Solo on the Great Divide Trail - Episode 2

[@mommieof7]

Signed in on my wife’s login. I did the GDT about 30+ years ago over two summers from Jasper to Kananaskis Lakes. This is incredible watching and brings back some of my best memories. I did with 6-7 people so not solo. Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

[@diversie509]

What an incredibly gorgeous trail. Great film skills capturing it so well. I have to agree with you when you talked about how amazing the ecosystem in the valley was. Its great to see somebody focus on the small things and all the natural beauty beyond just the great views from the peaks.

[@Martyupnorth]

Glad to see you had no problem south of Cataract Pass. Lot's of people lose the trail through there. We went in this summer and added a few markers and cairns. Nice to see that the GDT is getting the attention it deserves. I look forward to Ep 3. Cursious how you made it through Howse Pass.

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Thanks for your help on the GDT! Every little bit helps, and I (and other hikers) appreciate it. Episode 3 will exist, and hopefully it doesn't take us 2 months to release again :)

[@jimmartinson5279]

I backpacked outside Banff, couldn't imagine a more beautiful area...… until I saw this.. I have to do this

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

I think you have to do it too ;)

[@jules4343]

Just love this, I got teary watching you get teary! I know that feeling of gratitude and pride in yourself from challenging your boundaries and just getting out there. Beautiful, beautiful series. I am rationing episodes though, so I will need to make myself wait to watch the third episode next week :-)

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Aww...thank you so much for the encouraging words! And isn't emotion just the best on the trail?! It is literally the safest feeling place to just let it out - I cry over the "silliest" things sometimes, like a beautiful wildflower. It's just too much for my heart to take, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[@BackcountryForward]

Okay.... I NEED that chickpea curry recipe! Hahaha I can't believe you ate that apple! Thanks for this T-Fox! I actually got quite emotional watching this. I don't know what it is about this trail... or if it's just cus I'm in mountain withdrawal in general. But wow! So beautiful! Keep Moving Forward!

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Aww thanks! I love to hear that the video moved you - obviously you have a great connection with mountains as well, which I know you do through earlier conversations. Nature heals! Chickpeaks - seasoned with cumin, curry powder, salt, ginger, and a bit of hot sauce, then dehydrated with my dehydrator until VERY dry Carrots - dehydrated in the dehydrator until VERY dry Coconut milk powder (bought that at a health food store) Dry spices - more curry powder, cumin, ginger, salt Brown rice *Cook up the brown rice as usual with the chickpeas and carrots added to rehydrate. Once cooked, add the coconut milk powder and dry spices. Unfortunately brown rice takes a while to cook, so I ate this meal when I wasn't as ravenous, but it is SO GOOD.

[@BackcountryForward]

Tara Frey-Durston thanks for the recipe! Sounds delicious! Will definitely come back for this one day!

[@Coolness59]

I just found your series “Solo on the GDT”. Three years later….. 😮😊 The scenery is truly breathtaking….. I really need to hike a section of it. When I saw you eat the apple it reminded me of a time when I was hiking a section of the AT here in Central Virginia. I saw a few Lay’s potato chips on the trail. After a examination I ate them!! They were crispy and delicious!! A hiker had passed us previously and he must have dropped them. Trail magic!! We’ve also found unopened Starburst cubes. 😆 Thanks for the series!!

[@Lue_Jonin]

Outstanding footage you've captured. 👍 The Moose were so magnificent. Can't believe I've never watched your videos before, although I've been out in Nature the past 7 years solo hiking myself. Stay healthy & happy - Blessings ❤ ✌ 👣

[@justinc5919]

Just AWESOME!!! Brilliant!

[@vilateblackmore4686]

You girl, are a badass! GDT is on my list and I think it would be such and amazing, empowering accomplishment to do it solo. I watched yours and Dan's trip in 2017 and I'm loving watching yours as well. Such beautiful country and I love how much you love it. Thanks for helping me believe I can do this. I look forward to the rest of your videos.

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

You SO can do this. I honestly NEVER would have imagined enjoying hiking alone, or more importantly, having the level-headedness to deal with the trails hiccups. But I'm blown-away with how when I'm alone, I just step up to the challenge unlike when I'm with others. I'm not a natural leader, so I take a back seat when there are other people around, and this was the push I needed to make decisions with confidence.

