Pathfinder Newsletter

Below are current articles in our Pathfinder Newsletter as well as previous editions. Enjoy!

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Tales from the Great Divide

GDTA “Originals” on July 2019 Signature Trip. L – R: Lani Smith, Cliff White, Dave Higgins, Jeff Gruttz (kneeling), Jenny Feick, Mary Jane Kreisel (nee Cox) and Dave Zevick. (Photo by Margaret Dumigan)

Its History, Its Founders, Its First Hilarious Book By Sue L. Blanchard in collaboration with Jenny L. Feick, PhD The history of the Great Divide Trail and the Great Divide Trail Association is in many ways the story of six young adults with the energy, determination and vision to explore a vast…

This Summer, Hug a Tree and Listen to the Plants

The GDT’s ideal trail location is on a slope with well-drained soil or a rocky ridgetop. July 2019

By Jenny L. Feick, PhD Every spring, I take great delight in getting reacquainted with my friends in the plant world. This year, especially, with the social distancing required to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, I’ve had to resort to hugging trees instead of embracing my family,…

Gone Batty

Summer of 1975, my most frightening and embarrassing hiking moment by Lani Smith It was a beautiful calm, warm summer weekend, so we, Glen Byers, Kim O’Brien and myself, gathered at Byers house to plan a weekend hike. Weather looked great, not a cloud in the sky on Friday evening as we made plans to…

Her Odyssey: Introduction

Volcanoes Along the Greater Patagonian Trail

by Bethany Hughes and Lauren Reed The women of Her Odyssey, Bethany ‘Fidgit’ Hughes and Lauren ‘Neon’ Reed, are in the midst of a multi-year endeavor to travel the length of the Americas by non-motorized means. Their aim is to connect the stories of the land and its inhabitants, and…

Pathfinder Newsletter – Winter 2020

This edition of the Pathfinder Newsletter includes articles showcasing GDT hiking, information to help plan your 2020 summer on the GDT – hiking and/or volunteering, plans and goals for the GDT’s future, and an upcoming event announcement. Enjoy! Trail Building & Maintenance Trips – Call for Volunteers: Trip dates for…

Blazing the Trail

Thoughts on Tagging the GDT By Dave Higgins Sure, there are more up-to-date options available nowadays if you want to follow precisely a defined walking route, or track, through untamed spaces between two widely-separated terrestrial points on this planet. For example, you can purchase a highly sophisticated electronic gadget that…

2019 Thru-Hike Videos

Several amazing videos were made by 2019 GDT thru-hikers. Here is a list of links to them. These videos are great watching during the long winter, and when dreaming of next summer on the trail. Many thanks to all the hikers that made the extra effort during their hike to shoot these videos, and then edit and post…

Maligne River Swim Adventure

by Joan Pendleton This was not supposed to be a swim adventure. It was supposed to be a lovely five day loop on the GDT and one of its scenic alternates. The plan was to hike south from Maligne Lake, up the Maligne River Valley to Maligne Pass on the…

Winter on the GDT – Assiniboine Escape

by Deborah Yanchula Are you looking for a winter adventure in the mountains and lamenting your hiking boots retired for the season? Mount Assiniboine is the perfect, true winter experience. Mount Assiniboine is a remote gem, inaccessible by road. It is about 20 km south of Sunshine Ski resort (as…

GDTA Board of Directors Strategy Session

by Donna Rutherford On January 11, Board members, the Organizational Excellence Committee and representatives from other GDTA committees gathered in Bantrel’s comfortable boardroom for some concentrated learning and at times challenging thinking about what makes for a living breathing strategic plan. The retreat was facilitated by Ken Larson of Champion…