Plan was to join my buddy for 200-ish miles of the AZT (he's doing the full 800-ish miles)—AZT as in Arizona Trail—Mexico border to Utah. Had to ship five days of food for a resupply at half way point. My buddy is 20 years my junior and a very accomplished thru hiker (third time on the AZT, Colorado Trail, Idaho Centennial Trail and at the end of May—one of the biggies the PCT). We were joined by a younger guy (40 years my junior) who is an aspiring thru hiker.
Started out pretty decently after flying into Tucson—cloudy and 70°; we (Elliot the youngest guy) met up with Tom right at sunset—ate supper, setup tents and laid out the game plan for the next couple of days.
We started early in headlamps when it was nice and cool.
Unknowingly the last time for a couple of days that I would see the other guys.
After 9-10 miles of relatively easy rolling country
, the trail pointed uphill and began a long, arduous ascent. I knew I was behind, but no idea how far behind. The sun was out w/ no clouds and it was getting hotter by the hour; unfortunately I've never made friends with the heat
. At 3:00-ish PM I finally stopped for a break and a late lunch. I was pretty haggard, roughly 20 miles in w/ 2500" of climbing. Our meeting spot was another four miles, but climbs another 2500' in the four miles. I sent an inReach message that I was on my way but likely coming in the dark. They hadn't made it yet, but were getting close.
I climbed another mile with the sun fully beating down on me and knew I wasn't going to make another 3 miles. Got on the inReach and let them know that I was retreating (back to the only water source where I ate lunch). They said the climb is brutal and we would try and meet up the next day.
I was up at 5:00 in the dark and after a quick breakfast started up. It took me three hours to cover a little over 4 miles (and 2500'+ of gain). Fortunately I was in the shade most of the time.
At 8000' it looks a little like Montana w/ tall Ponderosa pines.
I thought I was done climbing only to find that I had another 1000' to climb before it tipped over for a descent
When I finally started the descent the sun was full on and hot. The trail very steep with rock and gravel—I fell twice but fortunately right on my back where the pack took the brunt of the fall.
I got an inReach telling me about a creek that was running good water. It was late afternoon by the time I got to the creek and incredibly hot—really wanted to just soak in the cold creek, but still had a long ways to go.
I got another inReach that they would be waiting for me at a newly constructed rain cache, built for hikers doing the AZT. I found the cache (very impressive steel structure—holds up to 1500 gallons of water), but no Tom or Elliot.
I sent a message and got a reply that they moved up the trail another four miles near a "lake". I sent back my message that it would be after dark before I got there.
It was rolling country w/ a couple of steeper climbs and the angle of the sun was directly in my face (it was also blazing hot!). My legs were pretty much toast, but kept plodding along. Thankfully the sun finally made its exit and soon was donning my headlamp.
I arrived at the "lake" (which was in reality a stock pond that you had to wade into to avoid the pond scum) and met up with the guys at about 8:00 PM, dead on my feet. Setup my tent, ate supper and set my alarm for 5:00 AM. It didn't cool off a ton that night which I took as an omen—not a good one.
The country was rolling and by 7:30 the sun was full out and already hot (w/ no shade).
After 3-4 miles (lost the guys about a mile in), the trail turned sharply uphill for a very steep climb. I was good about drinking plenty of water (this particular water with a very green haze) and taking electrolytes BUT I knew my time on the trail was coming to an end. We had lots (and lots) of more climbing ahead and the forecast was calling for record breaking heat!
Took a long time to get to the pass and start my descent—I could see a paved road and what appeared to be a rather large camping site in the distance. When I got close to the road there was an older couple (older being about my age
) pulling out empty gallon water containers and replacing them with new ones—trail angels. I emptied my green water out and replaced it with fresh, clear water. We chatted a bit and I asked them if they happened to be form Tucson; they weren't but would be heading through there. I asked if there was any chance I could accompany them, telling the trail had gotten the best of me. They graciously said yes and got me to a motel near the Tucson airport. I was able to book a flight back to Montana for the next morning. After a long, cool shower I took advantage of a nearby Indian food restaurant—pro tip: Indian food can be very spicy! 
