I was hoping to put together a little appreciation piece for all the members that contributed in '09. So I started off on my Alta hike last week with this thought of doing a tibber mode thing... one photo for each member that participated. Oh it was a grand idea I tell you. I had some twigs to mimic Preston Sands, a funky mask for SuperstitionGuy, a blurred photo with an orange streak for WallyFarak, the list goes on and on and... well it was starting to give me headache. I don't have an exact number but somewhere around FOUR HUNDRED members contributed in '09. To make a long story short what started off as a fun little slide show would have taken over a year to produce...lol
A big thanks to everybody will have to suffice!
I'm forgetting some of the "Best of" things I wanted to post but figured I'd post up and perhaps others can share too. I know I'll start remembering others right after I go to bed tonight...
nonot has created an incredible selection of Technical Canyoneering trips
AZLOT69 will keep me busy if I ever decide to head out of state to the Northwest!
Just a slew of better triplogs coming in from the Tucson region this year. Back in the day there was only a handful of Tucson members.
Guess who tops the PixelMASTER '09 list... I don't want to jinx it with only one day left, but she clicked her little heart out this year.
:thanx: for a great year to all!
What hikes, trips, photos, etc impressed/inspired you this year?
I would also like to thank rlrjamy for keeping it real. Proving not everything gets better with age by posting a hike with 26 spelling mistakes... kid you not!
Best of 2009: Joe running HikeArizona.com for free for the masses! Thanks Joe!
I like how sometimes our group feeds off each other. I know that a few of the trips to WCC: Skatchin's and toddak's in particular, inspired me to head down there and I ended up spending most of my summer and fall in the area. Not that I minded
I think alot of journies I shared w/Hank above the rim were inspired by Kurt's triplog of Dane Canyon.
Photos of the grand canyon inspired me to make my first foray into the big ditch.
I think 2010 may explode with some of the climbing enhancements, I know that we are starting to get some climbers on the site and I can't wait for them to have the ability to contribute their knowledge.
Thanks to all the contributors out there, I know there are alot of lurkers as well but I really appreciate seeing everyone's triplogs, photos, and GPS routes.
Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, ankle-twisting, HAZmaster crushing ROCKS!!
Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, shin-stabbing, skin-shredding plants!
Hike Arizona it is full of striking, biting, stabbing, venomous wildlife!
-Joel taking photography way past the next level. That guy is going places.
-Nick returning from his injury (we're pulling for you in 2010, MacE)
-Keeping up with Joe, Bob, and the rest of you characters as the Four Peaks Mother Load was repeatedly manhandled.
-Jim's Sedona climbing adventures (I was lucky enough to join him on one).
-The continued expansion of HAZ beyond the state of Arizona.
In response to nonot:
I can't wait for the climbers and their knowledge either! Every place I have gone hiking I have stopped for a little bouldering and free climbing. Hiking becomes even more fun when you get up close and personal with the rocks
seeing all the motherlode hikes done this year has got me restless to try this one day. I have a view of Four Peaks from my office, so this one would be particularly meaningful for me.
I personally had one of my best years hiking, definitely the best since I became a father. Did almost 400 miles (390 and change, good enough considering I turned 40 this year). Doing those hikes in Serbia and then 3 weeks later hiking the Grand Canyon and sitting at the shore of the Colorado was also particularly meaningful. Spending the final 48 hours of my 30's hiking 33+ miles in the Grand Canyon was also a personal highlight. Soap Creek Canyon helped to allay my reprehensions about canyoneering, which I may be more open to in the coming years.
Also had a great year in terms of meeting more HAZ members and doing a hike or two for a second time with them. Looking forward to more of that this year.
What a great year, indeed. This site has definitely helped me to not only see more of this amazing place we live in, but to enjoy myself more when I'm out on the trail. I want to give a special shout out to all of you who've thrown Wendys on your hikes - especially those who've photodocumented the celebration! To once again bring out an over-used slogan, life IS good.
----------------------------------- Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.- Barack Obama
The 4 Peaks Motherlode triplogs were exciting reads (lots of classic sphincter-clench inducing photos, too!). Joel turning out digital gold (you're ready to humble AZ Highways, man). Watching Angela blossom into a backpacker and trailmaster. Some great hikes with Nick and Joe, along with our unforgetable White Mountains adventure (and Joe's 2-way radio chatter ). Jake's and Jim's Flagstaff area adventures and peak bags. Meeting Randal and Hank, and then hiking with them to a cliff dwelling. Hiking with my brother in the Grand Canyon, and to the summit of Red Mountain #3 in Colorado (my favorite memories from last year). Too many other things to mention, as well.
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
I like your initial idea, Joe. How about each member who wants to participate can submit one picture from 2009, and they all get put into a slide show?
Route Editor
Route Scout
). Jake's and Jim's Flagstaff area adventures and peak bags. Meeting Randal and Hank, and then hiking with them to a cliff dwelling. Hiking with my brother in the Grand Canyon, and to the summit of Red Mountain #3 in Colorado (my favorite memories from last year). Too many other things to mention, as well.
Hike Arizona... 
.... gotta get back up there this spring! 