The Stein Valley wilderness played a formative role in my development as an ultralight backpacker, and repeated trips there have grown my heart fonder, and led to me writing a modestly popular online guide to the Stein Valley. Back in 2012 after trying my hand at the Bob Marshall Wilderness Open, I was keen to… Read More Stein Valley Speed Record Traverse (19hrs 51min)
Sept 2 – Sept 8 (7 days) GDT 344km – 145km (199 km) Section B SOBO (11 of 12) A week ago T and I walked into Peter Lougheed Park to resupply for this section, where we were greeted with the news that all public land in the southern BC Rockies was closing at noon… Read More Great Divide Trail Yo-Yo: Part 11 – Big Critters, Bigger Closures
Aug 26 – Sept 1 (7 days) GDT 552km – 344km (208 km + detour) Section C SOBO (10 of 12) It’s been a hot, dry summer on the Rockies, which has led to the worst fire season in BC’s history and to a lot of closures on the Great Divide Trail. Thankfully for us,… Read More Great Divide Trail Yo-Yo: Part 10 – Rad or Bad?
Aug 21 – Aug 23 (3 days) GDT 658km to 552km (106 km) Section D SOBO (9 of 12) From Saskatchewan Crossing to Field, the Great Divide Trail is basically a tour of Parks Canada’s neglect of the backcountry. Most GDT hikers report these poor conditions as the low point of the GDT, as I… Read More Great Divide Trail Yo-Yo: Part 9 – Neglect and Goats
Aug 13 – Aug 19 (7 days) GDT 850km to 658km (192km) Section 8 of 12 T and I were supposed to have just one day off in Jasper after our tough 560km, 21 day leg north of there. We rolled into Jasper planning on a fast turn around – quickly stocking up on extra… Read More Great Divide Trail Yo-Yo: Part 8 – Fall’s Fulcrum
July 17 – Aug 6 (21 days) GDT 850km to 1100km and back (560 km inc. resupply) Sections 6/7 of 12 Well that was a long time away from civilization. T and I hiked 9 days from Jasper to Kakwa Lake (250km), resupplied on a logging road via waiting in-laws (30 kms), and then walked… Read More Great Divide Trail Yo-Yo: Part 6 & 7 – The Wildest Rockies
July 9 – 15 GDT 660km to 850km (190 km) Section 5 of 12 After a restful 1.5 days in Saskatchewan Crossing, T and I broke the inertia of civilization and headed out on our 5th leg (section E) of the Great Divide Trail. We were looking forward to this section because we knew it… Read More Great Divide Trail Yo-Yo: Part 5 – Alpine Solitude
