I’ve never felt more remote on this trail than in the Bob. For 5 days I might see an occasional hunter, but no other hikers.

It snows and rains every day, but not 63 straight hours of precip like the last storm. It’s late September now and mornings are coming a lot later… my starts are doing the same.

I have a ton of food in case I need to post up for a day or two. Food that I can cook too, I haven’t cooked a single meal on the trail until now.

Occasionally the sun will come out, temperatures are still pretty cold though.

With shorter days, I’m doing shorter mileage. My standard 30-35 mile day is cut down to mid 20s. Sometimes I see footprints in the snow, but that’s my only indication that there’s anyone else out here. It seems there are just as many bear, elk, deer, wolf, and coyote out here.

The CDT takes a direct path north through the Bob but the area is expansive – covering a million+ acres.

I even cook food for lunch. I’m less rushed now, and with the weather looking good I have a surplus of food (a rare occurrence on the CDT). It’s very cold and I spend my time wondering what the next week of weather looks like as I’ll be entering Glacier National Park to finish the trail. Thanks for the jetboil Deb!

I could come back here for years and not get bored. There are over 1,800 miles of trail in this wilderness complex. My days are relatively easy in here, I leave at sun up around 7:30 and stop at 6 to make dinner. However, even though there’s so much snow on the ground, the area is still under fire ban. I haven’t had a single campfire on the CDT. Usually it’s just hike until dark, eat tuna, go to bed. Now it’s hike until 6, have a CHOICE of instant mac, knorr pasta sides, or ramen. Read, then bed. I’m finishing this thing up in luxury.

I’m headed into my last resupply on the trail when I enter the park and see this sign.

I mean, this is all general knowledge… but as I’m hiking almost entirely alone and usually around dusk, the one emphasis is to not do those two things… thanks for the reminder!

Up next… finishing trail!!

andrew batjiaka

Population 315, this is the perfect town to wait out a snow storm… Two blocks long, there’s a diner, a general store, a couple bars, and the homecoming parade.

Caitlin sends me my much needed winter gear. I dayhike to finish my road walk. I run into a trout bum from Cal, who cooks me dinner, and gives me 30gb of audiobooks he pirated from free wifi in town. Once the storm clears I’m left with a pretty amazing view into the Bob wilderness complex.

When I get back to town, I see my buddy who’s now hiking (southbound) back in town. Bailed due to waist deep snow drifts, “I would have taken pictures but I was in too much pain.”

As I’m headed northbound, I confident with my winter gear: goretex jacket, fleece, ski gloves, bigger pack, a STOVE (!!), 4 season sleeping pad, wool baselayers, neoprene socks.

And then I’m headed back into the storm, on a gorgeous day. I am so psyched to head into the Bob, this is one of those places that still really feels wild.

This is gonna be a really fun section, not only do I have my winter gear, but Jaleesa made me pumpkin bread… which is best consumed in burrito format.

So good!!

andrew batjiaka cdt resupply