I saw a news article about a week ago where the Israeli government was warning Israeli citizens to avoid the desert regions due to some vague terrorist threat. But the article didn't make it clear if this was the Negev or whether it was in Egypt or elsewhere. I'm curious whether this trail passport has something to do with that? In any case, the passport sounds like a good idea to separate the crazies from the serious hikers.

By the way, I decided after considering all the input to wait 'til fall for my hike. I gave up the visual beauty of springtime for the relaxed pace of a fall hike. Now the challenge is to stay healthy between now and then, as there's 300 more miles on the Continental Divide Trail to do and that always beats me up!