The Heaven/Hell of Collegiate West | Colorado Trail #6

[@markrico1917]

Evan, you're a treasure. There are a lot of KZbin backpackers who chase clicks (not that there's anything particularly wrong with that, it's just a strategy) but you've somehow kept your voice and motivations intact and focused on your enjoyment of the journey. I love your videos because of how earnest and genuine you are, and the wealth of knowledge that you share.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks very much!

[@kerrykells7052]

I appreciate that you have studied and researched the Colorado Trail and know the names of the passes, lakes, trailheads and know the mountain ranges that you are walking through. Regarding crossing high passes in the afternoon-not all clouds indicate lightning. But, I do remember Homemade Wanderlust hiking the CDT and being in completely exposed areas with lightning all around. Great message to us older hikers! I was astounded that I completed the CT with all my foot problems and intolerance of heat, and yet, I didn't ever really doubt that I could do it. And happy birthday!

[@Av_dti-skibiti]

Still watching. Knew you both would keep going and live through the weather and mozzies. Long days, but you'll always miss it when you're back in the 'real' world. Unpopular opinion: as hard as it is sometimes, the woods seems to be the only place some people feel both alive and free. 🤟

[@jeffs6229]

Happy Birthday Evan! Touching words on missing your wife, especially as you hit 60. Andrea will be happy to have you home as will the rest of your family. Happy Birthday Evan and we your viewers have every confidence that you and Liz have this hike in the bag. Stay safe and God Bless! Thanks for sharing the great videos!

[@jennifersimpson6385]

Evan your videos are always a highlight to watch. So appreciate all the effort you make. Thank you.

[@Get_Some_Nature]

Isn't the Collegiate West EPIC?!!!!! I hiked through 3 hail storms in one day in 2021. It's my second favorite section of the trail after the San Juans!!! ❤ Enjoy your birthday!!!🎉

[@EllenLangfordPaints]

You are amazing. This video was magnificent. And I can't believe you're older than I. Was sure you were you younger... Your sweet words for your wife made my eyes leak. Thank you so much for all you share with us. I have learned so much.

[@roamingrick8736]

Evan: Interesting 4 years ago just past my 60 mile marker, I was watching your AT end to end hike and I’m not kidding when I say you sucked me into the whole experience. While I’m no thru hiker I’ve managed about 300 miles section hiking the AT since, done numerous other other hikes all around the Shenandoah and Massanutten Mountains. I wasn’t new to all of it previously a Boy Scout many, many moons ago, and you helped rekindle my interest. Happy Birthday, you’re never to old as long as your feet hit the ground when you wake up and you can move in a forward direction! And thank you!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks to you too!

[@LifeChanges57]

Happy birthday!!!!!

[@thearkansashiker]

What an amazing way to spend your 60th. Rock on Brother!

[@johnholliday1695]

Happy belated 60th birthday wishes Evan! I'm confident there will be a "proper" birthday celebration awaiting upon your return to TN. I have been watching your videos twice, as well as Liz's. You're a wealth of information, and I usually catch something that I missed the first time. I imagine you must be very near Durango this morning. Finish up strong! And safe!! Thanks for sharing this adventure!

[@debsmith7050]

Hope you had a happy day Evan! Seems like an awesome way to celebrate 60 🎉 Thanks for the fantastic views

[@js4513]

Happy birthday, Evan. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@philhorne3293]

Happy Birthday Young Man! I hit 65 in a few short weeks and am planning a week long trip in the Shanendoahs in October. I've followed you and LIz both since your AT adventure. Its good to see you both back on a trail.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Good luck on the trail!

[@wanttogo1958]

Happy Birthday! I agree that as you age your confidence in your physical ability does wane some. Getting out there and proving to yourself you still have it, like you are doing in this hike, serves as a good boost though. You all are looking strong. Clearly you would prefer to celebrate your birthday with your wife and family but being able to do so with Liz is a pretty good alternative, considering the circumstances. Take care and good luck on your hike.

[@gregory_adam5350]

Hope I’m like you when I’m 60, Evan. 👍🏻

[@janefm9220]

You guys are doing awesome and Happy Birthday, Evan! What an inspiration to all 💪🏻🥾

[@bagboy1942]

Happy Birthday, Evan!

[@ervinslens]

Brilliant video, looks like a great place to hike and explore my friend! Your videos somehow have a heart and soul!

[@gretat1087]

Happy birthday!! Your end message was so sweet. I am sure your wife is overwhelmed with pride watching you accomplish this goal!

