It has been a week since I reached Canada on the Continental Divide Trail, the rugged, challenging, remote, and beautiful national scenic path that stretches from the US-Mexico border. As part of the celebration, reflection, and transition to a new chapter, I took a day to rest at Many Glacier, where my friend Paul works, and the next day, I went day-hiking in the Logan Pass area in Glacier National Park. The morning walk along the Swiftcurrent Lake at Many Glacier was lovely, seeing Grinnel Point illuminated by the sunrise. For the rest of the morning until mid-afternoon, I sat on a comfy couch, ate, caught up with friends and relaxed. Paul and I drove to St. Mary and saw Ana. It was wonderful to report my completion of the trail in person with her.
The hike around Logan Pass was beautiful. First, I went to Hidden Lake in the morning light. I still carried my backpack, and with an almost empty bear can, it was super light weight. Once I was down at the lake, I took a dip in the water, and it was refreshing. After Hidden Lake, I walked the Highline Trail, which led me to Grinnell Glacier Overlook. I was mesmerized by the blue color of the ice and water. As I hiked uphills and downhills, I had the same feeling of freedom I felt on the last stretch of the CDT. My body has changed to be able to hike these mountains with almost no effort. One person I passed said to me, “You are efficient, no effort!” Other people can also sense how I am feeling as I move the mountains now.
As I spent a couple of days of transition to a new chapter, what I felt the most was wholesomeness, happiness, and gratitude. I want to take a moment to acknowledge what I am grateful for:
First, for Mother Earth for being our home, creating and taking care of all beings, showing me the beauty, and reminding me of my responsibility to act with love and care. Second, for my ancestors and family, whom I inherited the exceptional physical, mental, and spiritual capacity to endure and embrace numerous challenges, and recognize and appreciate magnificence along the CDT. Third, for those who came before me for their tireless work to fight for justice and peace, to create a world where I have the freedom to hike instead of facing systemic issues that prevent me from doing so. If I were here 80 years ago, I would be incarcerated in an internment camp. Although we still have a lot of work to do, we have come far that I am privileged enough to be free and hike the CDT today. I pledge to continue doing my part to create a more just world so that all people have opportunities and resources to reach for their dreams. Fourth, for indigenous peoples, for their teaching of caring for the land from time immemorial. I acknowledge their unceded territories along the CDT and appreciate the chance to tread gently with respect. Fifth, for those who take care of the Continental Divide Trail – from the tribal partners and federal agency staff members to CDTC and volunteers who created the trail, maintaining for years including clearing down trees and more. Sixth, for trail angels and water angels who provided me with critical support, from giving me rides and feeding me food to providing water and setting up trail camp to keep us all going. I don’t even know some of your faces and names. Your generosity touched me deeply. Finally, for my friends, families, and corporate partners- we did it together. My value aligns with collectivism over individualism; therefore, my success is your success. I could not have completed the CDT without your support. Some of you let me use your equipment to prepare food, came over to my home to pack food for resupply boxes, gave me donations and gear, helped me move out of my apartment, gave me rides and places to stay, managed resupply boxes, helped launch and maintain this website, met me at trailhead and showered me with your love as my personal trail angel, hosted me with a bed, shower and delicious meals, helped to fix gear, ran errands, sent me messages to cheer me on, quietly followed my journey through reading my blog posts and so much more. Thank you.
The generosity and kindness that were offered to me continued to flourish after I finished the CDT. I met Karma and Eden while I was looking for the Waterton Park Visitor Center. They learned that I just finished the CDT and bought me lunch to celebrate the milestone. After lunch, I hitchhiked three times to Many Glacier Hotel. After hiking the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park, I got a ride from 5 people and I made it to Missoula, where my friend Ava and Josh, her husband, live. They provided me a hub to transition from hiking to biking as well as a space to cook homemade meals which I missed doing for the past 4 months.
I am almost ready for the next chapter of my bike adventure. It will be a different experience as I will move faster and have more gear involved. I will also have easier access to civilization, fresh food and water. It will begin in two days from today on the full-moon, which represents a full circle of my journey all the way back to where I started hiking the CDT at the New Mexico-Mexico border. I will see some of the trail angels I met on the CDT as well as my old friends along the way, giving me an opportunity to come back to them- a full circle.
As I ride my way back to the south on Tour Divide, aka Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, I will be facing the sun and many challenges, unknowns and surprises. Out of any circumstances, I will remember the sunflower’s teaching: no matter how the day goes or how I feel, the sun will always rise. Greet the sun everyday with gratitude and purpose. Consistently. Then, propel!
I hope you are also excited to follow along this coming adventure. Together, we’ll do it again!
