CDT Day 164 I just hiked from Mexico to Canada on the CDT

Last updated:December 15, 2020

29th September

19.6 miles

Fifty Mountain (2658.8) to Waterton, Canada (2678.4) or 4310km

We were hiking towards Canada as the sun started to rise. It was peaceful. No wind and no sound except those which we made as we hiked. The trail descended to a river valley where it stayed for the rest of the way to Canada.

The trail to Canada was uneventful, with the exception of a lone weasel like creature, maybe a Martin, which sunned itself next to the trail. Then there were the suspension bridges that had been removed for the season. We had to ford the deep, cold rivers.

The trail followed Waterton Lake to the Canadian border. My emotions increased the closer to the border I got. I could feel a lump in my throat. All the stress, hardships and pain that I suffered in the last 164 days were released when I reached the concrete monument that signifies the USA/Canada border. I cried. I just walked the whole length of the CDT from the Mexico border to the Canada border. I was proud. It was just Bubbles and I there. I’m proud of Bubbles, an accomplished adventurer. Yet it was her first ever overnight backpacking trip. What a place to start. We celebrated with Tim Tams, a popular chocolate biscuit in my country. They were kindly donated by Ross, thank you.

It was a short walk to the town of Waterton in Canada, a resort town. We celebrated with a large meal and a hotel room to clean up for the night. The following day I visited the RCMP, the local Police, to register as entering Canada. The local officer, Mike, gave us a lift to the border crossing back to USA. We were only in Canada for a day. So I’m back in USA. I’m done with the CDT. Now I’m planning my future adventures, stay tuned.

So there it is. I hiked the CDT. I’m proud of that. It’s a special Trail was was much more difficult than I thought. I would like to thank all the people that have helped and supported me on this trip. Thank you, thank you. Stay tuned. Best regards, Shepherd. Aka, Brad McCartney.

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