Silver City, NM –April 15-17, 2016, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC), will launch a series of events through out the weekend in Silver City, NM to celebrate the launch of the 2016 CDT Hiker Season and once again celebrate the Town of Silver City as a the First CDT Gateway Community!
“The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is proud to celebrate communities that are helping to protect and promote the Continental Divide Trail,” stated Teresa Martinez, Director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. “These partnerships increase local stewardship of public lands, support community initiatives for sustainable economic development and conservation planning as well as support healthy lifestyles for community citizens.” On April 15-17, the CDT Trail Days and Kick –Off event will take place in Silver City, NM.
“Silver City continues to host and celebrate visitors to the areas around our community for a long time and we continue to look forward to the increased regional, national and international visibility this will bring to Silver City. “says Callie Kennington, Silver City Arts and Cultural District and Tourism Director.
Continental Divide Trail Days will begin on April 15 with a seminars being held at Seedboat Gallery between 10 am and 4:00 pm on various topics including navigation with a GPS and how to plan for a long distance hiker. The events will continue at Little Toad Creek Distillery and Brewery at 5:00 p.m. with a welcome, book readings, and an amazing gear giveaway and raffle.
Saturday April 16 will feature a gear expo and organizational showcase, a town walk, Big Ditch Day events, and a CDT Second Line from Seedboat Gallery to The Stan Murray Visitor Center will take place. The event “Trailhead” will be at the Stan Murray Visitor Center and the “Base Camp” will take place along the Big Ditch Trail in downtown Silver City, NM. The event hopes to welcoming travelers setting out to hike over 3,000 miles, those who enjoy shorter sections of the CDT as well as local citizens who use the iconic Trail.
Presentations will take place at the Seedbopat Gallery Performance Center at 214 W. Yankie Street. CDTC will host multiple seminars and outdoor activities throughout the day~ AND IT'S ALL FREE!!!
Saturday’s Key note Presentation (4:00 pm Seedboat Gallery) will feature a presentation by Jean Ella who ,when 19% of the Continental Divide Trail was "suitable for hiking", with hiking partner, Lynn Wisehart ,set out to become the first women to hike its length. This is the awe-inspiring story of their almost seven month adventure along the CDT in 1978.
This year’s event welcomes title sponsor Vasque Footwear, along with members of the Thru-hikers Syndicate including the following outdoor gear companies- Osprey Backpacks, Leki, Darn Tough Socks, Nemo Equipment, as well as welcome Gossamer Gear, Zero Gram, Hikertrash, and many local and national organizations.
Activities continue on Sunday April 17th at the Gomez Peak Group Use Trail head where hikes led by the Grant County Trail group, a bike ride led by Gila Hike and Bike, and trail work sponsored by CDTC will all occur. On Sunday, the public is invited out to test the gear made by Vasque, Leki and Osprey with a gear demo day being provided by partnering outdoor retailer companies.
List of Events are as follows:
Friday, April 15, 2016
· 9:00 am- 4:00 pm: CDT Seminars at Seedboat Gallery Performance Center.
· 5:00 pm – ??.: CDTC Happy Hour and Celebration at the Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery and help us raise money for the Town of Silver City Gateway Community Program and CDTC!
5:00 pm: Welcome
5:30 pm: Book Readings
6:30 pm: Door Prizes and CDTC Fundraiser
7:00 pm- FUN!!!
Saturday, April 16, 2016
· 8:30 am- 9:30 am: Town Walk with Walk 2 Connect founder Jonathon Stalls, students from Aldo Leopold High School, and Silver City Assessor Raul Turrieta. Come learn about the Youth Mural Project meeting at the Javalina Coffee House and ending at Murray Ryan Visitor's Center.
· 10am- 3 pm: Outdoor Organizational Showcase and Big Ditch Day celebration along Big Ditch Trail. Presentations at Seedboat Gallery and Performance Center 214 W. Yankie Street. GRIP and Maintstreet Silver City host Big Ditch water monitoring and information booths.
· 3:00 pm: CDT Second Line- and informal walk to the Visitor Center for a group picture. Can’t meet at the Seedboat, join us at the Visitor Center at 3:30 pm.
· 4 pm: CDTC’s Keynote Presentation- The 1978 Rocky Mountain Women’s Expedition of the Continental Divide Jean Ella (214 W. Yankie Street)
· 2 pm- Midnight : ToadFest- NM Breweries takeover the taps at the Little Toad to share their brews and Little Toad will be re-releasing the 'Gateway Ale'.
Sunday, April 17, 2016
• CDTC Trail Adopter maintenance day (Sign up at CDT Booth on Saturday 4/16)
• Grant County Trails Group hike to Gomez Peak /CDT( Sign up at GCTG Booth on 4/16)
• Gila Hike and Bike Ride on the CDT (Sign up at Gila Hike and Bike 4/16)
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
CDTC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and management of CDT. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition mission is to create a community committed to constructing, promoting, and protecting, in perpetuity, the CDT, which stretches from Canada to Mexico, through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. For more information please visit www.continentaldividetrail.org.
About the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Congress as a National Scenic Trail established the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in 1978. When complete, the CDT will be the most significant trail system in the world. Stretching 3,100 miles along the backbone of America from Canada to Mexico, it accesses some of the most wild and scenic places left in the world while conserving the environment and promoting personal well being.
Contact: For more information or to schedule an interview, please call: Teresa Martinez, CDTC Tel: 540-449-4506 Fax: 303.828.2949 Email: tmartinez@continentaldividetrail.org Web: www.continentaldividetrail.org