SILVER CITY, NM - The Continental Divide Trail Coalition has announced the full lineup of presentations and events for the third annual CDT Trail Days Festival, April 28-30 in Silver City, NM. The festival celebrates the kickoff of the 2017 hiking season. Past and prospective hikers of the Continental Divide Trail will travel to Silver City from all over the world to attend the event. This year's schedule includes an expanded range of presentation topics, a downtown street festival, and interactive community events.
For locals who wish to learn more about the Continental Divide Trail and the culture of hiking and backpacking, the festival provides a compelling mix of education and family fun.
On both Friday and Saturday, the CDTC will host seminars and presentations at the Seedboat Gallery from 9am-4pm. Speakers will cover a broad range of topics, targeted towards everyone from the novice outdoorsperson to experienced long-distance hikers. This year's lineup tackles social and political issues as well as survival basics and trail stories. Among the more salient topics addressed will be racial and gender diversity in the outdoor community. There will also be a seminar on the federal public lands transfer, an imminent threat to all outdoor recreation in the United States. Audience members will be given clear ideas about how to take action on these pertinent topics.
On Friday evening, the Little Toad Creek Brewery & Distillery will host the highly anticipated annual gear raffle and happy hour.
No festival about hiking would be complete without a daring adventure story, and Shawn Forry's keynote address on his 2015 winter hike of the Pacific Crest Trail promises to inspire and thrill. He will recount his tale on Saturday, April 29, at 7:30pm at the Murray Hotel Ballroom. As with all Trail Days events, it is free and open to the public.
Other presentation topics include hiking safety, navigation, and culture, the Arizona Trail, and the ecology of New Mexico. For a full schedule and list of presenters, visit www.continentaldividetrail.org.
On Saturday, April 29, the parking lot of Morning Star Sports and the adjacent block of Bullard Street will be converted into "Base Camp," an outdoor-themed street festival. Prominent gear vendors, nonprofits, and local businesses will have booths, complete with activities for children. The eclectic local band Illusions will play from 12-3 pm.
On Sunday, attendees can flex both their calf muscles and their creative ones. County Assessor Raul Turrieta will lead a community hike up Gomez Peak at 10 am. Hikers will experience a more hands-on learning opportunity with gear vendors from the previous day, and have the chance to test out different shoes, backpacks, and more. At 4:30 pm, the festivities will conclude with an Open Mic at the Little Toad, giving all hiking enthusiasts the chance to share their stories and their talents.
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition prides itself on local collaboration and community engagement, demonstrated nowhere more enthusiastically than in the lineup for the 2017 Trail Days Festival. The event is not just a celebration of long-distance hiking - it brings together our shared values and reverence for not only the land, but for each other.
Trail Days is grateful for the support of returning title sponsor Vasque Footwear, as well as retailers Gossamer Gear, Granite Gear, Toaks Outdoors, Osprey Backpacks, Backpackers Pantry, Darn Tough Socks, Leki, Atlas Guides, and many more. The event is made possible by local partners Gila Hike & Bike, Morning Star Sports, the Market Caf+¬, Little Toad Creek Brewery & Distillery, the Town of Silver City, the Silver City Arts and Cultural District, and its many attendees and volunteers.
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The mission of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition is to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail by building a strong and diverse trail community, by providing up-to-date information to the public, and through encouraging conservation and stewardship of the Trail, its corridor, and surrounding landscapes. The CDTC is a nonprofit organization based in Golden, Colorado. For more information, visit www.continentaldividetrail.org.
About the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
The Continental Divide is a geologic feature, running the length of the Americas, that separates the watersheds of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Congress established the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in 1978 to conserve the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural and cultural qualities of the Divide and the surrounding areas. The CDT comprises one-third of the world-famous Triple Crown of hiking. Stretching 3,100 miles along the backbone of the United States from Canada to Mexico, it accesses some of the most wild and scenic places left, offering significant adventure and promoting personal well-being.