[@wendyk.6987]

I'm right behind you turning 60, and understand about losing confidence in your body's ability. You give me hope just watching the hard stuff you are doing. Happy Birthday and God Bless Andrea for holding down the home front. Stay safe

[@JohnColorado3811]

Thanks for the encouraging message, ( I'm 54) I keep getting this nagging feeling this one hike is beyond my capabilities due to my age. Love the channel

[@keithstewart2639]

Well.. happy birthday. Good place to have one🎂🎂🎂🥳🥳🥳 thanks for the views and all the information. Looks like you all are having pretty good weather

[@Jewelvonmayhem]

I'm lovin following you's and L:izes vids! I look forward to the next leg of the adventure every day. ♥

[@ctrawick3]

We run Hope Pass twice during the Leadville 100. It’s a kicker.

[@DavidJonesWalksFar]

Nice. Videos are great. Enjoy them very much. Thank you.

[@GrizzleGear]

Happy Birthday! Great to see you all together! I miss y'all!

[@granolasteeve]

Happy Birthday, Evan! Great progress & thanks for the inspiration for us not so old guys...

[@richardross7219]

Happy Birthday Evan. Now you can qualify for the gezzer discount that some store offer. Happy Trails. Good Luck, Rick

[@jojojojo-ot4dh]

Happiest bdy🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉movement is a gift.. keep moving, you will make to the other side of the trail!

[@OneEyeHikes]

Been thru it twice and your advice is spot on my friend!

[@jennybrandon2393]

Happy birthday, Evan!🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@sandragoodson1892]

You two make a good team because you keep pushing forward with confidence and intestinal fortitude, lol. I can't believe some of the climbs you're expected to do without being roped up on some of these trails. Happy birthday. Doing 60 proud! No way would I have crossed that sketchy snow patch, good god.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Watch Liz’s video-a great video and a better view of that snow patch. We had some discussion later about whether we’d been foolish to do it.

[@feetunes]

Happy Birthday Evan from a 58er across the Atlantic. You are one of my inspirations, though I haven’t yet had time to do a long distance walk. It will happen. Great videos.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks good luck!

[@victorcocco8033]

Happy birthday to you Evan ! Hi Handstand and Luke .

[@EdinburgMSify]

Happy Birthday Evan! Good luck to you and Liz. I pray that you don't get hit with anymore hail.

[@michaelrockinger]

happy Birthday Evans. I am warching you from Swizerland. Congrats on managing such long mileages.

[@Self_Proppelled]

Happy birthday old man! 🙂

[@fhazen01]

Happiest of birthdays Evan. Keep trekking and creating great videos.

[@bjjt-nu9dx]

Cottonwood Pass, highest paved highway pass of the continental divide in the U.S. While the pass is just over 12,000 feet, Mt. Princeton, Mt. Yale and others to the east and thus in the Mississippi drainage are over 14,000 feet. Think on that a bit. 😀

[@hikingfeedsmysoul6960]

Happy Birthday, Evan

[@ScottValler]

I agree on the timing with the west route. When I was hitting three passes in a day, a few weeks back, there was no way to hit them all early in the day. Watch the weather and roll with it. You have an idea of how long it takes you to climb a pass at this point in the trail and can make a good call based on what you see.

[@kennethlovelace9403]

Happy Birthday Evan! Happy Birthday Liz! Glad you could celebrate together doing what you both love to do!

[@franksmiley8485]

Happy Birthday Evan!

[@billseay6399]

Hey Thanks again great video and HAPPY BIRTHDAY

[@linedog6186]

Happy Birthday Evan! Congrats on 60 and still accomplishing your goals. Thanks for sharing your journeys with us. Great to see you , Liz, and Luke back togerher again.

[@hikersmama8813]

Gorgeous!! Happy birthday!!

[@DrJohn493]

Congrats on completing the CW segment as you reached 60!! What a pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning catching up on your CT videos. Thanks for the outstanding views from that segment, which I'll probably not get a chance to see personally. At 70, my mind makes too many promises but my body can't keep 'em anymore (apologies to a Little Feat lyric). I did have the good fortune to see some of the CW though near Hendersonville and the Alpine Tunnel area on a CT volunteer crew in 2016. Really disappointed to see the beetle kill on the RR grade segment of the trail. Also worked on a segment where it crosses Tin Cup Pass Road in 2014. It's a gorgeous area! Thanks for taking me back a few years! P.S., If you didn't take the opportunity to treat yourself to a meal at the Boathouse Cantina on the Ark in Salida you missed a great place to relax for a while.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for the great comment.

[@livesoutdoors1708]

Happy Birthday!🎊🎈🎁🎂 ❤

[@ChicaandSunsets]

Omg no way you are 60!!!! Happy happy birthday from me and Sunsets. Glad you’re feeling more confident! You got this!! - Chica (also - all those views!!!!).

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks Chica!

[@bubbalovesoatmealadventure108]

Happy Birthday. You guys are killing it!

