How Dangerous is the Continental Divide Trail?

00:59 Alone/Remote
04:49 The Trail Is Not Complete
07:15 Exposure
09:48 Lightning
15:10 Dehydration
17:41 Wildlife
19:20 Snow Traverses (San Juans)
22:40 Hypothermia

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[vitaflo]

NOAA Storm Spotter here, some of what you said about lightening is true, some are old myths. First, lightning is not attracted to metal, it will always take the path of least resistance, it doesn't care what the makeup of the item struck is. The 30/30 rule is fine, but in reality the general rule is if you can hear thunder, you can be struck by lightning. Also keep in mind that when lightning strikes the ground, it spreads out along the ground in all directions. Never be on all fours and certainly do not lay down. Less point of contact with the ground the better (IE, be on two feet). While lightning will often hit tall objects, it doesn't need to. Lightening travels in 150ft increments on its way down, taking the path of least resistance on each step. If you are the tallest object within its last 150ft you might be that path, even if there's a tall tree 300ft away from you. The safest place to be is a shelter, otherwise lightning crouch. If your hair is starting to stand up like it was in your video, you need to take action immediately. This means positive charge is rising through you towards the negatively charged part of the storm. You are MUCH more likely to be struck if this happens, as the negatively charged storm seeks out positive charge on the ground. Stay safe out there.

[crystalcreekstonejewelry]

I'm a Colorado native and have done a fair bit of hiking and backpacking in the state. Of all the risks, lightning is the one that I take the most seriously. I've been in a few electrical storms in our mountains during monsoon season (July and August). They can be quite nasty and fast forming. Your hair standing up while you were on the ridge was pretty frightening. You kept your cool. I would have been making a bee-line for the shortest distance down into the trees. Good info here, thanks for sharing! Edit: Also, with animals, you mentioned snakes, bears, and mountain lions. Lot of people don't realize that moose can be dangerous in Colorado. They don't move like deer or elk and will charge/trample a person who doesn't give them space. If you face a moose, walk well around it. Don't walk right by it just because it won't get out of your path.

[ChefKristiThymetoCook]

Hi Dixie, I wanted to let you know that something you said on the CDT really impacted me. You mentioned that there are two kinds of people those who think of all the things they want to do but never do it and those who embrace the challenge and go for it. I have decided to go for it and I’ve started a cooking YouTube channel. I am a hiker and have enjoyed watching all your through hikes. But seriously thank you!

[yourroyalhighness]

I am astonished by your courage. Grizzly bears, mountain lions, deadly snakes, the threat of dangerous weather and the chance of running into the wrong type of individual...too much for me. I applaud your spirit of adventure!

[Ureyeuh]

If you're in Colorado during "monsoon season" just expect thunderstorms every single day at or after 12 noon. Just expect it.

[kb]

Regarding hypothermia - I learned it as the Umbles. If a person is stumbling about when they walk, mumbling when trying to speak, and/or fumbling when trying to do simple tasks with their hands (and having been in conditions where hypothermia could occur) go check on them. Could be other medical issues as well but the key is just to be observant of each other out there.

Thanks for another quality video!

[codycouture]

Seeing the guy with the fly swatter always makes me smile

[DirtDigglerDetecting]

I have anxiety and your Videos are really helping me just get outside. Knowing you hike so far. Thank you.

[johnalden]

Very good points regarding hypothermia (among your other good points). It's a constant thing to look out for, and people often do not self-diagnose. Rainy weather, accompanied by wind and falling temps, can be dangerous in every area of the country, but higher elevations are particularly a threat. It's a good idea when you meet a hiker in these conditions (either passing them or going the other way) to ask how they're doing and observe to see whether they seem panicky, confused or distressed. Sometimes the best thing is to just get them in a tent, in their bags and in warm clothes. Have them eat something and wait for the weather to change.

[georgedelgado]

I hiked the CDT 2019 _ a newer danger that is emerging is being in beetle kill pine during high winds. Twice I witnessed trees falling like toothpicks all around me especially in Montana.

