First of all, how are you doing?
Well, I’m actually doing pretty well. I’m just a little sad as we had a first break because of the snowpack in the southern Rocky Mountains. We were about 10 days away from the Colorado border just around Cuba [a small village in New Mexico, editor’s note], and we encountered tons of snow up to our hips. At some point, we had to turn around.
Lots of people following me and who live close to the trail in Colorado--especially some Luxembourgish people--advised me to slow down and take a break because the snowpack was too massive to push through. A friend of mine--a Luxembourger and ex-police officer living in Texas--invited us to come over and wait for the snowpack to melt down. So I spent some days in his place which was very nice.
How far along are you on the trail and what’s your estimated time for completing it?
Cuba is over 600 miles or about 1,000 kilometres into the trail [almost 5,000km in total]. We were doing around 25 miles a day. The plan is to finish in mid-September, but it all depends on the snowpack. It is melting down really fast and the first hikers are pushing through the path where we got stuck about two weeks ago, but there’s the National Park waiting for them on the border to the Rockies. So [getting back on the trail] depends on how fast the snow is melting and of course the risk of an avalanche.
Any grizzly bears or rattlesnakes so far?
Well, with animals this time it’s difficult because we haven’t seen many animals. Maybe it’s too early, [but] we’ve seen snakes, a handful of lizards, antelopes, deer, so nothing really special, yet.
What’s the most challenging part of the trip so far?
The most challenging factor is water. Local people said it was a very dry winter and its only the beginning. I can’t imagine doing this or starting [the trail] three months later. We had days of around 30°C and then minus 10°C at night.
Thankfully there were some spots to get water or just random people who stopped by seeing how tired hikers were on the road and asked if [hikers] need some water. That’s a game changer because otherwise it would be very difficult to do it without water. And then we have water carriers of over six litres and that’s like over 12 pounds of extra weight for each person.
Gear-wise, I was pretty well prepared, but I was surprised to experience deadly heat during the day and then freezing cold at night. Local people say in New Mexico you can experience four seasons in one day. We had heat, snow, hail, and rain in one day.
Mentally, it is pretty tough, [especially] in the beginning when your body is not used to this. Another thing is, in five weeks on the main trail itself [not in the towns], we only met three hikers. I can’t imagine doing this alone and I’m happy I have my partner with me to talk to.
A memorable experience from the journey so far?
Well, first of all, even though we’re quite alone on trail, anytime I get some service in a town or so, I get all these messages--people thanking me for the pictures [I’ve shared] or asking questions. I did not have that experience on the Pacific Crest Trail three years ago, but this time, it’s like I’m surrounded by people even though I’m [miles away].
I really enjoy the fact that I can take a lot of people with me through my pictures on the trip. Americans who lived in Luxembourg and heard about me have reached out saying we can crash at their place, take a shower, wash our stuff, stay with them… it’s really amazing.
I also have to say, New Mexico is known as the land of enchantment. And people in towns really make this trip very enjoyable. When you see local people, they come out and say hello, ask if you want a drink or something to eat…it’s not only about the trail itself, it’s about the people you meet on and off trail.
Differences between the PCT and the CDT trails?
The CDT isn’t as travelled as the PCT, so the trail itself is harder to walk. There are a lot of loose rocks. It’s not comparable. I’d say it’s a pretty tough trail.
What emotions have you been feeling recently?
Following my close call with a bigger accident during the PCT--where I nearly fell and it led to my fear of heights--when I got to Mount Taylor [over 10,000 feet], these feeling started coming back and I had to remind myself why I’m doing this and for which cause and all of a sudden, as fast as this fear came up, it went away.
I’ve been resting for about a week so I’m no longer tired. I’m still very motivated and thankful I’m able to do this.
As of 4 May, Guy Christen had completed one fifth of the CDT--which runs from Mexico up to Canada--and is now set to head back on the trail in the next few days. His journey on the CDT is for a good cause. Similar to his PCT trip that raised €13,500, he aims to raise funds for children suffering from cancer. To support his cause, you can make a donation to BCEE LU97 0019 6455 2345 9000 with the reference ‘Don Fondation Kriibskrank Kanner’ or via Payconiq/Digicash by sending him a private message on his to get his phone number. All donations will go towards projects by the Fondation Kriibskrank Kanner in Luxembourg.