Corona Virus Impacts Hiking Plans
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition has ceased shuttle service to the Southern Terminus until April 17. At that time they will reevaluate the situation, but they may cancel all shuttle service for the remainder of the hiking season.
Initially, I planned to take the shuttle on April 4. The CDTC allowed me to change my reservation to April 20 and I've changed all my other travel plans to that start date.
However, the CDTC is strongly encouraging hikers to consider switching to a Southbound hike, starting in June at the Montana/Canada border, or to postpone until next year.
For now, my plan A is to take the shuttle and start the hike April 20. But based on everything I'm reading and hearing about this corona virus, the most probable scenario is that infections continue to increase sharply at that time. If that turns out to be the case, it's very likely that all shuttle services will be cancelled.
Plan B would be a Southbound hike starting around June 1 from Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada.
The worst case scenario would be that the infection predictions in some models are realized. Infections would continue to increase until the July time-frame, infecting virtually every corner of the country, overwhelming hospitals and medical supply chains. In this case, it would be reckless to go traipsing through every small town between Mexico and Canada, potentially spreading the virus, putting myself and others at risk, and straining the ability of local services to care for the people who live in those communities.
The dilemma:
I had to quit my job in anticipation of starting the hike April 4. My planned last day was going to be next Friday, March 27. If Plan A or B works out, then this is still a good strategy. I've extended my rental agreement at my apartment until the end of April, and Molly has agreed to let me stay at her place during the month of May if Plan B is enacted.
However, if the worst case comes to pass, and I can't hike this year at all, then quitting my job in the middle of a pandemic is financially a bad move. I would end up living off the savings that I planned for the hike, and would be unable to hike next year. Getting a different job would probably be really tough until things start to calm down. If this starts seeming the most likely, then asking to recant my resignation might be a good move.
Complicating this decision is the fact that my company is requiring people to come into the office. With our relatively open floor plan and closely packed desks, we are a petri dish. Every virus that comes through the doors sweeps through the entire building. Friends who have asthma and other respiratory conditions are already being told that they are not exempt and must use sick time or vacation if they're not in the office. I have had pneumonia and bronchitis many times throughout my life and suffered from asthma as a kid. Even today my lungs don't feel great. I'm running and working out regularly, but i know what clear lungs feel like, and I'm not there. Going back to my job would guarantee a paycheck through this crisis and would essentially guarantee that I would be able to hike next year. But it would also guarantee that I get this virus, may end up hospitalized, and would then be spreading the virus to other people.
Everything is up in the air and I have until Monday morning to figure out what to do.