Let me begin that I have not been backpacking before, my first trip is planned for the Sups over Thanksgiving. I have, however, lived and worked in the Sawtooth mountain range (ID) guiding backcountry rides. I know a lot about horses, not a lot about camping.
I have grand ideas of a thru-hike, however, being a full time high school teacher it just isn't possible. So, I have been planning to do a few sections at a time as breaks allow during school. I'm unfamiliar with the land south of Phoenix and I don't know how snow or water will factor in to the elevation changes.
Originally, I wanted to do a NOBO hike and start at the southern border this Dec. I am under the impression that snow will be a problem in the Huachuca mountains? Is this true?
If that's the case I would like to do sections 4-7 this December before the spring semester starts. Does anyone see a logistical problem with this? I am a member of the AZ trail and I'm excited to get the new guidebook coming out in December. I do not plan on carrying a GPS (too expensive), but if needed I will get one.
Snow would likely be a problem in the Huachucas in December. The trail hits 9000 feet in the Miller Peak Wilderness, so any precipitation in the area ends up as snow and it can stick around for quite a while.
Passages 4-7 (Patagonia to I-10) could be tricky in December since it goes through the Santa Ritas. The elevation is much lower than the Huachucas (I think the trail maxes out around 6500 feet or so), but snow could be an issue if there are any storms in the weeks preceding your hike. If you're used to the Sawtooths, the cold temps probably wouldn't be as big of an issue, but it gets cold enough that good gear would be a must.
Also, water could be interesting. After Kentucky Camp, it's pretty dry.
If there isnt' much snow, start at the border. Or one could start on the north end of the Huachucas near Sunnyside and work towards the Rincons. While it may be dry north of Kentucky Camp, it's easy to cache water along the way. The high point looks to be north of Patagonia below Mt Wrightson. You'd have to watch the weather closely in case of storms. Study the data book for water sources and plan to cache it if there are stretches that you are worried about. I recommend a the best filter you can afford, but plenty of people just treat it with chemicals.
Good luck! Keep us posted on your planning progress.
Shawn
The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.
AndrewAZ wrote:Passages 4-7 (Patagonia to I-10) could be tricky in December since it goes through the Santa Ritas
The cold weather I am prepared for, but I guess when you say "tricky" here what do you mean? If there is a lot of snow will it be impassable? Or just slow going? I'll be sure to check the weather frequently from now until then.
Thanks for the heads up regarding water supply after Kentucky Camp! I'm lucky to have a sig other who will either a)come with me and we will cache water for the 2 of us or b)will cache water for me along the way.
Sredfield wrote: I recommend a the best filter you can afford, but plenty of people just treat it with chemicals
Just bought a katadyn hiker pro a few weeks ago. Do you think this will work?
Are there any HAZ members who frequent the Huachucas or the Santa Ritas who I can get in contact with about conditions? Last thing I want to do is get myself into trouble in the mountains!
A couple of us were planning on doing 6-7 last weekend but we postponed it for a few reasons. There are a few guys that are section hiking. I plan on trail running some sections and day hiking others and may even backpack a few to knock off some logisitical issues. There are a few forrum threads here about section hiking and people looking for partners. I still need to do most of the southern sections 1- 12 and 14-16 and a little of 17 and 19. I'm looking to firm up my Dec. schedule soon. I would probably be available from 12/26 - 12/30 and most Fridays. So there are a few of us here, if you need partners. There are also people here that will help with car shuttles with enough notice and availabliity.
I have the kat hiker pro and like it, a gps is a very handy tool for the azt (but isn't required ;) ) maps and trail descriptions come in handy and that databook.
Snow can/will slow you down but it usually isn't a game changer if you are prepared for it.
As for filters, I have a Hiker Pro, and my only comment would be to make sure you are filtering clear water. Even slightly turbid water will clog the filter and make pumping very slow and difficult. And because it is not field-serviceable you may render the filter useless unless you have a new clean cartridge (~$40-$50). Note: technically the Hiker Pro is not only not field-serviceable, but it is not serviceable at all. But I have had some success prolonging the life of a cartridge with some unapproved techniques at home. Unfortunately, none of them would work with untreated water in the field.
