"Wake up, drink coffee, eat oatmeal, break camp. Walk, walk, climb, walk, walk, go down, walk, climb." -- Karen Berger, Hiking the Triple Crown. When beginner hikers think about hiking for the first time, they may think about all the walking and climbing, what to eat and a place to sit. But what is a hiker's ultimate goal: what gives him the motivation to go the extra mile or the extra day? The satisfaction of everything, the sleep, the cuts, the scratches, the bruises, the desire to move forward. The beauty and horror of it all, the will to move forward gives a sense of accomplishment above all else. The hiker's goal may well be to expand the essence of one's individualism, in some sense to be as free and persistent as the trail itself. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) extends from Mexico to Canada with a distance of 3,100 miles. Its mesmerizing settings include Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. There are many deadly forms of wildlife, from poisonous plants to aggressive animals such as rattlesnakes, bears and wolves. While not fully established, this trail is suitable for an experienced hiker, who may have hiked trails such as the Appalachian Trail before. “In 1978, Congress amended the National Trails Act of 1968 to form the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, but more than 30 years later the trail is still unfinished” (Boyer 1). The lack of clearly defined paths poses enormous difficulties; therefore the use of maps is strongly recommended, to help hikers find the safest route, while respecting their autonomy. Another main goal of the maps is to navigate through unfinished routes. For decades, the CDT has been an obstacle to American migration westward. Given the infamous obstacles,...... middle of paper... hikers will be able to experience the wilderness the way it was originally intended. With unpredictable weather, wildlife, etc. Where hikers are given the freedom to make their own decisions. As much as tangible dangers hinder one's journey along the way, the desire, attitude and love of hiking is perhaps what keeps them wanting the next level. Given the circumstances, the route is truly an invitation to the infinite freedom that can be experienced away from the rest of the world and dedicated to nature. Works Cited Berger, Karen. Trip to the Triple Crown. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books, 2001. Print.Boyer, Mark. “A Guide to Exploring the Continental Divide.” Find out how it all works, June 12, 2012. Network. March 26, 2014."Continental Divide National Scenic Trail." The Bureau of Land Management. NP, 14 June 2012. Network. 26 March. 2014.