around the country, are finishing up their epic trek in Montana right now and we're going to throw them a party! Why don't you join us? 

So what's a thru-hiker anyway? 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. Check out the trail journals from some 2014 CDT hikers here and get to know the Warrior Hike soldiers that will also be celebrating with us. 

CDT Hiker Hoopla Celebration Details

The Montana Wilderness Association invites thru-hikers, CDT Montana volunteers and other interested outdoor friends to join us on Friday, September 26th to celebrate the Continental Divide Trail. Along with our generous host the Summit Mountain Lodge, MWA is inviting you to a dinner on the Divide complete with live music from 21st Amendment (acoustic/bluegrass/rock). Click here for the location in Google Maps. 

Pitch your tent on site, 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 extra bucks.  MWA is kindly asking for a $20 donation for the night (includes food, drink, live music and camping) to help us off set the cost of the event and to support CDT trail work (please and thank you). 

  • 5pm – Doors open (please don't arrive early – we won't be ready, thank you)
  • 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

Hoopla Savings! Summit Mountain Lodge is offering a 20% discount for a HIker Hoopla guests for any cabin booking (valid for new bookings only). Hurry up and make your reservations; space is limited. Click here for online booking.

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

Please set
Click on the image above to view larger version (and read small text at bottom). 

 

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 19th

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 September 19th 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
Warrior Hike
Ten Spoon Vineyard & Winery
SuperFeet Insoles
Mountain Khakis
Kalispell Brewing Co.
Red Ants Pants
Patagonia Outlet Dilon, MT
Osprey Packs
LEKI
Crazy Creek Chairs
Eagle Creek 
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
Seattle Sports Company
Adventure Medical Kits
Hiker Trash
Buff USA

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