Hey Matt, I was on the Tonto Creek with you. Fun trip. Anyways, I think the thermarest/packcover idea was a good one, but I'd make a pack cover out of SilNylon and then seal the seams. Since you're looking to cut pack weight, Matt, take a look at tarptent.com. The guy makes some nice, ultralightweig...

I've been out here in Phoenix now starting on 3rd summer, and I hardly even notice the heat anymore. When we first moved out here (at the end of July), I thought I was going to die!

Now, I do Camelback at least 3 times a week at about 4pm, and hardly even notice that it is the triple digits.

I guess I am curious as to what is so evil about campfires (as long as you make sure you don't burn down the forrest)?

I hiked up another peak on Sunday, where there are some ruins at the top of the peak. I'd reccomend the hike even if the ruins aren't your thing, as it was quite a climb up the peak with no trails, and the view from the top was awesome. KH Photos from both hikes and ruins are here: http://www.shadow...

If anybody wants to get there, you can enter off of the end of 20th st north of circle mtn road. There is an old gate that goes into the forrest. The peak is pretty much straight ahead. While there are some forrest service roads in the area, the easist way to get there is just 'straight ahead'. You'...

If anybody likes Indian ruins - I live in New River about 1/2 mile from the Tonto Nat'l Forrest. (Circle Mtn. Rd. and 18th st. There is an 'official' entrance at the end of 20th st.) There is a tall peak straight back from here, about 1.5 -2.0 miles. I just bushwack the whole way. You go accross sev...