looking for partner(s) for spring 2015 thru hike

[Nunki]

I am looking for a partner or two for a thru hike of the Arizona Train this Spring, 2015. Haven't decided whether to go southbound or northbound. Anyone interested? I am from Vermont, have thru hiked the Colorado Trail, Long Trail, JMT and climbed various mountains. I am just beginning to plan this trip and recently ordered the guidebook. If interested, please respond. Janet

[garyc57]

Nunki/Janet,

If you're starting in the spring, it had better be a north-bound hike. Depending on your definition of "spring", starting at the Utah border, and heading south, you'll run into snow and ice; the North Rim will still be closed; and by the time you reach the deserts in mid- and southern Arizona, you'll be looking at 100+ degrees, with few water sources.

Please, keep us posted. We're a friendly bunch, and love to answer questions.

I, for one, envy you.

Gary

[Nunki]

@garyc57
Any suggestions regarding how to find a hiking buddy or two?

[garyc57]

@Nunki
You're asking in the right place. If anyone's interested, they'll respond. With the great hiking weather we've had the past few days, it may be they're all out hiking.

[gogogladys]

I am planning a hike starting around the first of April. I'm going north. I will be 59 yrs old. I probably can only get 4 weeks off work so I will go as far as I can.

[Nunki]

@gogogladys
Hi: What is your hiking background? What mileage do you plan to accomplish daily on the trail? Where are you from? Janet

[Beardoh]

Hi Nunki,

My wife , myself and a good friend will begin a northbound thruhike of the AZT in early March. Planning for right around the first. Maybe we will see you out there

I see we are neighbors. We are from NH, but in Mexico for the next few months before the AZT hike starts.

[DrZruda]

@Nunki

I will be heading out northbound on the last weekend of March. Wasn't really looking for a partner, but if the timing works out, I wouldn't mind a few passages with one.

[igellen]

I may be hiking it again this year (haven't committed yet). Other post is correct that you won't want to start at Utah; too much snow potentially, no services, etc. OTOH, too early a start in the south can be a problem, too; in the first passage one climbs to 9000 feet. If Arizona gets much snow this year, early March starters could lose the trail under snow. One more reason to carry a GPS (finding water sources is another). Watch the snow pack in southern California to get a guestimate for a good start date.
I'm an older hiker, done much of what you have done and more (more time to do it!). Maybe something will work out, especially for the beginning passages. FWIW, all the warnings about illegals in the southern passages is true, but I've never had a bad encounter down there; just need to be intelligent about where you camp, etc.
No Butt

[WhiskeyTaylor]

I will be starting the AZT on March 6th, northbound, at a rate of 17ish miles a day. If you are interested in a partner I would like some company. For some background info, I'm an avid outdoorsman, 27 years old, who spends at least 4 nights every month sleeping under the stars. I live in Tucson, Az and am hiking passage #11 for training at least once a month.

[blisterfree]

Watch the snow pack in southern California to get a guestimate for a good start date.

Arizona's southern ranges are conspicuously lacking in "Snotel" snow survey sites. One alternative, though, is the Mt Graham webcam network. Although Mt Graham (aka the Pinaleno Mountains) is not on the route of the Arizona Trail, this is the highest of the Sky Islands of which the AZT's Huachucas, Santa Ritas, Rincons, and Catalinas are also a part.

http://mgio.arizona.edu/webcams-weather

The first image shows the northeast face of the Pinalenos from the Gila Valley (Safford area). As elsewhere, this face tends to hold onto snow longer, and lower in elevation, so represents what you might find, snow conditions-wise, as you pass over a high point on the AZT and continue north. The summit of Mt Graham is ~10,700 ft, while the supporting ridges ("brown desert" in appearance) in the foreground are around 7k-8k. Compare all this to 9k-10k high points along the AZT in the region.

The second image - the control road - is near the base of the Mt Graham observatory at an elevation of around 10,000 feet. You can see the road, normally plowed, and snowbanks as well as a small pine sapling and a signboard, for reference.

Third image is hit or miss, but when the maintenance vehicles are out of the picture the striped post toward the right side of the frame becomes visible, marked (I believe) at one foot intervals for the specific purpose of "giving a general idea" of snowpack amounts. A Snotel survey it is not, though apparently the NWS in Tucson uses it to gauge snow amounts as well. Any port in a storm!

[Kmcmillen]

I'll be trying the AZT in March 2015. I will be watching the water/snow/temp reports to pick a final date. I have a local friend in AZ who will help with water caches. I am from San Diego, 63 yrs. old, and a strong hiker ( but have sore feet - finished the Pacific Crest trail 2 years ago). Looking forward to sharing some of the trail with other hikers.

[mscottwilliams90]

@nunki and everyone hiking the AZT March 2015

Hello, my name's Mike. I'm also looking for hiking partners. I'm 24, from Ohio, and this will be my first thru hike. I have a lot of backpacking experience and have been out for a week before but this is my first long distance trail. I'm mostly concerned with being alone for weeks. I'd much rather hike with someone. Let me know if you're interested. I want to start at the beginning of March and hike 15 - 20 miles each day. Message me on here and/or at mscottwilliams90@gmail.com. Happy Trails.

[Bob Lacourse]

@Nunki
Hi Nunki
My name is Bob. I live in Gilbert AZ, originally from N.H. 20 years ago.
I'm planning a early April thru hike Nobo on the AZT. I am a very experienced desert hiker and have done rim to rim day hikes in Grand Canyon many times. I'm going to do this hike as a training exercise for my PCT thru hike in May of 2016.
Let me know if you want to hook up.
Mt personal email is boblacourse@hotmail.com

[Kmcmillen]

@mscottwilliams90
Hi Scott-hope to see you out there. As things get closer, I will send a contact note. It would be great to start with a couple of people, and possibly coordinate rides/water caches.
Ken

[justgrif]

@Kmcmillen

I'm am planning this trek beginning late April. If u were leaving then I would be more than happy to accompany you!

[justgrif]

@Bob Lacourse

Can u push back to leave end of April. I am planning this trek as well

[justgrif]

@Nunki
I am planning to threw hike the AZ trail from South to North starting the end of April. Would this be possible for u?

[Bob Lacourse]

@justgrif
My schedule is very flexible. End of April is a possibility. I don't want to start to late though. As you know the heat starts rolling in around that time.
I think I have your email and phone #. Will be in touch.

[Sredfield]

Late April is going to get you to the desert when it's pretty warm, 100+ easily.