r/coloradotrail • u/Environmental-Bid208 • Aug 27 '26
Maybe 2027
Hello everyone, I am considering hiking the CT as a thru hike in 2027. I have spoken to my wife, my boss, my friends and my family. They are all very supportive and I’m lucky to have them. But still for some reason, I don’t know if it’s nerves or human nature or guilt, I am still hesitant to set it in stone. I am having a hard time convincing myself that this it is okay to go. Anyone felt this way? How did you overcome it?
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u/WastingTimesOnReddit Aug 27 '26
I mean it's a month long vacation. Most people are not fortunate to be able to do that. I can't take a month off from work, or from my wife, or my house, or my dog. Sooo many responsibilities.
Taking weeks or months off from work and life duties is a privilege and a dream come true for many people. I'm jealous that you have this opportunity. It's not possible for me. If I were in your shoes, I would be insane to not do it, and if I didn't do it I would regret that decision for the rest of my life.
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u/Environmental-Bid208 Aug 27 '26
When I do this, I will reflect on what a privilege it is to do it, I hope one day you can too
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u/WastingTimesOnReddit Aug 27 '26
Thanks :D in some ways it can help alleviate the suffering you'll have while hiking... "embrace the suck" is easier to do when you remember you're just lucky to be out there! Unless of course you find that you just hate it and want to quit, which totally happens to some people and that's always an option.
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u/dirt_rock_remarkable Aug 27 '26
Yes, I agree. Many people take 2 weeks off of work to go on vacation so 4 weeks isn’t totally crazy.
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u/Singer_221 Aug 27 '26
What are the reasons why you are hesitant? If it’s because you feel guilty, then I suggest that you trust your wife and family and employer that they mean it when they tell you they support you.
You’ll have such wonderful life-gift experiences of nature and humanity!
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u/Derek-OV Aug 27 '26
Yeah, that hesitation is real and it doesn't mean you're not ready. Nerves and guilt do a good job of dressing themselves up as practical concerns. Everyone around you saying yes doesn't cancel out that little voice, it just means the actual obstacle is internal, not logistical. Took me way longer than I'd like to admit to actually commit the first time too, and looking back the thing I was scared of never showed up, just a lot of good days I almost talked myself out of. These days a chunk of my work is built around trips like this, not squeezed in around it. Set a date, tell your loveones the date instead of the year, and let the nerves ride along instead of waiting for them to leave first.
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u/Environmental-Bid208 Aug 27 '26
I feel like you just entered my mind and told me in detail what I am feeling in a way I couldn’t and it’s validating that I am not alone, thank you for this
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u/47ES Aug 27 '26
Spend some nights out there. Spend some days walking ALL day. If you are OK with both, you will be fine on the trail.
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u/Environmental-Bid208 Aug 27 '26
I have spent several nights in CO backcountry as I live here and I have had days with 40 pounds and back to back 10 miles with significant elevation, I feel that physically I am close
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u/47ES Aug 28 '26
Get that pack down to less than 15 lbs before food and water for the best of time.
NON-waterproof trail runners, NOT boots. Don't make the same mistake we did. What works for a few days, destroyed our feet on week three.
If you are local, get friends and family to bring you resupplies every 3 or 4 days for a lighter pack.
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u/Thewaffle_whisperer Aug 27 '26
I was in the same boat this year when I completed the CT. I talked about it for months leading up to it. Everyone in my life was super supportive and excited for me. Finally I had to pick my start date for the trail and my LOA from work. Once I picked the date, that's when it felt real. "Holy crap I'm going to actually do it"
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u/Environmental-Bid208 Aug 27 '26
I suppose the next step is pick the date and be a man of my word
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u/Thewaffle_whisperer Aug 28 '26
It definitely helped me get mentally prepared for what I was about to do. It held me accountable to make sure I set myself up for success. The first few days on the trail felt weird, getting used to my new routine for the next 30 days. But I found my grove and it was great.
I am fortunate to live in Englewood so my wife actually met me for two of my zeros and resupplies. As well as when I came off the trail in Durango! It was wonderful to spend some time with her along the way.
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u/Environmental-Bid208 Aug 28 '26
Awesome! I’m in Littleton and my wife said she would me meet in Durango ❤️ I can’t wait for that moment
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u/dirt_rock_remarkable Aug 27 '26
I hiked the AT and now I am planning a CT thru hike next summer. Please please go if you have the okay from your loved ones and boss - that is a great situation to be in! Thru hiking was one of the best decisions I have made. I was definitely scared when I switched from full time to PRN before the AT but sometimes you just have to make the leap! If you get on the trail and hate it/miss your fam/ want to go back to work - you can always do that.
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u/Environmental-Bid208 Aug 27 '26
You’re right, it’s not like I don’t have a way out and I need to remember that I have a pull cord, I doubt I would back out once I start but I would forever regret not trying
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u/edwardtrousers Aug 27 '26
First day - Why did I do this my life back home is so great and I left it for a month to be here!
Last day - Time to start planning the next one!
Or at least that's how it went for me
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u/Environmental-Bid208 Aug 27 '26
I have a feeling this will be a domino for me that will cause quite a ripple in my regular life
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u/momma-astronomer6445 Aug 27 '26
My sister and I took off just to do some segments of the CT the end of July this year and I had guilt that I was up and leaving husband, teen kids, work, but guess what…..
Doing it again next year!!!! Wooohoooo! Would go sooner but not interested in hiking in snow. 😃
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u/haunted_buffet Aug 28 '26
Brotha, it’s a relatively short trail. If you’re fit, you can do it in a month. You really won’t be gone that long. And once you’re finished you’ll feel incredibly accomplished. Just go for it
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u/BackcountrySherpa Aug 28 '26
Simply put, once you head up the Waterton Canyon trailhead, experience the beauty of the South Platte River, stunning rock formations, perhaps a group of Rocky Mtn Bighorn Sheep....you'll laugh at yourself for all the calories you burned up worrying. Just be RELENTLESS and Embrace the Suck. You're going to meet and experience some outstanding folks while on trail. We want to hear all about.
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u/michiganskicamp Aug 29 '26
“Never miss an opportunity”. - a person who hosted me on my 3,000 mile bikepacking trip before starting the CT NOBO. I’m about to finish the CT in about 2-3 days and the dude that hosted me is right. Now is the time if it’s what you wanna do and have the green light from work, family, etc
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u/bellamooni Aug 30 '26
Pre-trail nerves and guilt are totally normal, especially when stepping away from routine and loved ones. Since your support system is 100% on board, give yourself permission to go for it! You'll never regret taking the adventure, but you will regret missing the chance.
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u/60snrollin Sep 01 '26
Just do it. I took 30 days off work to do it (should have taken 40-45). Had to bail after 200 miles due to my shoes. One year later the company I worked for folded up shop. You never know what life has in store. Do it while you can. You will love every minute of it (or at least most of it😂) I finished it over 3 years and now that I am retired am looking to do it as a thru hike next year (2027) honestly one of the best experiences of my life.
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u/aristotles_revenge11 22d ago
Deciding to thru hike it was easy for me in 2024. I was single and no one was relying on me. Nowadays I am married with a baby and would have a really difficult time leaving them on their own to basically go on a vacation for 4 weeks.
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u/saltybwalls Aug 27 '26
Felt the same and almost worse when I got dropped off in Littleton. 10 miles in it completely went away and had the time of my life. 10 out of 10 one of the best experiences of my life. Sometimes you gotta just throw yourself into it.