6 months, 5000 kilometers, pure wilderness - and only 6.2 kg of luggage. Our NIKIN Hero Johanna is fulfilling a long-cherished dream: the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) from Mexico to Canada. In this interview, she talks about her preparation, her inner motivation and the challenges of a real thru-hike. An honest insight into a life between minimalism, closeness to nature and mental strength.
Johanna, what inspired you to hike the CDT - and how does it feel to start this adventure?
"The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) has been a big dream of mine for so long - one of those dreams that you carry deep inside you and have to realize at some point. This year was just perfect timing and I knew it was now or never. I'm really looking forward to being back in nature, stripping life back to the essentials and feeling that freedom that you can only find on a trail. At the same time, I'm also nervous because the CDT is known for being difficult to predict. But that's exactly what makes it exciting, and I knowthat I will grow with it."
What are you taking with you - and how hard do you have to hump on the hike?
"As little as possible! My base weight is around 6.2 kg - that's all I need: tent, sleeping bag, a few items of clothing and other basics. I love being minimalist on the road and finding out how little you really need to be happy. Of course, I also need food and up to 5 liters of water, but that's also part of the challenge. If you're curious: Click here for my complete packing list.
The trail is considered particularly challenging. How do you deal with difficult moments - mentally and physically?
"The difficult days are just as much a part of it as the good ones - they are what make the trail the adventure I love so much. When it gets tough, I stop and remember my 'why'. These are the moments that challenge me to go beyond my perceived limits and the feeling afterwards is indescribable. It's not just a sense of achievement, but also a reminder of how strong I am and what I can achieve. These days not only strengthen my willpower, but also my confidence in myself."
The CDT leads through spectacular landscapes. Which places are you particularly looking forward to - and why?
"Every trail has its very own magic, and I find it impossible to compare them. But the Pacific Crest Trail will always have a special place in my heart - it was my first thru-hike. Feeling that total freedom for the first time and leaving everything behind had a profound effect on me. On the CDT, I'm particularly excited about the 'desert' in New Mexico and the Wind River Range in Wyoming. The landscapes will be so diverse and I'm looking forward to soaking up all these new impressions."
How do you prepare for such a long journey - both mentally and physically?
"This time I'm preparing much more consciously than on my previous hikes. I'm doing strength training for my legs and feetwalking regularly jogging and hiking with a packed rucksack to get used to the weight. I prepare myself mentally by adapting to 'Discomfort' especially by ice swimming in Lake Zurich. This not only strengthens my willpower, but also helps me to stay present and sort out my thoughts. Writing down my 'why' and thinking about it again and again gives me also a clear direction."
What was your most important learning from your last hike - and how does it influence your current Thru-Hike?
On my last tour in Turkey I bought the outer ligament in my ankle - a major setback. It showed me once again how quickly plans can change and how important it is to remain flexible. At first I found it difficult to let go and adjust my goals, but in the end I learned that it's not always about sticking stubbornly to a plan. Since then, I've been listening to my body more consciously, taking signals seriously and planning with more leeway to be able to react to the unforeseen.
What does sustainability mean to you when hiking - and how do you experience nature on your trails?
"When I'm outside in untouched nature, I feel incredibly connected to the world around me. This connection often makes me think, especially when I directly experience the effects of climate change and the more intense weather changes. It makes me realize every time how important it is to protect our planet. This feeling is a mixture of deep gratitude and responsibility. I do my best to travel as sustainably as possible and hope that my experiences inspire others to treat nature with more mindfulness and respect."
If you would like to join Johanna on her journey, follow her on Instagram at @tinkle.hikes. There she shares regularly honest insights, highlights and challenges of her everyday life on one of the longest long-distance hiking trails in the world - straight from the wilderness.