[@auswalker7865]

Great videos Tara. Dan must be very proud of you. It’s a while since I hiked solo, but I do enjoy it and totally understand the emotion. We have some great places to hike in Australia, but nothing as good as the Canadian mountain scenery.

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

I had never...and I mean NEVER hiked alone before this 800 km trip! Call me crazy, but I figured I had to go all in or I would fail. I'm not sure if that was accurate, but there's something about immersing oneself into something that is intimidating - hence the feelings of accomplishment and empowerment and even some liberation from fear. I also really enjoyed the time alone, but ultimately found that loneliness is a hard pill to swallow.

[@Campology]

awesome vid .... thanks so much for taking us with you on the journey

[@atardivel]

Another magnificent video! Congratulations on your accomplishment. You are an inspiration!

[@delgray8818]

This is magnificent - the scenery, the video, the accomplishment, all of it. I love how your personality and emotions become more evident in the videos as your confidence grows throughout the hike. What a joy to go along with you for the trip!

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed it. The GDT is a magnificent trail.

[@dude2666]

Inspiring person, inspiring trail !!! SOLO !!! YOUR A BADASS !!!! so awesome.

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Aww, thanks!

[@OntarioHikingTrails]

That hiking expedition looks incredible nice scenery

[@kurtisf3366]

Awesome accomplishment T! I’ve been waiting for this video to come out as I’m planning my next Section hike for 2020 and have been watching the yo-yo videos again for inspiration. My wife and I had a similar moose encounter at McCarthur Creek Warden Cabin at the north end of Section C this past summer. We were watching for you and would have recognized you but it wasn’t to be!

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

I would have loved to meet you two! I will likely be out there in some capacity this summer, so maybe I'll run into you then. Happy trails!

[@_dmart]

Wow, these two episodes have been amazing, and very inspirational. Looking forward to the next episode!

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Episode 3 was uploaded a few weeks ago if you didn't have a chance to see it. Episode 4 is in the works, and hopefully out in a week or two. :)

[@HM-gk3rq]

I think I’d be nervous to solo backpack but it’s also not something I’m interested in at this point. Have gone with just me and my girlfriend which felt like an accomplishment to me!! Enjoying your videos!!

[@lakorai2]

The Marmot on the trail (2:01) was asking "how does this guy outsell many of my tents!"

[@durstongear]

Ha ha......yes he was disappointed we didn't have a Marmot tent.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Awesome video. Well done subscribed ✌️

[@jays7318]

Great accomplishment!

[@DaveIrish66]

Very cool!!!! Congrats to you along your journey. How wonderful😊👍

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Thank you!

[@LongStraightLines]

Just wonderful. Thank you.

[@reneemccammon1935]

Great videos and what an inspiration you are for me. 55 and once get some work done on my knees i want to solo thru hike and this inspired me thank you

[@Campology]

Wow! Such excellent work.

[@alidamau5925]

This is my favorite hiking vlog so far! Thank you for sharing your adventures

[@nathan.barnes]

We had a similar experience with a moose in the 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine. I've bumped into a bunch of moose in my day in northern Ontario, but never had one be so fearless and close.

[@nathan.barnes]

I was also having this moment of thinking of the teenage girl who would tell me of her dreams and share with me her fears so many years ago, and I am so proud of you and Dan and all the two of you have accomplished. I am also so thrilled to see the strength you have shown as individuals as well. I love that your relationship has grown into a powerful, interdependent reality. Thank you for encouraging Carrie and me with your courage.

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

@@nathan.barnes !!! Ahh!! Your encouragement means so much, as it did all those years ago. My default has always been to live in fear, so pushing out of that has never come easily for me, but this long hike definitely helped. I must say, knowing that I believe in a God who is always with me was one of the most encouraging ways to deal with "being alone." I have never prayed so much in my life! Haha! Thanks for your kind message, and for playing a part in opening up my eyes to backpacking, although I must say I never did get a knack for winter camping, despite those youth camping trips ;)

[@filmic1]

Very much enjoyed all your episodes... That Coolpix W300 is really nice. I have one.

