How Late is Too Late to Start a SOBO AZT Thru?

[Norikiyo]

First post on here. Hello!

The way things are looking I will have two months to hike in the fall. Ideally mid October will be my start date. However, I may not be able to get out there until early November. Is starting a SOBO thru of the AZT too late in the season? I hope not! Please share experiences and thoughts. Definitely thank you.

[sandyfortner]

Well, you're dealing with weather - so anything goes. But, you will hit some COLD weather and snow - but who knows how much - anywhere from Jacob's Lake through the Supes. Less likely to have accumulation once you're south of 4 Peaks. Supes may well get some snow in Dec. but chances are it won't be a big accumulation - or it could be absolutely balmy! Once off Montana Mountain, you should have perfect weather til you head up into the Santa Catalinas. There you may get snow and definitely COLD. You'll drop down into beautiful weather, then into the Rincons - snow and cold. Out and a nice long stretch of beautiful weather til Temporal Gulch. By the time you get to Miller, if it's the end of Dec. you could have some accumulation. On the AZT site, under Trail Resources, you can find Thru Hikers. That will give you numbers to call for current conditions in a few areas, plus you can look at each passage and get current conditions. NOAA may have some historical weather patterns for various areas also. This past year we received a good snow that accumulated early on, but then nothing to speak of during "traditional" winter. Crazy weather!

[Norikiyo]

Thank you for the detailed response. Appreciate it.

So basically, of course, the weather is unpredictable. But, it will likely be a switch off between nice/moderate to cold/possibly snowy along the way. Overall, a thru is totally doable assuming there isn't a blizzard. Just be ready for some low temps.

I feel like a 10-degree sleeping bag, a quality light hooded down jacket (3 oz of fill), fleece, merino wool base layer, and wind jacket with pants should be a good system for this kind of various weather. Correct me if I am wrong. I lack mountain experience.

[sandyfortner]

I'd consider crampons also - just in case of accumulation on the mountains. There's times that you are going along the side of a steep slope, or going up a steep slope, or, with down a STEEP slope heading to Romero Pass!

[Norikiyo]

@sandyfortner

Well that is just dang good advice right there. Thank you

[Sredfield]

I shared this question with a long time local near there and he suggested crampon or yax trax type foot accessories for Mt Lemon and Rincons. He also thought an axe may be a good idea for short spots in certain snow conditions.

[Norikiyo]

I shared this question with a long time local near there and he suggested crampon or yax trax type foot accessories for Mt Lemon and Rincons. He also thought an axe may be a good idea for short spots in certain snow conditions.

Cool. Thank you. I'll be aware and plan for acquiring this gear before I hit the southern passages.

[Norikiyo]

I have a follow up question that I might make a separate thread for... and I am contacting others about the matter... but, how dry will the water sources be in October and November?

[joebartels]

@TheRhinoRoams
check out http://hikearizona.com/dex2/viewtopic.php?t=9694

[Norikiyo]

Thank you. Thank you.

[lorna]

@sandyfortner
Microspikes are the most wonderful invention ever. Check out the REI website.

[Boogata]

@TheRhinoRoams

Hey buddy, maybe see you out there. Decided nows the time to finish the top half of the trail from utah to the mogollon rim. I should be hitting thee trailhead this weekend (oct 21). Ill be coming in from the Vegas side, you still thinking of starting in November?

[Norikiyo]

@TheRhinoRoams

Hey buddy, maybe see you out there. Decided nows the time to finish the top half of the trail from utah to the mogollon rim. I should be hitting thee trailhead this weekend (oct 21). Ill be coming in from the Vegas side, you still thinking of starting in November?

That is exactly when it is looking like. I am concerned though if that is too late. Has there been any snow yet?

[Boogata]

@TheRhinoRoams

Ive heard its been nice as of late and the extended forecast looks good. Im not sure how long it will last. Just hoping to make it through the high country and canyon before it has the chance to snow. Im only going to Pine though, not sure what the Southern ranges will be like in November or december.

[Norikiyo]

@TheRhinoRoams

Ive heard its been nice as of late and the extended forecast looks good. Im not sure how long it will last. Just hoping to make it through the high country and canyon before it has the chance to snow. Im only going to Pine though, not sure what the Southern ranges will be like in November or december.

Great. Thank you. Feel free give updates of anything along the way.

[garyc57]

not sure what the Southern ranges will be like in November or december.

Last year, my son and I hiked Section 15 - Tortilla Mountains on the Thanksgiving Day weekend, and I like-to-near froze my bippy off. The days were bright and sunny but the overnight temp was 26 degrees. Brrrrr!!!