Dear continental divide trail participants and families,

You are attempting the continental divide trail, the most remote and challenging of the triple crown trails with significant route-finding requirements, grizzly bear country, and extended wilderness exposure. The CDT's choose-your-own-adventure nature and remote location present unique risks beyond the AT or PCT. Your family understands this is an expert-level challenge and needs robust emergency protocols in place.

You pursue Ucontinental divide trail because it represents one of the most challenging expeditions available. Every successful day, every obstacle overcome, every decision made in extreme conditions helps you discover what's possible when preparation meets determination in one of Earth's most demanding environments. Your family knows the dedication that drives you to attempt this challenge, and they also know the risks—working in conditions where route-finding challenges and potential for getting lost in remote areas, dealing with situations where rescue may be limited, and the constant reality that expedition-level challenges involve serious dangers.

Digital legacy planning for continental divide trail recognizes the unique demands of extreme expeditions. You operate in remote environments with limited communication, your schedule depends on weather and conditions beyond your control, and your family needs systems that understand the realities of major expeditions. When you're focused on navigation, safety management, and expedition logistics, they should know their communication needs are handled with the same careful planning you bring to every aspect of your journey.

Your final messages might include practical information—expedition permits and emergency contacts, insurance coverage and rescue coordination details, team member information and support network contacts. But they should also reflect what drives you: the pursuit of personal limits through extreme challenges, the deep satisfaction of comprehensive planning and execution, and the understanding that major expeditions test every aspect of human capability in ways that create profound personal growth.

Families of expedition participants make extraordinary sacrifices—the stress of knowing you're deliberately seeking challenges in extreme environments, extended periods of limited communication from remote locations, and the unique demands of supporting someone whose passion involves calculated risks in demanding conditions. They deserve communication systems that understand these realities and provide security that matches the skill and preparation you bring to this expedition.

CDT Navigation and Route Planning requires careful planning and documentation. Document your planned route choices including alternate routes for different sections. Include your navigation skills assessment, GPS device information, and contingency plans for route-finding challenges. Create messages explaining your route selection rationale and backup plans if primary routes prove impassable or dangerous.

Remote Wilderness Communication requires careful planning and documentation. Establish realistic check-in expectations based on the CDT's remote nature with resupply stops every 7-10 days or longer in some sections. Include satellite communication device details and emergency beacon registration. Set message triggers that account for the CDT's inherent unpredictability and extended wilderness exposure.

Wildlife and Environmental Hazards requires careful planning and documentation. Create specific protocols for grizzly country hiking in Montana and Wyoming, including bear spray training and food storage practices. Document your wildlife encounter experience level and decision criteria for hiking through versus waiting out dangerous wildlife situations. Include altitude and weather exposure risk assessment for Colorado sections.

CDT Experience Level Documentation requires careful planning and documentation. Address your hiking resume and why you feel prepared for the CDT's expert-level challenges. Include previous long-distance hiking experience, navigation skills, wilderness first aid training, and comfort level with route-finding uncertainty. This context helps family understand your preparation level and decision-making capabilities.