Q. WHY?
A. This is not an easy question to answer. Think of something you like, something that fulfills every need you have,
something that you would give up everything for, something that makes things seem right, something that
you’re good at, something that makes sense. Thats what long distance hiking is for me. I get to be organized,
I get to plan, I have a goal to meet every day, I don’t have to answer to anyone. I get to be active, I get to
see amazing things, I get to hang with amazing people. I get to go on an amazing adverture and
be someone else for a while.
King of the wild things
Q. Max?
A. Yes, my name is Max, as in King of the Wild Things. Call me Diane on the trail and most people won’t know who you’re talking about.
Q. So What do you get for completing the triple crown?
A. I assume you mean do I get an award, recognition, fame and fortune. No.
Q. How do you aford it?
A. Live simple, stay out of debt, have a credit card with a big ass limit.
Q. Did you quit your job….again?
A. Yes
Q. Is this the last trail?
A. I can’t make any promises.
Q. How long does it take?
A. About 6 months. Thats pretty much all the time you have for any of the long trail because of weather.
Q. What about your apartment?
A. I’ll give it up. I’ll officially be unemployeed and homeless.
Q. Where is the Continental Divide?
A. Well for all you peeps that failed geography..its in the middle, almost 
The trail actually runs from
Mexico to Canada through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Its estimated at 3100 miles
but there is no official distance. The trail is not complete and theres a couple of different routes
so you make up your own sometimes. This trail will definately require a map & compass and a GPS.
Q. Do you know how to use a GPS?
A. Nope
Q. Are you going with a hiking club or organized group?
A. No. But I am hiking with some awesome friends that I met on the P.C.T in 2007. For the most part we are all solo
hikers, going in the same direction. Only about 30 people a year attempt a thru-hike of the C.D.T. compared to
3000 on the A.T. and 300 on the P.C.T, about half completing each trail. I’m hoping we stay pretty close together
otherwise its going to get pretty lonely.
Q. How do you get into towns to resupply?
A. I hitchhike. So far I have not been raped or murdered.
Q. Do you talk to strangers?
A. Yes. If someone offers to take me to their house and feed me, let me take a shower and sleep in a nice soft bed I
will gladly go with them. So far I have not been raped or murdered.
Q. Can I send you stuff?
A. Hell yeah. I have a list of post offices that I will be sending resupply boxes to. Its always nice getting little
care packages. Anb by little I mean little. Like a bag of candy or box of cookies or a letter, nothing I have to carry.
Not 10lbs of trail mix (mom)
Q. What do you eat?
A. Real world – not much meat, no junkfood, lots of salads.
Hiking world – everything and anything.
Q. How far do you hike?
A. The average day is between 20-30 miles.
Q. Is it cold?
A. Yes
Q. Is it hot?
A. Yes
Q. Are there wild animals?
A. Yes
Q. Do you shower?
A. Yes…but not very often.
Q. Is it awesome?
A. yes
