There are many factors to consider when planning your hiking itinerary. One very important factor is how best to plan your itinerary for your body in order to prevent injury. As a physiotherapist and an avid hiker I have seen firsthand how many hikers of all ages and abilities suffer injuries while on trail.

I outline my 10-step process to thru-hiking meal prep and provide downloadable versions of my meal plan for you in this post (including links to recipes I used).

I break down my logistic planning and permit purchases.

This is a list of every item I carried for 950 km on the Great Divide Trail in 2020. I am not an ultra-light thru-hiker, this list represents a regular to lightweight packing list.

Over the final 129 km section, Brian and Krysta feel more remote than ever. The nearly imperceptible trail carries them away from Jasper and through many, many kilometers of mud. After river fords and more mud, the trail climbs into the alpine for the final stretch of our journey on the GDT.

This 168 km section of the GDT climbs directly into the alpine just North of Saskatchewan River Crossing. The next eight days were spent together almost exclusively in the alpine. Brian and Krysta took the 6 Passes Alternate route.

The regular GDT route of 106 km from Field to Saskatchewan River Crossing. This section proves to be the most overgrown with the most challenging river fords in the Howse Floodplain.

Krysta continues solo on the GDT. This section is arguably the most beautiful and most popular section of the entire trail.

Krysta hikes 194 km alone from Coleman to Kananaskis. She takes the High Rock Alternate out of Coleman. During this section she starts to settle into the groove of thru-hiking as her body adapts to the long days.

Krysta starts the Great Divide Trail by hiking the southernmost 104 km section of trail. She starts alone and faces many challenges and many incredible moments.