The CDT and I have some unfinished business to attend to.

I’m returning to the trail at the end of this month for a southbound (SOBO) thru-hike. I’ll start at the Montana/Canada border and either finish at Dutchman Spring or continue to the New Mexico/Mexico border, depending on how I’m feeling and how everything shakes out (what’s another 270 miles, right?*).

It was difficult to commit to returning initially, but not because I didn’t want to go back. Leaving the trail just as I was really starting to get into the groove was rough. I’d put in the work. My trail legs were coming in, my body and mind were thriving (you know, except for the giardia). The idea of returning to the trail and being forced to bail again for something outside of my control was and is terrifying. That risk has always been there and I’ve always known about it. It is harder to face it having been forced to realize it.

What I know is this: if the first 270 miles are evidence of anything, it is that I am capable of a thru. Illnesses and injuries happen. There are ways to reduce the risk, but not to eliminate it. Some of it is always going to be out of my control. The risk of failure was worth it before, and it’s even more worth it now.

I’m super grateful to all those who have supported me on this wild endeavor and to my job for being cool with me just rolling right back in for six weeks. Also not having giardia is really nice.

Now that I actually have plans, I am so excited to get the trail back under my feet.

*The serious answer to that question is, with trail legs, “a little under two weeks.”