IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jerry and Chrissy take on the Continental Divide
When most people retire, their plans tend toward leisure and comfort. Most people, though, are not married to someone like Chrissy Taylor. Chrissy is a life-long runner and outdoor enthusiast, and while her husband Jerry has never been a sluggard in those respects, in the last couple of years he has become a serious devotee.
Jerry has just retired after more than 30 years of managing the operations of the Boca Grande Marina and working in other capacities for Boca Grande’s Nicholas family. Chrissy is taking a leave from the Bowen Construction Company. Together they are leaving for the Upper Northwest of the U.S. to hike the Continental Divide Scenic Trail from the Canadian border of Montana to the Mexican border of New Mexico, passing through Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming along the way. In all, the trek will cover 2,700 to 3,100 miles. All on foot.
They will be leaving Florida on June 5 and actually starting their hike on June 15. They will be on the trail about six months. Besides being a dream they have shared for many years, the timing for this trip is special. Jerry recently turned 65 and retired; Chrissy will turn 50 this summer. This is a celebration of living life to the full!
And, of course, they have decided to “do it the hard way,” as Chrissy explained.
“Most people start in New Mexico,” she said.The land is flatter and gives people a chance to build up stamina before they have to deal with harder climbs and thinner air. “But we wanted to start in Glacier National Park, at the top, and work our way down to Mexico.” Jerry insists that “this was my idea. Everyone knows Crissy is a runner and an outdoors person, so they think it was her idea. I just want it to be clear that it was my idea.”
Chrissy attests to that, and she says some people think this is her plot to kill Jerry, now that he is retired. But he has been talking about wanting to go out West for a long time, so now is time to put the plan into action.
Not that they have not been out West before. They have, as part of their preparation for this extended trip. In fact, Jerry says they have been preparing for about four years, with the really intense work coming the last three to five months. They have tried out the mountainous terrain, the weather differences, the walking, and walking and walking.
They expect to average about 20 miles of walking each day for about six months. It won’t be every day, but most days. And the walking includes carrying on their backs everything they will eat or drink. Oh yes, and what they will sleep in, what they will cook on, what they will wear, what tools they will need, and the list goes on.
“This is the perfect time to attempt something like this,” Jerry conceeds. “With the technology, and how light things are made now, the communication advances, and all. It makes it much easier.” Easier is relative, of course. But compared to only a few years ago, he is right. Camping gear is much lighter today. Food can be freeze-dried or dehydrated. GPS and mapping apps cover the world. They will take a satellite communications device so they will never have to be out of touch. Still, they will need to carry about four liters of water with them most days, and each of them will be carrying a 28-pound backpack.
Chrissy points out that many of the things they will need along the way will not be with them at the start. This is part of the logistical planning that has gone into the preparation for this trip. “We have 27 packages already prepared with food and other things we will need later in the trip,” Jerry says. “We are taking them to my sister’s, and she will ship them to us as we need them.”
Ship them to the Continental Divide? Sort of. “There are lots of little towns and developments along the way,” Chrissy says. “There is a wonderful network of people who know that hikers will be coming nearby and want to help.” These folks are known as “trail angels.”
There may be hotels, gas stations, stores, restaurants and private homes where arrangements can be made to have a box shipped – either to the hikers or from the hikers. Once out of the areas where snow may be a factor, for instance, snow-related gear can be sent back to family or friends to store until the entire trip is completed.
This is part of the plan for Jerry and Chrissy. They do not want to carry things they no longer need, but they do not want to discard them, either, since this is not likely to be their last trip. In fact, they are already looking forward to hiking the entire Appalachian Trail (four states from Georgia to Maine, 2,185 miles) and the Pacific Crest Trail (California, Oregon and Washington, 2,663 miles).
Jerry notes that many people fail to plan for this aspect of the trip. That is why they have taken such a long time to research every aspect and plan for as much as they can.
“We know what we re doing. We know our relationship. We have prepared, and we do not expect to have too many surprises.” he says. “As long as our bodies don’t fail us, we should be ok, and we have done what we can to prepare for that, too.”
Wild animals are not a concern for the pair.They look forward to encountering wildlife, but from a bit of a distance. In a shorter hike they took in Glacier National Park in preparation for this upcoming trip, they came face-to-face with a grizzly bear, but they knew enough not to approach it, and the bear – being just as afraid of them – turned around and ran away.
Wild creatures are part of the incredible world they want to experience as they walk through the vast expanse of the Continental Divide. Mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, forests, wildflowers and more are on their checklist as well.
Every major hike they have taken over the last four years has taught them things that prepared them for this major event. They hiked the Grand Canyon from rim to rim, they hiked the Ocean-to-Lake Trail in mid-Florida, and they hiked part of the Appalachian Trail that took them into Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. It is standard now for them to take 40-, 50- and 100-mile hikes in various parts of the country.
“Most people would not realize how much money it takes to make a major hike like this; how much planning it takes; what the logistics would be,” Jerry says. “We have taken our time and done our homework.”
Many people start the trail and then work at it over time, stopping and starting for weeks, months or years before completing the whole thing.
“We wanted to do it from top to bottom,” says Chrissy. “We have the time right now and the resources,” chimes in Jerry. “We think this is a great time to do it.” They have arranged for someone to care for their house and their cat for the duration. With the help of the internet searches, YouTube, and advice from trekkers they have met in their hiking adventures, they feel ready to put all their skills and preparation to work.
Jerry has even created a Facebook page as a way to keep people informed about where they are and what they have seen and done. Until now, he has kept a low social profile online. Chrissy’s family tends to use Instagram more than Facebook, so she will be keeping in touch using that platform. They will be posting pictures all along the way. Stay tuned for regular updates.
