Pathfinder Newsletter

Below is the current issue of Pathfinder Newsletter. Enjoy!

Pathfinder Winter 2024

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Past Editions

Pathfinder Winter 2024 Pathfinder Spring 2024 Pathfinder Newsletter – Winter 2023

Our New GDTA Corporate Supporters

by Kate Hamilton The GDTA is pleased to announce several new corporate supporters that were engaged this year. These are industrious, small businesses whose products and services are all about hikers – gear, lodging, food, resupply, information sources, and memorabilia. Like us, they are outdoors enthusiasts and believe in taking care…

Shrubs Along the GDT: Not all Alders or Willows!

By Jenny L. Feick, PhD If you have ever attended one of the GDTA’s trail work trips you have likely helped to clear shrubby vegetation from the Great Divide Trail and its immediate vicinity. Shrubs are the woody perennial plants that are smaller than a tree with multiple permanent stems…

GDTA Membership Drive

The Great Divide Trail Association has set several ambitious goals for 2022. This year we will be holding 7 trail building trips on the High Rock Trail (HRT) as we prepare for the official opening ceremony of the HRT on July 22! We are excited to announce the return of…

Thank You to Our 2021 Trail Supporters

With much gratitude, the Great Divide Trail Association wishes to thank all those who donated to our 2021 Trail Supporter Campaign, and all our donors who have contributed in other ways. The 2021 Trail Supporter Campaign was the GDTA’s 2nd annual Trail Supporter Campaign. It was kicked off on Giving Tuesday,…

Get to Know the GDT

by Kelly McDonald The Great Divide Trail (GDT) is very much a “choose your own adventure” kind of trail. While there is only a single route to follow in many areas, there are also a multitude of alternatives to choose from along the way. Some take you to entry and…

Jackpine Trail Crew 2021

by Gordon Matthies This is how this trip was advertised by Dan: “Do you love the GDT, hard work, and short notice trips? Next weekend (August 14/15) a group of GDTA volunteers are flying in to the remote Jackpine Valley in Section G for a week of hard work and…

2021 Thru-hiker Videos

Looking for inspiration for your summer on the trails? Check out these amazing videos created by three talented thru-hikers from the GDT class of 2021. Brigid Scott Brigid is a teacher and outdoor adventurer from Jasper, AB, with a scrambling and photography problem. Follow along for daily videos of her…

Cairnes Creek Bridge Build 2021

by Paul Jollymore The Cairnes Creek crossing has presented a problem in recent years with washouts due to high levels of glacial runoff and flood waters. Our goal last year was to re-establish a safe means of crossing at the David Thompson Trail junction. Dave Higgins led a team in…

Trail Maintenance Magic

by Eloise Robbins “It is the worst hiking I’ve ever done in my life,” the southbounder complained, a soft accent masking the fatigue in his voice. “It took me all day just to get between camps. Terrible. Alders up to here.” His hand hovered over his head. This awful section…

October 2021 GDT Thru-Hike

by Oliver Cautereels Dear readers of the Pathfinder Newsletter, My name is Oliver Cautereels. After working at Pfizer Manufacturing Puurs (Belgium) for a little over one year as a project engineer on the validations and optimizations of the first production line of the Covid-19 “Comirnaty” vaccine, I accumulated so much…