I am one month into my AZ hiking adventure

[JasonCleghorn]

I love HAZ and look forward to finding hiking buddies on here, but I have a couple questions...

1. Does everyone in AZ that hikes own a pitbull?

2. Have any of you ever had a lapse in judgment and said something to the loud talkers, the folks playing music wide open on trail, and if so, how did it end.

[Jim]

What is the AZ hiking adventure, is that the 100 in 100 days thing?

No, there are plenty of other types of dogs, but I find pit bulls to be friendly dogs that relish attention if the owners don't abuse them.

No, but I did yell at some kids who threw a banana peel off the Humphrey Summit Trail into the Tundra. Made me very angry. I don't remember, but they seemed shocked to be yelled at. Also, I try to avoid people as they stink up trails and are loud. Seems some people hike to air dirty laundry or socialize, I do not.

[JasonCleghorn]

I just meant adventure as in more adventure than Florida, LOL.

[SuperstitionGuy]

I just meant adventure as in more adventure than Florida, LOL.

Yes there is adventure in hiking and backpacking Arizona and the only difference is you have to be careful not to step on the rattlesnakes verses the alligators that you have in Florida.

[kingsnake]

@SuperstitionGuy Though in all fairness, in both Florida and Arizona you have to watch out for Snowbirds ... :whistle:

[SpiderLegs]

Well I'm guilty of accosting hikers that play music. If it's someplace like Squaw Peak or North Mountain I let it slide. But if you are out in a wilderness area like Siphon Draw, Humphrey's Peak or other places that attract a large number of hikers I will say something.

Was doing Mt. Wrightson last year and you could hear this guys music bouncing off the peaks and he was a mile or two below me. Needless to say with every step I was getting more ticked off. Luckily a group of 4 guys that all looked like current military were having an intense discussion with this fellow by the time I got to where he was. He shut off his music with a little encouragement from these guys.

[JasonCleghorn]

My thing today was with a "they don't look like they have ever gone hiking" family that was spooking the he** out of some horses that were up ahead of me at Thunderbird today. I'm not a big horse person and don't ride but you have to be some kind of dumb to provoke and scare horses that can trample you.

It was all I could do not to say something.

And I have nothing against new hikers, everyone has to start somewhere.

[chumley]

Have any of you ever had a lapse in judgment and said something to the loud talkers, the folks playing music wide open on trail, and if so, how did it end.

It's never been a lapse in judgement. Always well thought out and intentional. And it has always ended up with some self-absorbed being pissed off at me. But I'm still alive, so I consider it a positive.

[Tough_Boots]

Does everyone in AZ that hikes own a pitbull?

better a pitbull than a chihuahua...

[PatrickL]

If I play music without headphones and no one else is around to hear it, does it make a sound? It happens occasionally when I know I'm alone - just keep the device handy so I can turn it down in the event that someone actually does show up. Common courtesy takes care if a lot issues.

[JasonCleghorn]

@skillpore

I'm scheduled to do my first overnights Friday and Saturday nights up near Dugas in the Cedar Bench Wilderness south of Camp Verde. I'm going with a meetup group.

[azbackpackr]

@skillpore

I'm scheduled to do my first overnights Friday and Saturday nights up near Dugas in the Cedar Bench Wilderness south of Camp Verde. I'm going with a meetup group.

Have a blast!!!

[winotron]

My thing today was with a "they don't look like they have ever gone hiking" family that was spooking the he** out of some horses that were up ahead of me at Thunderbird today. I'm not a big horse person and don't ride but you have to be some kind of dumb to provoke and scare horses that can trample you.

It was all I could do not to say something.

And I have nothing against new hikers, everyone has to start somewhere.

Worst hiking experience I've ever had was at Thunderbird. We went late morning one day last spring, and it was just PACKED with all the worst kind of people. The trails themselves were OK, but I don't think I'll ever go back there again.