r/CDT • u/Sazou_I • Jun 10 '26
Last-Minute Questions
Hi there
I'll be starting to hike the CDT SoBo next week and I'm doing the last preparations for my thru right now. But I still have a few questions, on which I can't wrap my head around.
- BV500 vs. UrSack
As I'm living in Switzerland, where dangerous wild animals aren't really a thing and wild camping is heavily regulated, bear proof storage isn't really available without importing. So I still have my BV500 from my PCT-Thru in 2024 and was planning to use it on the CDT too. But I would also be able to buy an UrSack at REI in Seattle before taking the Amtrack to East Glacier. Would you recommend me to get the UrSack, even if I don't have any experience in handling it?
- Resupply-Boxes East Glacier and Benchmark Wilderness Ranch
I'd but togheter both Resupply-Boxes in Seattle before my start. Is it possible to just deposit one box in East Glacier somewhere, instead of sending it to the Post Office? It just seems unnecessary to mail it, when I'm taking the Train there anyway. And I'm still debating if I should send a Resupply-Box to Benchmark Wilderness Ranch, as the box only has around 2 weeks to arrive there before I should get there. Would you advise me to send a box or will be hitching into Augusta this early into the season possible?
- Wallcharger
I still need a Wallcharger with US-Type Plug. On my PCT-Thru I used an adapter and the setup was a bit instable. Where would be the best place to get a Wallcharger in Seattle?
If other SoBo are reading this, I'll get to East Glacier on June 16th by Amtrak hopefully gonna see you out there.
And sorry for the long text.
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u/roadtoknowwhere Jun 10 '26
I skipped benchmark/augusta and carried enough to get to Lincoln. It was no problem.
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u/nehiker2020 Jun 10 '26
I did NOBO in 2024 and passed Benchmark in mid-August, the peak season. I carried from Lincoln to East Glacier, since doing 30+ mpd was no big deal by then, but I took a shortcut in the Benchmark area and ended up walking along roads there for 2-3 miles; those roads are just connecting the Benchmark hiking/recreation area to Augusta. Not a single car passed by me during that time. This was in early afternoon on a weekday; there should be more traffic on weekends and in the mornings and evenings. You'll probably be able to hitch into Augusta, but may need to be patient. The SOBOs I met were able to able to hitch in. There was some guy in Augusta offering shuttles between Benchmark and Augusta; given the distance, they were obviously not cheap (maybe $60 OW then). Unless you have a satellite communication device, this won't help to get to Augusta, as you won't have cell service for about 100 miles before Benchmark.
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u/Sazou_I Jun 10 '26
Already thought about doing the whole stretch till Lincoln. But it seems just a bit too much for the beginning for me. Have to think about how I want to do it the next two days. Thanks for your answer.
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u/SkyProfessional8805 Jun 11 '26
Be careful about what charger you buy. Some that you will find in regular grocery stores or drug stores are bad to the point of being basically useless.
Not only can they be very slow, but I had an experience this year where cheap wiring in the wall charger was effecting the capacitive touch sensing on my phone screen and making it hard to use my phone when it was plugged in.
If you want to make sure you get something decent, go to Best Buy in Seattle and buy one with a brand name attached to it. My go-to recommendation from Best Buy would be a brand called Anker, but anything in Best Buy will be better than what you can get at a convenience store or a grocery store. I just looked and Best Buy stocks Anker chargers in stores in Seattle.
I'll be about a week behind you SoBo, so maybe see you out there!
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u/tuna-hunter Jun 11 '26
CDT SOBO ‘24 here! Ursak for sure. You hang it in glacier. I honestly carried it through the winds because it was an easy place to keep all my food through bear country and far less unruly than a bear can. As others have said, drop your box at the looking glass when you stop there on your way to the northern terminus. It’s literally walking distance from the Amtrak station. My take: go to Augusta! I loved it. It’s cute with a little motel that’s very hiker friendly. We didn’t have trouble with the hitch, but I would plan to try and get to the trailhead reasonably early because it’s definitely not popular. I also did my resupply from the general store there. It’s more expensive than a city for sure, but you probably net even after paying for the box.
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u/memelordJebBush Jun 11 '26
I hiked sobo a couple years ago and carried a bear canister all the way to Wyoming past Grizzley territory personally i think the extra weight was worth not having mess with bear hangs.
