In this episode, Doc sits down with 2026 CDT Trail Correspondent Jared "Fisherman" Lampal, who has officially survived the blistering desert of New Mexico and is currently checking "State #1" off his completionist master list. Jared debuts a rare, blonde trail-fuzz beard and shatters all romantic notions of wilderness solitude by revealing that the CDT is surprisingly packed with social tramilies, with roughly 10% of the entire 2026 registration pool currently hiding out in Chama. The highlight of his trip involves treating the trail less like a strict red line and more like a loose, "choose-your-own-adventure" corridor , which apparently includes scooping murky, algae-ridden cocktail water straight out of a dirt circle surrounded by cow poop.

Show Notes

Episode Overview: Doc welcomes back Jared "Fisherman" Lampal for his first official on-trail check-in. Standing right on the border looking into Colorado, Jared has checked the massive milestone of New Mexico off his list. In this raw look at life on the Divide, Jared breaks down how his structured mindset translates to the unpredictable backcountry, the reality of desert water management, and what it’s like to shift from a desk job to full-time trail life.


Key Discussion Points:




  • The New Mexico Milestone: Jared reflects on spending over a month completing his first state section, contrasting the massive scale of the CDT against the AT.




  • The "Corridor" Philosophy: Embracing advice from a veteran Triple Crowner, Jared explains his route approach—treating the CDT as a continuous corridor from Mexico to Canada while taking scenic dirt alternates rather than sticking strictly to a red line on a road.




  • Trail Highlights: A look at the standout beauty of the river-crossing canyon of the Gila alternate and the wind-worn sandstone mesas between Grants and Cuba.




  • The Crowded CDT: Why Jared was surprised by how social the bubble is this season, including a heavy trail town gathering in Chama.




  • Horrendous Water Realities: A deep dive into the brutal water logistics of New Mexico, from relying heavily on 20-mile cache carries and cow troughs to a sketchy, desperate camp session beside a murky, cow-poop-ringed pond.




  • Looking Ahead to Colorado: Transitioning from the high desert directly into peak country and high-altitude climbs.




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