[imike]

it looks to be a most interesting year... and looking back there appears to be an upward trend. I have to wonder if the folks logging the upper end elevations can note a clear difference in their conditioning compared to those "lessor" years?

I managed to burn out (blister) the bottom of my feet on the longer white sands trek earlier this week, but I hope to be back on line for next week... still thinking about a million foot year?

[azbackpackr]

I am out of the game this year. Last year, despite not starting in earnest to log miles and AEG until late summer, I did okay. This year I won't start any sort of real hiking until the middle of May, so if I can end up in the top 40, as I seem to recall I did last year, it is going to cost me quite a bit of time and effort (and is not likely to happen since I plan to paint my big old house this coming summer.) Ah, well, there are other things in life besides hiking. This year, living in a foreign country, and going on at least one month-long river trip: both are on my plate. I see no reason to complain about that.

[WilliamnWendi]

I know Wendi and I are expecting to at least double mileage this year. Not sure about AEG at least in terms it's ratio to the mileage. We're getting off to a slower start than we expected though, ironically because of the smaller hikes we're taking to condition with our backpacks. I am worried about summer hikes. With the forecasted gas prices I don't expect to be heading north every weekend.

[Outdoor Lover]

With the forecasted gas prices I don't expect to be heading north every weekend.

That is definitely going to hurt. I'm already way ahead of last year, so everything now is bonus miles....

[Jim_H]

Too early for me to specualte, but I found that while it isn't necessarily that hard to pick up AEG, if I don't do it, I loose it fast. It seems that way, at least.

[Jim_H]

I'm noticing some very impressive top 5 AEG totals, as well as a noticeable upward swing in AEG for totals for those in the top 14 or 15. It looks like unless those people stop hiking, you won't break into the top 14 level.

Anyone planning to do a 100,000' month. It wouldn't be that hard, really.

[Patrick L]

Definitely some machines cranking up their miles and AEG. I'm impressed.

As far as the ability to do more challenging hikes, I'm happy, but I feel like I'm slacking a little bit number-wise. Too much downtime from being sick, hurting my feet/ankles/legs, and all that other good stuff.

[Jim_H]

Welp, I am really happy to have made an appearance on the home page's top 10 for mileage and AEG. I was only on for mileage briefly until I was overtaken, but I've been on for AEG for almost a week, though I expect to be booted this weekend. I haven't been on any lists since I came out here last September. It was nice while it lasted. Maybe I can stay on the top 20 for AEG for the year?

[Jim_H]

So, I'm back in an area where there is a lot of hiking available for AEG, if I chose to do it, or do the same stuff over and over again. I should easily make a reasonable goal of 150,000' for 2012. Still, I'm seeing some very impressive totals amongst top members for the year, and that begs the question of what one has to do to reach some arbitrary, but noteworthy mile stones.

To hike 100,000' in a year, a hiker need only average 1923' per week, or 2 Squaw Peaks.
For 250,000', you need to average 4808' per week, or 2 Eldens.
For 300,000', you need to average 5770', or a little more than an Elden and a Humphrey every week.
For 500,000', it's 9615' every week, or 1373 a day.
For 1 million feet per year, a hiker must average 19230 feet per week, which is just under 3,000' a day, on average.


So, in 2013, can we expect a new record for the site?

Me, I just want to get back over 200,000'. 250 would be nice, but I don't expect it. I came so close to 300,000 in 2010 and would have easily made that in 2011 had I not moved to Kayenta, but I don't believe I have the time or motivation to hit 300,000'. But, you never know.

[imike]

it is impressive to see the annual totals... they have migrated ever higher. I'd like to know if it is the result of more and more pleasure outings, or if a conscious effort has been added with an emphasis towards training.

In 2009, when I topped out at 519,000' mine was about training... and most of those efforts involved an augmented weight of over 50 pounds each hike. I'm back to that same pattern as 2012 closes out, using body weight and pack weight totaling 75 pounds in excess of my "event" weight. I'd like to be close to back in shape as 2013 kicks off. Might be an interesting year?

[chumley]

I will never compete with the leaders on HAZ, but that's not a concern for me. But it looks pretty good for me getting to 365 miles for the year (1/day), which is a huge increase for me. Actually, barring injury [insert knock-on-wood-emoticon here], I am hoping to get to 400, but my planned trips are currently about 15 miles short of that.

If only I had been logging all my bike rides too. At 7-miles or so every day I ride to work, I probably have 500 miles just commuting!

