Looking for a Partner for AZT thru-hike after baseball

[tahoemike]

Hi...

I'm looking for a partner to do the AZT north to south as a thru hike shortly after the Diamondbacks are eliminated or go all the way (yeah!). I have some lightweight experience and am now going ultralight so virtually all of my gear has that new look to it. I can handle (after "break-in") 20-mile, +3500 ft days but have no problem backing off for weather, smelling the roses or whatever. Getting to Superior before the PO closes doesn't matter to me. Tomorrow will be fine. My wife insists upon Thanksgiving, so a couple days or so off, then back on the trail. Do need to finish by Dec 15, however.

[fairweather8588]

The list looks good, the only comment i have is that for a Winter trek (even starting soon with the way the diamondbacks are playing) an arc edge might not be enough for a majority of the trek, and because of the narrow specs (hence the low weight) there may not be a whole lot of space to layer inside of it

[tahoemike]

Well, no one has expressed any interest as yet. I'm wondering if people think this is the wrong time of the year. Or maybe I scared folks off with the 20 miles per day bit. That's my SUMMER distance, I realized. I'm really more of a 2 MPH guy as I like to look at the sights along the way. 2 MPH in the summer gets you a fairly easy 20 mile day. As the days get shorter probably the miles get shorter as well.

[Davis2001r6]

Sounds like a good time, I could probably do the 20 mile a day thing after a week or two. Did about 16 miles a day on a California trip this year but with 4-5k feet elevation gain everyday and elevations from 8-14k feet. Just being able to take that kind of time off is impossible for most. This time of year is actually great hiking in AZ. Most can handle cold a lot better than HOT.

You definitely have a light pack going for you. I wouldn't want to see more than a day or two of rain or snow with that gear though. I can handle being cold for a day or two, but it could be bad for a few weeks with any weather.

I don't have good enough data on the AZ trail to know where all the water sources are. I've had to carry a few gallons of water numerous times because of dry camps, not fun. No ultralight way about it. I know your planning on wet camps, but is that actually a realistic option. Like I said, I don't know enough about the route to know where it is.

Also, your new to the site, you don't have any triplogs posted, nor does anybody know what your typical trips are like. What kind of hikes you do, backpack lengths, elevation gain, hiking speed, any of that stuff. I would never go on a long trip with someone I don't know. There are plenty of people that I meet on a daily basis that would drive me NUTS if I spent more than a few days with them, much less a few months.

Good luck on your hike and please do post your progress when you do get a chance. The AZT isn't high on my list, but it would be a cool thing to get done. More likely 1 week at a time for me, but that adds up after a while.

-TIM-

[tahoemike]

Tim,

A lot of good points. As far as being equipped for the cold, I actually think I'm good down to, say, 10 degrees, not that I'd care to do that for long! Five layers including the poncho. Looking over the list, it looks like some thicker socks just for the cold might be prudent. I forgot to include the gloves; two liners plus rain mitts.

If the forecast is really bad, the nearest town would get priority. A bad weather pattern of a week or so would probably get me thinking about heading home. I'm not looking for a survival test.

It seems to me that anything other than "reliably available water" per the Official Guide simply won't be available this time of year. I'm talking with a friend about the possibility of setting up 30-40 water caches along the way. It looks like this can be arranged so you can have wet camps, though I haven't put the maps together yet (probably an entire day to do) or laid out cache sites or checked with the Forest Service as to whether or not this can be done (many FS roads in Tahoe have locked gates; I haven't hiked AZ outside of Phoenix and don't know what AZ is like in that respect). The logistics of this trip seem at times overwhelming. And it's mostly all about the water.

I too would not plan on spending an extended period with a someone I don't know. I've presumed a few meetings to plan, maybe a day hike trial run. But your point is well taken. I've dropped out of the blue here and whoever would consider this would need to consider me as well. So meetings are definitely in. BTW, four seems the right number for a group to do this, but then that's that many more people who have the time at the same time and so forth.

I've been figuring up to this point that six weeks would be needed for the trek. Everything needs to happen on schedule for six weeks. Maybe seven weeks is more reasonable. Since I've placed a Dec 15th deadline on myself this needs to begin by Oct 27th or the trip could become a rush to finish which I'd like to avoid.

I'll keep moving forward at doing the trek, but realistically the odds are probably against this happening at this time. Partial completion is an option, although thru-hiking a complete trail somehow appeals to me. And it isn't like the AZT is the only hike around. Some interesting trips are starting to pop up on the boards.

[Davis2001r6]

Setting up 30-40 water/food caches would probably take a full week or two. I wish there was better info available for planning purposes. I would think there would be more water available than that though. Hopefully having a water source every other day. I havent planned anything longer than a 5 day trip and never had to set-up caches ahead of time for anything either. Logistics is always the hard part, once your hiking everthing takes care of itself.

-Tim-

[Grasshopper]

Plus one more week to "find/push" your way through the Mazatzal Wilderness section..

[scorpion scus]

gotta tell ya. this will not , to me be a fun trip, only because of the lack of water. to me the best time to do this would be late feb. or early march heading s. to n.when there is pothole water yiou can count on as well as flowing water in the washes [both almost always can be counted on].also i think traveling ultralight on a 7oo mile trip is not the way to go. sturdy reliable gear is a must . back east on the a.t. ultra lighters would have a partner traveling in a car meeting them just about every night w/water and food for them at there meeting places. doesn't mean they didn't carry nothing because some of these guys would have to camp out sometimes in situations where there was to many miles to cover in 1 day. maybe people on this site would be able to meet you at some of your destinations. and water was not usually a problem. also a trip of this leghth needs to be planned out well in advance. for instance going this time of year a dry camp is no big deal, your in the desert get over it.also here in az. 2 days of travel . will bring you pretty close to a dirt rd. almost anywhere in this state. where you can set up a cachet . there are dirt rds. every where out here. even if you have to hike a mile or two to get thnere and you wouldn't have to worry about whether a person got your cachet there or not. sometimes things happen. not trying to be a wet rag just pointing out somerealitys and plus i don't know you, you could be fine and everything could be hunkydory. i just think you should have been setting up your own cachets and have more po drops as well as these little out of the way buisenesses that are located next to the tr. who might take a food drop for you.any way i'm done, because i can't type for c#$p and this is taking forever. can i say good luck and i hope its a great trip.

