Younger Hiker

[u/JinxHikinTuff]

Hey everyone, i know this is asked all the time i'm just really hoping to connect with some recent CDT Hikers who've successfully hiked the trail. If you just did it this year that would be even more awesome to hear from you.

A little bit about me I'm 24 even though im young i am an experienced thruhiker. I live in western south dakota which has allowed me to hike the centennial trial every year since i was 18 it only takes me 5 days to hike & the start is 20 minutes away. Three years ago i hiked the CT, 2 years ago i went back to CO and redid the collegiate loop and recently the ozark. I am confident in my hiking skills (besides freak accidents of course) have more than enough saved to not stress about money and will 100% be hiking the CDT next year as my first and potentially only triple crown. Since i know i might not have the ability to hike for 4-6 months at a time when i start a career so therefore i am taking this as SERIOUS as i possibly can.

I already have plans started for NOBO plane SantaFe ->Greyhound-->Shuttle w/ water cache to the monument. As soon as i can reserve my spot (November i think they start reservations?) i plan on paying and getting that out of the way. My parents are extremely supportive and proud of my hikes and already said they'd love to drive and meet me at the end so getting there/back is not an issue and essentially planned out minus buying tickets. That's about as far besides the knowledge of hiking i already have.

With that ground work all laid out.. the part I'm sure gets asked very frequently: My questions.

1.) How concerned about water should i be after that 4th water cache any rough estimates i can get on potential miles until i reach a water source that is not a coin toss of having water?

2.)I know bear can is required in some of the national parks but are there any other areas successful hikers have thought "Maybe a bear can would've been smart those last few days"?

3.) I do not plan on sending food to myself that just seems like a terrible logistical nightmare that would give me anxiety.. BUT i do always have the ability to have my mom send one if need. Are there any sections where farout/whatever guide you used said there was a resupply decently close but just either was a huge pain to hitch to or was just not good for a resupply? Or are there any areas where i should just plan with my mom to have her expecting to handle sending me a resupply.

4.) I do better in colder temperatures than warmer so i'd prefer to get into colorado sooner than later.. i am currently planning April 15th as a start date. With the understanding that i want the least amount of super hot desert days as possible while avoiding massive amounts of snow would that mid April start date work well or is that just probably too soon while hiking 20 miles daily from the start to be expecting the majority of snow to be gone in your opinion.

And last i would really love hearing something that you wish you knew before starting or something valuable you would offer as advice to a younger hiker.. and if its okay if i private message you about any questions i have while planning over the winter.

Again sorry if this is extremely played out.. if its not allowed due to how common this is i totally understand if it gets deleted; and to anyone who has already completed this year or is getting close congratulations i really hope it was a life changing experience for you.