[@SrslyJonSweet]

Wow - gorgeous!!! Never thought I’d find anything as beautiful as the Sierras but this really makes me want to get up further north. Thx so much for the detailed, beautiful documentation!

[@SrslyJonSweet]

Also: totally the right call on that apple. Looks so-so on film but I remember what I felt like 4 days after my last resupply - fresh food is worth killing for! Have fun!

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

@@SrslyJonSweet I must say, the Sierras stole my heart on the PCT, so I hear what you're saying! And yes, the GDT has some pretty stunning scenery. And THEE apple - I have zero regrets about that one! I just couldn't figure out what it was doing out there, but my guess is maybe it was hunting bait for sheep...?

[@SrslyJonSweet]

Tara Frey-Durston Glad the sheep hunter didn’t get you! Can’t wait to see your next chapter!

[@judley1963]

Love these videos of your amazing adventure. You are an inspiration for me :-)

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Thank you!

[@elizabethwhite6364]

You rock girl! Great trip!

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Thank you!

[@saramaglione2960]

Can I just say that I'm so happy you ate that apple ❤

[@jeffschroeder886]

Nice! Loved your perspective on Section E, Tara. I'm really missing this trail today as I watch this. Happy New Year, Durstons! Godspeed in 2020.

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Thank Jeff! Happy New Year to you as well, and if you are back on the trail this summer, let us know what we can do to help - stay with us in Golden for sure :)

[@jeffschroeder886]

@@tarafrey-durston2606 Thank you Tara! I really appreciate it. I'm crossing my fingers I can do another section of the GDT. We shall see ;) If not, I'll likely do the Sunshine Coast Trail. All the best to you both!

[@pikkea]

Haha I was just thinking about the new videos yesterday... Thank you for sharing! Loving it

[@bosun120]

Excellent videos! If you don't mind me asking, what did you use for recording? Camera or just phone? Also looks like you brought a tripod for those walking shots? Thanks, can't wait for the next one, and to hike the GDT in the future!

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I just recorded on a simple Canon camera (nothing fancy at all), and used my trekking pole as a tripod whenever I took videos of myself walking away or towards the camera. We had a stretchy cord attached on the side of the camera that I can quickly fasten it to the pole. Dan stabilizes all the shots when he puts the photos together, otherwise they are super jerky from me walking.

[@peterguercio9504]

This video is awesome!

[@paddle_hike]

WOW! Awesome! I dream of long hikes and this one is amaaaazing. Just bit worried about Grizzlies but other than that. Keep it up... that's amazing. Thanks for sharing

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

The GDT is a true gem of a trail. If you like hiking, keep it on your radar. The Grizzlies are a little unsettling, but I only saw one in the distance this summer, and any that we saw in 2017 either ran off or didn't give a rip about us, so I've gotten more comfortable with the idea of running into one. Still scary...but in a respectful way as opposed to a terrified way.

[@paddle_hike]

@@tarafrey-durston2606 awesome, thanks

[@MikesFitnessGoals]

My tent at 0.28 haha! This is so beautiful!

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

I love that tent :)

[@SrslyJonSweet]

It is a great tent! Still can’t believe how much room for so few ounces, and ridiculously unfrustrating to set up.

[@bigskytroutbum]

Yeah, I remember watching that great video series of your yo-yo hike in 2017. You say your husband did that hike with you? Really? I'll have to go back and watch again.

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Haha, right?!

[@nvtruant5994]

This was so inspiring but also a bit depressing 40km days!!! Wow, with a pack and elevation I’m lucky to do 15km😩

[@decentdiversions]

Really enjoying these, Tara. Hope to hike the GDT someday. BTW, just read your blog on veganism & I can relate. Cheers!

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

Oh cool! I tried veganism for a while (for reasons discussed in my blog you read), but have seemed to settle into vegetarianism. I'm not sure where I will end up with it all, but it's great to hear that someone out there relates to my reasons :)

[@decentdiversions]

@@tarafrey-durston2606 Is Part 3 coming out soon? :)

[@tarafrey-durston2606]

@@decentdiversions Working on it! Slowly...but maybe in two weeks?