Got my ass kicked on the AZT

[Kooziehiker]

Great story. I enjoy section hiking, and the AZT looks to be a beautiful trail. Very cool water cache. Thats a heck of a trail profile !

 

[North of 60]

Great effort @mtwarden The heat is miserable. One of the most important things about getting younger is staying active and you are doing it!

Another trail to consider for section hikes or a thru hike that likely has cooler temps generally than the AZT is the Colorado Trail (CT). The West Collegiate and the San Juans are simply gorgeous.

It is 485 miles from Denver to Durango. It can be a little warm going down the road at Waterton Canyon (beginning of the trail in Denver) until hitting the forest, and coming down from elevation into towns to resupply on food periodically. The hostels along the trail are a great place for a hot shower.

The average elevation is above 10K and we averaged about 15 miles/day when I did the CT at age 52 with two 19 yr olds (my son and one of his buddies). Longest day was about 23 miles.

Met many nice people on the trail and one remarkable gentleman...somewhere between Twin Lakes and Lake City we ran into a young guy of 72 years doing the CDT (3100 mile Continental Divide Trail)...i told him he was my hero for what he was accomplishing.

I would do the CT again in the next 2-5 years if i could find some retired guys wanting that kind of adventure.

 

[S.Clancy]

Epic story!

When I saw that pic of the Indian food, I knew you're were going to live!

Phenomenal effort Mike, proud of you man! No shame there. It's hard to beat youth

I saw that and thought to myself "why is this dude getting Indian food in southern Arizona...."