[Jim_H]

There was a time when I was a top hiker, but I suspect it may have been more that I was logging all of my trips, where other members were not. There is no way I can compete with 700,000', 500,000', or the like. Some would say it's a motivational issue, but with work, and everything else, it's really a reality issue for me. I really wish I had gotten over 300,000' in either 2010, or 2011, but I did not. It is a goal, for some year. Maybe 2013? Probably not, but I do want to get back over 200,000' next year. I may be able to make it up towards or over 160,000' this year, but that really isn't very much.

200,000' of AEG in 2013. That is my goal. Probably over 500 miles, too.

[Patrick L]

I'm sitting at about 378, just 26 below last year which I will top for sure. I could probably finish the year with 120,000', but we'll see.

[imike]

I vacillate between wanting to attempt one last over the top effort... and settling down to what is likely more practical for my age. One day last week I could not make it up to the 1,000' mark on a trail... two days later I logged over 6,000' on an off trail bushwhacking day! It remains confusing. I'd like to see just what the potentials are before the inevitable down hill slide takes it's toll.

I may go out this week and see what a 9,000' day feels like coupled with a 6,000' day... all on trail. I'm booked into a 55 mile day hike in February. If I can stay healthy and find the motivation I think I have a shot at bettering some of my prior marks. Any and every day outdoors is pure fun... all of the stats are just spice into the mix. 2013 could be interesting.

[azbackpackr]

I [insert knock-on-wood-emoticon here]

[autumnstars]

If only I had been logging all my bike rides too. At 7-miles or so every day I ride to work, I probably have 500 miles just commuting!

Bike miles are not included in the Self-Propelled total.

[Jim_H]

Well, congratulations to an impressive 3/4 of a million vertical feet of elevation gain goes to Johnlp. Over 750,000' Very impressive!

[chumley]

I was just looking through my laptop and realize that I have decided to keep 6,401 photos this year (who knows how many were actually taken!)... The vast majority of which were during hiking adventures. Wow that's a lot of photos!

Luckily for all of you I don't have either the time or patience to over-process even 10% of them into electric-neon-HDR-hell and post them on HAZ. Maybe I'll resolve to post more next year!

Oh and I got to 100k Saturday which is sorta a cool milestone for me too!

[Jim_H]

I had thought I would be lucky to get near 150,000' this year, but I cleared 170,000' and depending on how things work out, I may be able to top 175,000'. I won't be upset if I don't but it would be nice to make it, since it really isn't far off my goal of at least 200,000' for 2013, and after my foot puncture and low summer totals, I think I did really well.

Think john will cross 800,000'? I wonder if we will ever see that 1,000,000' year?

[SuperstitionGuy]

I never thought that I could reach 136K this year and maybe I will even top out at 137k before years end. Of course I am not in the same league as the rest of you because I am talking about Pixel Triva Points and not what I can accomplish on the trail.

My Christmas presents this morning consisted of a pair of TV ears so I no longer have to turn the volume up on the TV and drive my family out of the room. I also received an "Amazing Pocket Chair" that I can use when I have walked to far and can unfold, setup and sit down on to rest when I get to tired. My wife gave me an "Easy Feet" so according to the instructions I can experience "No More Bending To Clean Your Feet" while in the shower. It says it "Cleans, Exfoliates & Massages!" as well, has up to 10,000 bristles, has a suction cup bottom and grips to any floor. So that's whats it's like folks when you get as far over the hill as I am. The only thing I lack now is that bathtub chair and a longer back brush to really feel safe when I venture into the shower or tub.

They however did not take away my four wheel drive Suzuki Gran Vitara or its keys yet so I can still visit the more remote trailheads and USFS roads that my Dodge Caravan cannot traverse. Which reminds me that I need to experience Forest Service Road 172A at least one more time just for the fun of it. Anybody out their needing to be dropped off or picked up from Rogers Trailhead in the next few months?

Merry Christmas everybody and I hope Santa gave you some hiking/backpacking gifts that you can actually use.

PS - I also received an ear/nose hair clippers for Christmas. I think my family was trying to send me a subtle message about my grooming. One morning I got tired of trying to keep those ear/nose hairs from growing and went out to my garage, soaked a q-tip in Roundup and carefully coated each hair. Then the strangest thing happened as the ear/nose hairs began to grow like crazy. I later discovered that instead of using Roundup I had soaked the q-tip in Miracle Grow.

Now my family wants me to get new glasses again!