I moved my 90-day winter trip on Montana and Idaho’s portion of the Continental Divide to an earlier date. The reason is the possible El Niño event. By the next ENSO update on January 8, I will probably already be in the backcountry, one month early. With 460 miles in front of me and the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness being most of the last 110 miles, an El Niño event could play havoc on that final month of travel, if I am traveling in the latter part of April. There is also a risk by leaving so early. However, I am unable to wait for that next report. Instead I will rely on what I see going on through the month of December. And yes, I will continue to watch the NOAA forecasts, including the 3-month extended forecast.