Class of 2013 North Bound

[pops c]

Class of 2013; let’s start a discussion…

Trail Name:
Estimated Start Date:
Additional information:

Pops C.
01-15.March, (Depending on snow in the mountains)

Additional information:
To quote Ice-axe, “Train, lose body weight, lose pack weight.”

pops c

[blisterfree]

One thing thru-hiking the Arizona Trail tends to do is to free one of his or her preconceptions about long-distance hiking. You won't get your way all the time, so go with the flow, try to stay positive, and find an ally or two in those who have gone before you. To mix some well worn cliches, choose your battles wisely and don't sweat the small stuff.

[Loup]

Scooping and drinking Arizona water will result in squating and very frequently.
Purchase and get familiar with a good filter now!

Good point, lol! Yeah, the presence of livestock generally requires treatment of some form. When treatment is required, my preferred approach is Aqua Mira as it is light, works very well, and I don't generally fuss much about a few floaties!

My inquiry about potentially purchasing a filter was really intended as a question about whether the water sources are sometimes too shallow to scoop out a litre at a time. In the past, on dry-ish ridges, I've resorted to using a ziploc to pickup water in very shallow trickles, but it was a fair hassle. I don't really want to horse around with ziplocs on a regular basis, and wonder whether a pump/filter is of value in AZ for that reason. Otherwise, if the water is generally scoopable, I'll just do my usual thing of chemically treating it (when required).

The other question that I have for hikers who are have experience in AZ, is whether an umbrella (parasol?) is worthwhile. I've seen a couple of people using them in Colorado and in Europe, but I wonder whether the shade provided is a drastic improvement over a hat, and what kind of hassle-level is involved with an umbrella.

[te_wa]

i may be in the ring for a NOBO trip next spring. we shall see...

[Sredfield]

Scooping and drinking Arizona water will result in squating and very frequently.
Purchase and get familiar with a good filter now!

My inquiry about potentially purchasing a filter was really intended as a question about whether the water sources are sometimes too shallow to scoop out a litre at a time.

Sometimes but not often, I was almost always able to filter with a First Need Deluxe.

[blisterfree]

I've always used Aqua Mira on the AZT and never been sick. This includes treating the occasional nasty cow water. (I used to get sick reliably on other long trails when using only a filter or iodine.) Collecting water from shallow sources usually just means having a rigid scoop with a wide mouth, such as a Gatorade bottle or cookpot. Pour incrementally into another bottle and then treat, or pour it through a bandana first to filter out any dirt, gravel, bugs, etc.

Some hikers swear by umbrellas, while others end up swearing at them. It's a matter of style. In terms of avoiding the sun and UV issues, I think everyone would agree they're cooler than covering up with clothing. But as for how cool, some would say that brolly shade isn't as good as, for instance, sitting in the shade of a leafy cottonwood tree (because the tree shade is large and fixed, giving the ground time to cool off, while the umbrella shade is small and on the move). If you usually hike with two trekking poles, then carrying an umbrella means tweaking your routine to either stow one pole at the expense of packweight or finding some way to attach the umbrella to your pack, at the expense of mobility.

Personally I like an umbrella for the rain, but you won't have enough of that on the Arizona Trail to make it worth your while.

[te_wa]

try to place two of these one one shoulder strap... requires 3/4" webbing (which is common) running down shoulder.

fwiw, the montbell brolly fits perfect and snug into this clip.

http://www.rei.com/product/610510/camelbak-tube-trap

[Loup]

Thanks blisterfree,

That's quite helpful. I'm not new to long distance hiking, and I'm not new to dry-ish hiking, but I think I might be new to Arizona-dry hiking. The water thing is, of course, the biggest issue, so I am happy to see your observations about Aqua Mira. I'd love to skip the pump and just use the chemical treatment next spring.

You have also confirmed my bias against umbrellas (parasols), so that's very helpful too. I am very much leaning towards a good hat, with no umbrella.

Any advice about creepy crawlies? I have seen on some trail journals that some people have cowboy camped for much of their hike...I've hiked with bears, I've hiked with mountain lions, I've free climbed crazy cliffs off of nasty steep glaciers, but I've never dealt with venomous snakes or scorpions. Is a tent a must? Or is a small tarp a reasonable approach with the expectation that cowboy camping will be the primary technique?

Sorry for the elementary questions, but with only semi-arid hiking experience, I really want to tap into the experience of people who've done it before in a more arid environment.

[outdoor_lover]

Definitely wouldn't discount the Rattlesnakes in March. They were coming out in January this year....http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=234689 But with that being said, it's personal preference...If you don't mind the risk of a Scorpion scuttling across you while you sleep, then Cowboy Camping is fine, but if you do, then a Tent would be the better choice. In the colder areas of the State, in March, it's about temperature, not Creepy Crawlies....But in the lower Desert areas, if the temps have warmed up enough, they will be out, at least during the day, but possibly not so much at night yet, as it may still be too cool...Hard to say what the weather will be like 'til you get close, and that will dictate what's out and about and what's not....

[JessyJ]

I would think a tent or hammock would be the best idea on the AZT. While a scorpion bite isn't fatal most of the time if you get bit by the WRONG kind it will send you to the hospital in a hurry and thus end your attempt.