[Hoffmaster]

you could be fine and everything could be hunkydory. any way i'm done, because i can't type for c#$p and this is taking forever.

Dude, your hilarious!
I'm laughing with you I swear!

[fairweather8588]

http://www.geocities.com/davehicks01/03 ... urces.html

Here's a site by a thru hiker who's now quite involved with the AZT, if you look at the bottom there's an email address for someone who has assembled a water chart of the trail. I wouldn't count on it, but it could be a helpful tool along your way

[te_wa]

from looking and searching the web for current azt info, it looks as though there are currently at least 10 people hiking the azt - most are solo hikers*. just a few days ago the most famous of them (if backpacking and famous can be used in the same sentence ) Andrew Skurka just crossed into AZ from the Grand Enchantment trail. he hiked thru Aravaipa Tuesday and should be heading towards Superior. At 30 miles a day, and going Ultralight, he will be at the Grandview Point trailhead in less than 3 weeks. That should conclude a 6,800 mile SOLO hike. If that isnt inspiration to get out on the AZT and hike the damn thing I dont know what is. I wish I could join you for sure. I dont think water on the trail is an issue obviously there are several people hiking the AZT right now who are relying on natural sources and town stops only, no cache's or outside help. I believe you can do it.

*how many will finish is unknown- but at least they are trying

[tahoemike]

Grasshopper,
Yes, when I first read about the Mazatzal Wilderness section, I ordered a pack cover within the hour! Probably needed one, anyway, but that clinched the deal.

fairweather,
You know, I've looked through that site and I missed that page for some reason. Definitely a good starting point for figuring out water from towns or caches. Thanks.

te-wa,
Did you find these folks hiking the AZT from the various journal sites? I started listening to the Andrew Skurka odyssey on the BackPackingLight.com Podcasts. Amazing! He's done as much as 40 miles in a day and averaging 34-35 miles a day. Of course, he's in his twenties and I'm 60, maybe that's relative. I'll stick to my 20 miles in a summer day.

Skurka's Gear List is very complete and very instructive. I haven't finished his Podcasts yet, but I hope he discusses any gear breakdowns or lack thereof.

Interesting, the water thing maybe isn't the problem I thought it would be. But Mrs. Tahoe won't sleep at night with me wandering around the wilderness by myself and I'm not so much interested in a contemplating-my-navel-exercise, and I'm doubting anyone will step up to the plate at this point, so...

Maybe someone would be interested in a Utah-Flagstaff trek?

[fairweather8588]

I thinks there is another skurka podcast at trailcast.com right after (or near the end of) his Sea-to-Sea trek where he goes pretty indepth on his gear and other methods for a long distance hike

[Davis2001r6]

Wow, just got a chance to checkout out Andrew Skurka's website. There is a lot of really good info on there from ultralight backpacking to diet and nutrion on a long demanding trip. A few from AZH happened to run into him at Rogers trough TH for Reavis ranch this weekend. Sure wish I could have been part of that.

[te_wa]

Since some of us have been following him since the C2C trip, we decided to meet him again and this time over at Lone Pine Saddle. He was on his way from Roosevelt to Pine. His mom sent him a pair of REI carbon poles, and he got some new GoLite shoes at Roosevelt. I now have the duty of shipping his old single pole back to his mom's house. (he broke one about 300 miles ago)
He was happy to see us (fairweather I) and it looks like he lost about 15 lbs, but overall a good demeanor and high spirits, even tho he described his journey through AZ as quite challenging. He said he has had nothing but hard times over here so far... hehe.
I warned him of the Mazatzal divide trail so he decided to avoid it by re-routing his steps and should be close to/in Pine by tonight. He willingly accepted a gallon of water as a gift from Andrew, and gobbled up some other stuff we brought. After an hour and a few pics, we departed once again and maybe wont see him again. What a character, and what a journey...
He mentioned that he was going to do some more hiking almost right after this trip, he's meeting family and co-workers at Grand Canyon in a couple weeks and right after that will be doing the CDT or i think he said the Vermont trail, whatever that is.

[nonot]

I was wondering what he would do when he hit the divide "trail", it's probably the best that he went around it.

[tahoemike]

I just finished all of his podcasts. I really don't know what to say. Maybe, WOW.

[BoomerTom]

I have no idea when baseball will end but I am looking for a partner or someone who will be on the trail at approx. the same time for safety concerns--- I want to leave from the North (Utah) at the end of August and arrive at the end of the trail (Mexican Border) sometime in Oct. I'm an older guy (61) who has always wanted to hike the AZT but I am in no rush --- I want to take my time and stop when need be --- stay overnight at various lodges along the way. Enjoy a soft bed, great steak and a few beer. I want this trip to be a combination of vacation enjoyment and exercise.

BoomerTom

[nonot]

You want to backpack through one of the hottest places in the US at the time it will be the hottest? There's a reason everyone finishes the South AZT by mid-May and doesn't venture out again until late October...

You may want to think this through a little more.