[felipecastellon]

Thank you for being candid. Much too many you tubers want to show the fun and cool thrill of the wilderness but I know that this is not always the case. There is a reason why the boy scouts which I was one, teach to be prepared and the mountaineers from Seattle came up with the ten essentials.

[darkbluematter]

I was the most scared for you watching the CDT series compared to the other trails, the heights and lightening, but it was truly spectacular. Glad you took us along.

[Clarke]

Enjoyed the video Dixie! One thing: dry camping is no big deal, not sure why so many make it out to be. It just means you take the water with you to camp. And no, you’re not going to spill it all and be stranded. It’s important because in the arid west where water sources are not plentiful, these sources need to be unobstructed during the night so that animals can get to them. If you camp there the animals will smell you and not come for a drink. People also like to pee and poop when they get up so not camping near water makes ensures that riparian areas/water sources won’t be negatively impacted. I’ll get off my soapbox now. Hike well mates.

[theravenloons]

I do a lot of desert hiking, which I consider most of the CDT to be, compared to the AT/ PCT. Dehydration is the silent killer here; Out of state friends often come from lower elevations and are breathing heavily within the first mile. I constantly have to keep an eye on their water intake. The exertion, the breathing, the environment, are all working to suck every drop of water out of you. If you aren't urinating regularly, or your pee is darker, you really need to up your intake. Some advice on water sources; peach (fruit in general, but peach is the worst IMHO) flavoring enhances the taste of frog in tadpole water, and the warmer it is, the less you want it. Fizz does help to an extent, but after some trial and error I've found carbon filtration does make a difference, and it's worth the extra weight for me. I've even gone so far as to carry a frozen bottle of water next to my H2O bladder in areas of the desert, because hot frog water makes me gag. Much like in cooking, the colder something is, the less you can REALLY taste it. (Ice cream excluded)- Just some advice from a desert hiker.

[tonydownunder]

Hi, My name is Tony from Australia 🇦🇺. I just want to say that I have just finished watching all 3 of your Triple Crown Trails 👑 Congratulations and well done 👍I to have done the Triple Crown Trails. YES. I did every step with you, When you were tiered I was tiered, When you were hungry I was hungry, When you were wet and cold I was wet and cold, When you got considered I got considered, When you had good and bad ups and downs I had good and bad ups and downs, When you finished each trail I finished each trail. Wow 😳 it was incredible to do those Trails with you. The way you showed these traits on your videos really really made me feel I was with you.
Thank you so much for sharing and showing. And yes I'm watching more of your videos 👍👍👍👍👍

[madratter]

Your hair was nuts !!! People thought I was lying about feeling the tingle of electricity and my hair standing up while I was touching a tractor trailer during a storm. It made me so nervous I ran and jumped inside the truck.. That was 1994 on the Eastern end of Long island. I'll never forget it.

[bearanoia]

The CDT definitely seems more remote and wild. You really had trail extremes out there. The mountain lion, grizzly sightings, lightning and that truly sketchy snow storm at the end - maybe some day! 🐻🌲

[CarolynsRVLife]

This was an awesome video, I really want to do the CDT someday and your info was practical without overplaying the danger. Thank you for that.

[OneEyeHikes]

Good info and guidance Dixie! Realizing we need to balance risks etc... I heard someone say once, “if your not living on the edge, your taking up too much space.” However, we still need to use critical thinking and common sense! You covered this subject very well in every respect!

[jeffperson]

The lightning stance is meant to minimize the chance of getting hit by lightning and the effects of a near strike. Yes, the strike is VERY loud (personal experience). Keeping the minimum of ground contact (balls of feet) deals with the voltage gradient set up from the current flowing through the ground. With your feet apart a near strike could cause hundreds of volts between your feet which could cause a current to flow through you. Also if you are in a group, stay about 50 feet from each other. If one of you is affected by the strike, then the other(s) can render aid.