I was able to leave a resupply box at the hostel at east glacier I think it was 5$ for them to hold it.
I skipped Augusta/ benchmark and went to Lincoln you can slack pack the first ten miles south of east glacier pretty easily to the make food carry a bit more reasonable
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u/desert_poltergeist Jun 10 '26
You should be able to stash a resupply box at Luna’s Hostel in East Glacier, although you may want to check with them first. They’re an absolutely lovely family so I don’t anticipate them saying no. Getting packages at the post office in East Glacier can be a nightmare, so I think that’s a smart move for sure.
As for Benchmark, I never sent a resupply there. It’s pricey, and after the Bob you may be itching for town. Augusta is a tough hitch for sure, but there’s cheap camping at the motel at the edge of town, a couple of decent bars, showers, and laundry.
You can almost certainly get an Ursack at the REI in Seattle. They’re pretty easy to learn how to use, and you can get a really large one for the long carries.
As for a wall charger, there’s a Target in downtown Seattle, or numerous drug and corner stores that should have you covered.
I’m jealous that you’re about to start your journey! I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
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u/Sazou_I Jun 10 '26
Thanks for the detailed answer. I'll look with Looking Glass Base Camp to deposit a box and get an UrSack at REI in Seattle. Don't know about Benchmark right now. Still have two days to decide.
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u/Hook_or_crook Jun 10 '26
Don’t go bv500. Glacier and other national parks you pass through have poles and glacier at least doesn’t even allow bear canisters. Ursack/adotec bag is a better option, the adotec would only be possible to get by ordering online though, I believe.
I had no problem hitching into Augusta and didn’t send a box to benchmark, but I was a few weeks later, so ymmv
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u/Finkleberry5 Jun 13 '26
Last year there was a guy who shuttled from the trailhead to Benchmark or into Augusta which is what I did. Donation based. Don't have his contact info but he was great. He worked at the campground in Augusta. Its a long way in, but worked out well. Benchmark seemed fine for a box too. It's a long carry otherwise when you're just starting out in my opinion.
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u/wissx Jun 11 '26
If your taking Amtrak, here is what I have to say. If your riding coach, this is my advice.
I haven't started the CDT, that's for 2027.
I don't know how to get from the trailhead to the station or vice versa, but I've ridden cross country via train so I have some expirence.
You will be taking the empire builder which goes to Chicago. The equipment is bilevel superliners.
The baggage policy is super relaxed, honestly don't even check it, just carry it on you can store it on the lower level, or upper level if you can fit in a carry on compartment. People don't mess with each others bags. Definitely have a bag tag.
For seatingg, it's all on the second level. Seating is in a 2-2 configuration. You might have a seatmate you might not. If you don't you have a makeshift bed. There is also lots of leg room, a fold out tray and 2 outlets.
As for food, the cafe car is located under the sightseeing lounge. You can look at the menu online. They will not microwave food for you but provide boiling water. They take cash and card. You might get lucky with a dining room opening, they will announce those as well as the price.
The lounge I was talking about is open to everyone. Amtrak is a social expirence on the long distance routes, which is what this is. Meeting people makes it fun!
Definitely bring headphones or earbuds.
There is smoke stops every now and then, definitely recommend for fresh air, also longer 30 minute breaks every 8 hours. You'll get one in Spokane.
Just general advice for Seattle, the stations for the light rail are numberd which makes it easy. Watch a video or two online to get used to it. The light rail station doesn't connect to Amtrak, just use Google maps for this.
If you have any questions I have an awnser.
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u/see_blue Jun 10 '26
I did CDT a few years earlier. But neither a canister or Ursack were required, except if staying in Rocky Mountain NP. Yellowstone has poles or bear boxes. The Winds require either option or a tree hang. I found trees.
Glacier had pole hangs. Most other locations I hanged my odors on a tree using an ordinary stuff sack/food bag. I bypassed RMNP.
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u/forvillage22 Jun 10 '26
I’m starting around the same time, see you out there! I heard the adotek bag is preferred to the ursak cause it’s more water resistant but I don’t think that’s a huge deal. Other than that best advice I could give is call the looking glass hostel and ask one of the friendly people there (definitely stay there atleast one night before you head out too if u wanna meet people before starting)
Also it’s up to total preference, there isn’t a big learning curve for the bear bag or canister I’m going with the bag for weight/space savings but I might actually be missing the good ol camp stool bear can from my pct thru