[@TheWeekendHiker]

Happy Birthday Evan! This section of trail is simply stunning. God speed sir.

[@haydennnnnnnnn]

I "section-hiked" the first half of the CT sobo in 2020 (thru-hike attempt gone wrong) when I was 18, have been itching to get back out to her ever since, this time with a lighter pack and a (hopefully) smarter me. Found your channel right around your first or second CT upload, each one keeps me looking forward to re-attempting the trail... and probably going west instead of east this time because damn, those views are nuts! Keep on crushing those miles Evan (and happy birthday)! Your content keeps this 21 year old broke college student looking forward to every upload... and hopefully getting back to the CT when I can :)

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Hope you get back to the CT soon!

[@jayarnold4149]

Enjoy traveling with you and Liz Following both of you online and Liz’s pass ,love her achievements.

[@jessicapayne8622]

Thankyou to you both did your vids!!!

[@rosemarymcleod4074]

Happy Birthday 🎁🎂

[@georgespivey3900]

Happy Birthday!

[@berniebroering7438]

Evan, I hope you fully enjoyed your birthday out on trail. I was going to do the same on the River to River trail but family issues complicated it so Im still holding off. (May of 61) You're doing great and keeping fit. Loved the views Evan, keep 'em coming! Raising a glass... Cheers!

[@gabriele1975]

Sorry about your “gastric distress” but the term is funny! 😂😂😂 Thanks for the laugh!

[@johnnyrussell8729]

Happy 60th Evan !

[@Leo_Leo13]

Happy Birthday, Evan!! Glad you survived the snowy passes to see 6-0!!

[@nathanbenton2051]

go get it man. great job:D

[@LifeChanges57]

Such a beautiful place to hike. Your so lucky to be able to enjoy your life like that. Thank you for showing what it's like. I hope to one day get the supplies needed and hit a trail, I've walked around a lake and such, but not a real trail and camp out. It's nice to see what it's like and how you do it.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Stick with it. It took me a few years to feel comfortable sleeping soundly in the woods. I’ve talked about my learning process in some videos (esp. one titled 80 miles on the Appalachian Trail from 2017 or 2018).

[@SalineScott]

Happy birthday

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks Scott!

[@jgeisler]

Did the trail maintainer NOT know who you are? LOL We have confidence that you will be able to finish, and I'm sure your wife is so proud of you and will help you celebrate this milestone in your life. Keep it up and stay safe.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Haha great comment.

[@RC-qf3mp]

Nice. Love the tarp set up segments. Always include please. What length cords do you carry for the tarp? And how many and what kind?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I might do a segment on this but it might be better suited for a separate stand alone video. Or you can email me (see description) and I’ll send you my standard answer when I’m back home. Basically, carry more than you need at first and then whittle it down when you decide on the tarp set ups you like best.

[@tangenttrails]

Happy birthday post birthday! I want to say thank you for sharing your CT hike, Evan. I found your channel while doing research on the CT and your video style is really informative. I’m glad you got the confidence boost. I’ll have turned 63 by the time I finish my planned CT thru hike next summer. Again, I’m enjoying your journey. Thanks and keep on moving!✌️

[@LizKidder]

man the viewsssss in this section🤤 can we do it again I was too busy crying to notice lol

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You noticed!

[@ctrawick3]

Evan - to hear you being fearful is absolutely hysterical !!

[@CC58]

Liz's video was very scary of that snow traverse. Seems to have shook up both of you. Trail workers should have made that safer.

[@ctrawick3]

To see you pushing your limit makes for a tremendously solid video watching experience. Seriously. These have been even better than your BM hike vids.

[@TheMccluref]

Is that the same bug bivy you had on the AT?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes

[@jhonyermo]

As always. Another great video to join all your other great, interesting, and oh-so informative videos. BTW I have been watching your videos for years, before the AT actually. • Long range question. Ever going to do a desert trail, such as the AZT? Probably to busy to give that much thought? 🙂 • Glad I stayed for the personal message. Just think! Yow, you have 60 orbits around the sun. You sure look like you have taken great care of yourself for all of them! Best wishes and all the very best.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for your comment as always!

[@bjjt-nu9dx]

Lake Ann, near the Apostles. Rugged country.

[@Colkev2024]

first!

[@Wanderinginthewilds]

Happy birthday!!!!

[@JM.5387]

Happy Birthday, Evan!

[@ndettwiler]

Happy Birthday Evan!!!

[@thruthebiblewithmicey]

Happy birthday Evan 🥳

[@heatherhood4305]

Happy Birthday 🎊🎉🎂

[@chris0895ozone]

Happy birthday!

[@mooreoutdoor9841]

Happy Birthday!!!

[@kerrir1955]

Happy Birthday!