Class of 2013... If anyone would like me to drop some water near the Tucson area I would be happy to drop some gallons trail-side. I know out of staters could use this cashe. Feel free to message me here and we can arrange something. Likely drop points for me are near Colossal Cave area or the Gabe Zimmerman TH (Passage "8") and possibly Molino Basin (Passage 10). Just give me an idea when you will be there and I can make sure water is waiting. I will also pick back up the bottles so they aren't left out (don't want to litter).

Wish you all the best
Jessy

[blisterfree]

Starting in March rattlers will be the exception rather than the rule probably until you leave Oracle bound for Superior. And then in the Supes you'll probably see a couple or so per day, before the likelihood trails off again approaching the Mogollon Rim. Nothing to worry about at night. With scorpions it's mostly just psychological warfare and perpetuated stories, but you can reduce the odds of an encounter by camping away from uber rocky areas and washes. Remember that none of these critters wishes to pursue and bite a sleeping human, if they're even active at night at all (below 50F likely not).

The need for water caches on the AZT is overblown in many cases. For instance there's water in Cienega Creek near the Gabe Zimmerman TH, developed water at La Posta Quemada / Colossal Cave / La Selvilla, and often a creeklet at Molino CG in addition to a camp host. However, Hope Camp area in Saguaro NP would be a good spot for a permanent cache box or well renovation at the windmill there, as Rincon Creek is very sporadic and the drainages along the new Quilter Tr on up to Grass Shack, while a good bet a lot of the time, aren't all that well vetted yet.

[autumnstars]

Having spent the last 10 years sleeping at minimum 100 nights per year on the ground in the Mojave Desert, I have never been bitten by anything worse than an ant (lesson learned - check carefully for ant mounds before placing your tarp). Nor have any of the numerous interns that have ever been with me. My glasses were stolen one night by a pack rat, but that is neither here nor there ;)

Here's the key - snakes and scorpions are not interested in you. You are not small enough to eat but are large enough to injure or kill them. Still, don't make yourself a target by placing your hands or feet where you cannot see, especially under or between rocks - this is a good way to get nailed by a scorpion, snake, or black widow.

Most importantly, have a great time!
Wish I had the time to though-hike anything, let alone something as fabulous as the AZT.

[joebartels]

The only person I know that has been stung overnight by a scorpion was Outdoor Lover in her tent.

I've gone tentless more and more over the years. Unless you enjoy lugging weight a good water resistant bag and a sheet of tyvek will keep you dry in a pinch. Easier for midnight pit stops too.

The umbrella has proven helpful in summer heat. It seemed to backfire once on an August 1st sprint series over Azt 11 & 12. I Chrome Domed 8 out of the 12 hours. The disadvantage was the humidity was so high and lack of breeze kept sweat dripping off my finger tips the majority of the hike due to the umbrella stopping evaporation. However the next day I didn't feel beat which I attribute to the lack of sun exposure.

[JessyJ]

ACK, if you're going to drink out of Cienega Creek def have a filter. I was there on that section of the AZT last March or so and the water was nasty. GOod in a pinch I guess but if you can hold off until Colossal Cave the water source would be MUCH better.

[outdoor_lover]

The only person I know that has been stung overnight by a scorpion was Outdoor Lover in her tent.

I'm actually thinking about investing in a good Bivy instead of a Tent....Faster exit time and a whole lot less to empty out to find that unwanted guest....

[sirena]

I adore my Chrome Dome. Started using it when I hiked the AZT and use it for a majority of my hikes. Sometimes attached to my pack, sometimes hand-carried. Works great for rain too. I cowboy camp all the time, there's nothing like sleeping under the stars!

[beterarcher]

@Outdoor Lover I feel for ya, I got stung by a Bark Scorpion at the Salt River when I was about 7 yrs old. A LOT of pain but no other complications, except the blue line running up my left arm! I was OK by morning.

[JessyJ]

The only person I know that has been stung overnight by a scorpion was Outdoor Lover in her tent.

I'm actually thinking about investing in a good Bivy instead of a Tent....Faster exit time and a whole lot less to empty out to find that unwanted guest....

I love the idea of a bivy but they seem so crazy expensive. Mostly it's just a bunch of netting and could probably be easily made yourself. Bivy would def keep those scorpions away and other critters while still getting to sleep under the stars

[azbackpackr]

Tentless is fine. Tents are good when you have wind-driven rain, and/or loads of mosquitoes. Most desert rats don't sleep in tents. I recently spent 24 days rowing the river through Grand Canyon. I set up a tent three times due to cold, windy and rainy conditions, but even then a tarp would have sufficed. I have been backpacking in the deserts of the Southwest for over 40 years, and I never use a tent unless it's raining. I love the stars at night!

I have one of those Golite umbrellas I got for free--trail booty. I found it while backpacking Pt. Huitzil/Royal Arch/Tonto/S. Bass in Grand Canyon, about a year ago. I used it while hiking the Tonto on that trip, since it was about 95 degrees that day. I guess it was kind of helpful, but for the most part I didn't like it. I like having my two poles. And even with two poles, then my hands aren't free to grab my pocket camera. It just seemed like such a juggling act, with the umbrella, one pole, and the camera. I wouldn't care to use the umbrella again unless it is really, really hot and sunny.

[Tough_Boots]

trail booty

whoah! I use that term for something totally different

[azbackpackr]

trail booty

whoah! I use that term for something totally different

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