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
My vote is for Platypus gravity filter...have an MSR pump and the more you use it, the more difficult it becomes to pump, yes I know you can back flush, but one trip of poor water clogs pretty good..only draw back of gravity filter is, you cant really do on the fly..but it is really nice.
Hopefully my filter will work! I tried to convince my boyfriend to get the platy gravity filter (I got to pick one for my birthday), but "those I.v. Bags don't look like they'll work". :roll:
Regardless, I'll bring tablets as well.
Should I be thinking about yaktrax to have just incase?
Snow not normally an issue along the AZT in the Santa Ritas, since the trail stays low. December is still early anyway, in terms of snowpack accumulation. As for water, north of Kentucky Camp is generally reliable Bowman Spring that I scouted a few years ago. It's never been reported dry. The Lake and/or Twin Tanks may have some water as well that you can treat, and there will probably be water at Davidson Canyon / Cienega Creek. Good rainstorm a few days ago might bode well for an average winter's moisture on tap, though it's obviously still early. Ah, the hypotheticals. Best bet is to go! Thankfully most trails are bi-directional and have a reverse switch that one can throw as needed.
Camping: You'll probably want something like a 10 degree sleeping bag for camping up high, in the event that that's necessary now and then, which it could be in the Huachucas in particular. You wouldn't, however, need a 4-season tent, because this isn't winter mountaineering in Washington state. In the odd event that that's what's brewing, you'll likely get word of it before your hike and could reschedule or change the itinerary. TarpTent offers a range of lightweight 3-season tents that would be suitable for winter backpacking in Arizona. Sleeping pad could be a Thermarest inflatable or equivalent. I like a lightweight foam pad underneath, to help avoid punctures from spines and pine needles. There - you're camping already! Or well on your way...
As for water, north of Kentucky Camp is generally reliable Bowman Spring that I scouted a few years ago.
Thanks for the tip about the Bowman spring. I really need to sit down with my maps and look carefully at these sections so I know what you'er talking about! I really do appreciate the encouragement, the BF is extremely reluctant for me to do this. Apparently backpacking for a few nights qualifies as a "professional level hike". I don't quite know how to refute this. Maybe it is an I'm just very naive and ignorant. Regardless it's nice to hear for all you folk here on HAZ. I still cannot believe how welcoming and helpful y'all are.
You'll probably want something like a 10 degree sleeping bag for camping up high, in the event that that's necessary now and then, which it could be in the Huachucas in particular.
A 10 degree bag huh? I have a 20 and I was just planning to layer like crazy, but I guess I won't really know until the time draws closer. Then again Enlightened Equipment is having a sale right now... I have the BA Insulated Aircore pad which hopefully help with this a little, it was pretty toasty during 25 degree nights in Payson. I would love to get a Tarptent tent, but sadly, financially, it's just not in the cards. I have a the REI bug hut and a tarp which will just have to do for the time being. I haven't used this set up extensively yet, but I think it'll be adequate.
bsiehr wrote: I really need to sit down with my maps and look carefully at these sections
ABSOLUTELY! This is half the fun of the hike, studying the maps and data book and creating the plan. I went so far as to build a spread sheet listing each day with distances, water and other features noted. Of course once you are hiking this plan is only a suggestion, but it does help to be as familiar with the maps and data as possible.
The ATA has topo maps that include much of what is in the data book, another great feature.
Shawn
The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.
it appears that the Katadyn hiker pro is a proven and trail tested quality item. there is a membrane that wraps around the paper filter to help prolong the life.. one filter, if used correctly should get you across the entire AZT. read this review: http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacki ... -Hiker-Pro
keep in mind, if the filter freezes and there is a good chance it could, use micropur CLO2 purifying tablets as a backup.
i have also seen the replacement cartridge for as little as $35 on sale.