I didn't make it home until midnight, but was welcomed to 20-ish degree temps and 10" of new snow—no probleemoo!
62 miles (~10,000') in three days (two half days) that kicked this guy's ass.All I could think of was this:
Started out pretty decently after flying into Tucson—cloudy and 70°; we (Elliot the youngest guy) met up with Tom right at sunset—ate supper, setup tents and laid out the game plan for the next couple of days.
We started early in headlamps when it was nice and cool.
Unknowingly the last time for a couple of days that I would see the other guys.
After 9-10 miles of relatively easy rolling country
, the trail pointed uphill and began a long, arduous ascent. I knew I was behind, but no idea how far behind. The sun was out w/ no clouds and it was getting hotter by the hour; unfortunately I've never made friends with the heat
. At 3:00-ish PM I finally stopped for a break and a late lunch. I was pretty haggard, roughly 20 miles in w/ 2500" of climbing. Our meeting spot was another four miles, but climbs another 2500' in the four miles. I sent an inReach message that I was on my way but likely coming in the dark. They hadn't made it yet, but were getting close.I climbed another mile with the sun fully beating down on me and knew I wasn't going to make another 3 miles. Got on the inReach and let them know that I was retreating (back to the only water source where I ate lunch). They said the climb is brutal and we would try and meet up the next day.
I was up at 5:00 in the dark and after a quick breakfast started up. It took me three hours to cover a little over 4 miles (and 2500'+ of gain). Fortunately I was in the shade most of the time.
At 8000' it looks a little like Montana w/ tall Ponderosa pines.
I thought I was done climbing only to find that I had another 1000' to climb before it tipped over for a descent
When I finally started the descent the sun was full on and hot. The trail very steep with rock and gravel—I fell twice but fortunately right on my back where the pack took the brunt of the fall.
I got an inReach telling me about a creek that was running good water. It was late afternoon by the time I got to the creek and incredibly hot—really wanted to just soak in the cold creek, but still had a long ways to go.
I got another inReach that they would be waiting for me at a newly constructed rain cache, built for hikers doing the AZT. I found the cache (very impressive steel structure—holds up to 1500 gallons of water), but no Tom or Elliot.
I sent a message and got a reply that they moved up the trail another four miles near a "lake". I sent back my message that it would be after dark before I got there.
It was rolling country w/ a couple of steeper climbs and the angle of the sun was directly in my face (it was also blazing hot!). My legs were pretty much toast, but kept plodding along. Thankfully the sun finally made its exit and soon was donning my headlamp.
I arrived at the "lake" (which was in reality a stock pond that you had to wade into to avoid the pond scum) and met up with the guys at about 8:00 PM, dead on my feet. Setup my tent, ate supper and set my alarm for 5:00 AM. It didn't cool off a ton that night which I took as an omen—not a good one.
The country was rolling and by 7:30 the sun was full out and already hot (w/ no shade).
After 3-4 miles (lost the guys about a mile in), the trail turned sharply uphill for a very steep climb. I was good about drinking plenty of water (this particular water with a very green haze) and taking electrolytes BUT I knew my time on the trail was coming to an end. We had lots (and lots) of more climbing ahead and the forecast was calling for record breaking heat!
Took a long time to get to the pass and start my descent—I could see a paved road and what appeared to be a rather large camping site in the distance. When I got close to the road there was an older couple (older being about my age
) pulling out empty gallon water containers and replacing them with new ones—trail angels. I emptied my green water out and replaced it with fresh, clear water. We chatted a bit and I asked them if they happened to be form Tucson; they weren't but would be heading through there. I asked if there was any chance I could accompany them, telling the trail had gotten the best of me. They graciously said yes and got me to a motel near the Tucson airport. I was able to book a flight back to Montana for the next morning. After a long, cool shower I took advantage of a nearby Indian food restaurant—pro tip: Indian food can be very spicy!
I didn't make it home until midnight, but was welcomed to 20-ish degree temps and 10" of new snow—no probleemoo!
62 miles (~10,000') in three days (two half days) that kicked this guy's ass.All I could think of was this:
