Is SOBO 2020 Still Viable???

[Four_Arrows]

Our group of three is preparing (hoping) to go SOBO in late September. Clearly, the trail closures, hottest temps on record in Arizona, combined with the lowest rainfall on record, and road/forest closures are presenting substantial obstacles. With respect to the ATA's discouragement of thru-hike attempts for the remainder of 2020, I'm reaching out to those of you who know the trail... In light of the current conditions and closures, how viable is an AZT SOBO thru-hike accessing alternate routes around closed areas?

Note: We do have a substantial team available to support us, including caching supplies, meetups, etc. Resupply boxes were never in our plan due to the amount of auxiliary team support we can receive. If there is access, we do have a great "pit crew" to aid in our journey... but access does appear to be a big issue, too.

The Guthooks app seems to track the official trail. Is anyone aware of a source for alternate routes whenever closures exist?

Finally, with so few people reporting on water on sections of the trail, what is the BEST real-time source for water source conditions? Links are appreciated.

Thank you, tramily!
Four Arrows

[joebartels]

@Four_Arrows
If you're an experienced avid-backpacker with a support team, the passages are short enough to make do with little on-trail water.

https://aztwaterreport.org/ ?

Others undoubtedly know the dynamics of the current situation better than me, but I wouldn't hesitate.

[nonot]

I mean- if you have a support crew- plan to hike the sections that are open, get shuttled to bypass the sections that are closed, and get resupplied when needed. I wouldn't call that a thru-hike, but you could seem to hike the majority of the trail.

I know of no way to "bypass" the closures via hiking trails. If you are willing to walk dozens, if not two hundred+ miles of trails combined with unpaved roads to bypass the closures - maybe, but that would require a lot of research.