Blisterfree has an excellent suggestion about TarpTent. the single Rainbow is imho the choice for solo hikers. You should also, when $$ permits, look into Zpacks and Six Moon designs shelters. the idea here is to go light, and hike happy.
consider the use of an Esbit stove, over hikes longer than 7 days, they become the lightest option for fueled stoves. of course, wood burners like this one: http://www.fireboxstove.com/3-inch-folding-firebox-nanoI have only used mine 3 times.. but wow! i should have done this years ago.
a GPS is nice, i suppose, but keep in mind that humans have been roamin' around for 150,000 years without them.
and btw, as a cottage gear nerd myself i am slightly impressed that you have heard of Enlightened Equip. Tim makes some great stuffs. kudos! and happy hiking.
A 10 degree bag huh? I have a 20 and I was just planning to layer like crazy, but I guess I won't really know until the time draws closer.
Western Mountaineering makes a nice thermal-reflective VBL called a HotSac that would help to lower the effective temperature rating of your existing sleeping bag. It's overpriced, to be sure, but is reusable and washable, and has a nicer feel than a cheap mylar space bag, though the principle is the same: to reflect body heat and trap insensible perspiration so it doesn't cool the body via evaporation (or compromise the sleeping bag's insulation through wetting and freezing). I find a VBL makes a world of difference when camping in below freezing conditions - it really helps to keep the extremities (toes!) warm when nothing else will. The key is that the material not be breathable - it has to trap moisture to be effective. The VBL goes inside the sleeping bag, and the occupant then wriggles into the VBL wearing light base layers. A down jacket or other clothing could then be draped around the torso between the VBL and sleeping bag, as needed for additional warmth. Toasty!
or, a silk sleeping bag liner. claims of 8 degree temp boost is made by the finer manufacturers. i used one a couple times, back in the day when sleeping bag ratings were so subjective, many companies "stretched the truth" as to temp claims. Western Mountaineering is known by it's fans to be one outfit that underestimates their products, if anything. one of the best moves i ever made in the evolution of progress, was to switch to quilts. look into it, im tellin you.
I have a 15 degree bag, a Marmot Helium. I try to make sure my sleeping clothes are kept separate and dry. I usually bathe in the afternoon to remove salty sweat, (which can contribute to being cold). Nevertheless, I am cold in that bag at any temperature below about 40 degrees, and in fact, have been cold in it at 50 degrees. I used to be able to sleep tentless, and would sometimes wake up with frost on the outside of the bag, and be perfectly warm, but I can't do that any more. I am not sure if it is age or what. I now avoid camping when it's going to be cold at night, which is not something I used to try to avoid a lot.
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
Maybe see whether your Helium has continuous baffle construction. I used an older 30 deg Hydrogen for years (the black model) and loved the way you can shift the down from bottom to top on colder nights, and vice-versa for warmer conditions. Alas, the newer Marmot bags all feature non-continuous construction from what I've seen. Another plus-one for Western Mountaineering in this regard, for keeping the old, tried-and-true traditions alive.
Look into VBL's too. I can't emphasize enough how helpful this approach has been in staying warm throughout a cold night. I can even slip into my sleep system with cold feet just emerged from wet shoes and find them warming nicely within a few minutes. Sans-VBL, I could've spent the entire night nursing those digits with all manner of head-to-toe layering, to no avail.
Route Editor
Route Scout
I tried to convince my boyfriend to get the platy gravity filter (I got to pick one for my birthday), but "those I.v. Bags don't look like they'll work". :roll: 
I have the BA Insulated Aircore pad which hopefully help with this a little, it was pretty toasty during 25 degree nights in Payson. I would love to get a Tarptent tent, but sadly, financially, it's just not in the cards. I have a the REI bug hut and a tarp which will just have to do for the time being. I haven't used this set up extensively yet, but I think it'll be adequate.
