HikeArizona.COM

How are things progressing this year? In keeping with the idea that you are only as good as the numbers you post, I'm up to 61,436' of elevation for the year and a modest 132 miles.

Added August 2019: Looking back 10 years later, I honestly can't think of anything more offensive or unhealthy to say about one's hiking, than the above statement. Thats was my OP in 2009. Hiking should never just be about the stats recorded.

January 31, 2023: Have at it.

@SuperstitionGuy

My Dad is 82 and in Hospice, so I got him a portable Fire Ring for the Patio so he can still enjoy a Campfire every once in awhile! He still manages to Self Propel around the House and for about a couple of hundred feet a day in the 'hood...We just don't let him answer the phone anymore or Installers start showing up....

15 AEG millionaires

jlp should cruise into 800k for the year

if jj3 continues trending month to month at the same rate...
1 million AEG for 2013 is within his reach

I see John made 800,000', and he did it spot on, not +1 foot. Did he do that intentionally, or did it just work out that way? Will he hike once more this year, or his he hanging up his robes? Does he or anyone else have big plans for next year? Speech, Speech!

Jim_H wrote: Does he or anyone else have big plans for next year? Speech, Speech!

Plans are easy... it will be plants that matter... foot plants... lots of them!

He did good!!

How do you keep your feet and ankles in working order for so long, John? You must tell me your secret.

He ditched his old style boots and went minimal in his Merrell Barefoot trail shoes and got out of the horribly rigid concrete boots that so many of you hike in. Ankles, knees, hips, and back, all flexible and moving naturally, and he strengthened them up with lots of hiking. Well, I hope. It's a common fallacy that you need to support your ankle, so being barefoot or in a sandle that only protects your foot's sole from puncture and rough terrain is the most you need, if you want that. Liz's son did Elden completely barefoot, and ran down hill!

As far as plans go, mike does this mean you are reconsidering your 2013 goal? I basically meant, are there any other top contenders with lofty goals for next year? JJ3, perhaps?

Jim_H wrote: mike does this mean you are reconsidering your 2013 goal?

I hope to start the year off walking up the mountain... daily. I'll work on the trail and log some miles. If it feels good, I might dedicate the year to that priority. I've got some hiking planned over in Hawaii in the Spring.. but other than that, I could see checking out what 100,000' months feel like... it has been a few years since I hit that mark.... and, there is always that 200,000' month to try to log! A year is a long time... lots can happen. I wonder what it means to be kicking off the year in wet, murky weather?!

@Jim
I would be afraid of the shoe getting punctured - especially by cholla.

I feel your pain. Or did.

Exactly!

@Patrick L
I have pulled a few cacti out on occasion, but have yet to puncture anything wearing fivefingers that has created lasting damage. I don't know if it's luck or foot placement as I have put a lot of miles on minimalist shoes over the last 3+ years. I agree with Jim in so far as I have had no major injuries during that time although I had a calf that gave me some issues running for awhile, but didn't give me problems hiking or walking, but it only seemed to happen on treadmills. I don't think John (lp) wears minimalist shoes at least he didn't last time we hiked.

I believe he doesn't either, I recall him in running shoes when I hiked with him. I was just getting at the old ankles need support fallacy, as though such a thing was ever around before modern boots wear born.

I think my puncture actually stemmed from the shoe holding the stick in, rather than it simply being able to pass through the section of sole that did not have a tough vibram layer. I think, if actually barefoot or in 5 fingers, I might not have had as bad a puncture. I actually stepped on the stick twice, and think the shoe held it in place when it would have fallen out otherwise. It is still healing, and I feel it sometimes. I may buy some huahaca sandles for spring. I would probably want about 5 or 6 mm of vibram and then go sock-less on hikes to toughen up.

I thought the puncture happened in 5 Fingers. That's a tad ironic. It was during the summer, correct? It looks like you've gotten a good amount of miles in since then.

Tomorrow, I'll pass my 2011 mileage of 404. Where it stops for sure, I don't know, but I'm looking at another 15+ miles. Really hoping for that 20+.

My theory is that when I'm hiking in sandals, my unconscious mind plays a bigger role in where I step so I very seldom get poked by spikes or thorns.

Although I continue to wear Teva's for on-trail hikes, when I'm in doing serious off-trail through vicious terrain (like many of my peak hikes are getting to be) I wear high-top Danner leather boots, not for support as much as to keep stuff out. I hate fox-tails! :tt:

Of course when I'm wearing them, I'm much more likely to step into something thorny, partly due to the amount of thorny stuff there is to step in, but I'm sure most of that stuff is inconsequential when I have the boots on so I pay less attention to where I step than when wearing Teva's. Besides, when I'm hiking cross-country, I'm paying more attention to my anticipated route than where the next single step will be.

I never was one for hiking in high-top boots and I'm still partial to Teva's, but I do love the Danners for excellent grip as well as protection against the thorny stuff. Who knows, maybe they could protect from a rattler strike? I don't think I'll ever find out, as I always seem to step over the rattlers before they get all hot and bothered. :whistle:

I have worn Tevas for hiking from time to time, and have to say it's usually not too bad. You do make yourself more aware so as not to stub a toe.

I still call them "Teevas" even though I know the correct pronunciation is "Tehvas."

azbackpackr wrote:I still call them "Teevas" even though I know the correct pronunciation is "Tehvas."

Teeva Joe always gets mad at me for pronouncing it that way. That's why I continue to do it.

@coanbru
Kinda like Physical Cliff right?

Like this?
http://i.qkme.me/3rp8gx.jpg

@paulhubbard
Nope.... If it was up to him, there'd be a solution. He had an answer for everything....

azbackpackr wrote:I still call them "Teevas" even though I know the correct pronunciation is "Tehvas."

Same here... probably from my days of being hammered with 'Proper British pronunciation rules'.

If it were an English word it should be teeva.
Now I haven't found a definitive answer but it appears to be derived from a Native American word??
I know of a Teva commune in Israel, which would be pronounced tehva.

But like you, Tracey and I still call them Teevas.