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Since the Pass Mountain Ridgeline Summary stated that someone scratched off the Not on the 'Warning this trail is not maintained' sign we took a magic marker up with us today and remarked the sign.

On a side note my wife found this hike very discouraging. She believes she is not a good hiker because she does not have good natural balance while hiking down (or even up) steep grades, or anything that does not give a solid foothold. Is there any advice or suggestions any of you would offer? I think she just needs to build up some experience to make her more confident, she seems to hike just fine to me. She is a bit tall if you haven't noticed from the photos and I think she may think her center of gravity is too high (although I'm taller and don't seem to have any problems) .

Matt Karls

Generally trekking poles should help. Do a search for more info.

However, they wouldn't be much help on that ridgeline.

Amen on the hiking poles.

Is this the Superstition Ridgeline?

Sredfield, I was asking about the Pass Mountain Ridgeline (I assume Teva was referring to it also).

I haven't used a hiking stick (pole) in a while, I always felt that they slowed me down. Up to now I really haven't had a big need for one. I don't know if that's just an incorrect perception or what, but I've talked to Jane about it and we'll see how she feels about the next hike we do down in Yuma over Thanksgiving (HAZ will have a new Yuma hike summary soon).

Matt Karls

Not that I have an incredible amount of experience, but...

I am hiking with a Siberian Huskie that likes to pull me, especially downhill. Once I got a set of poles (and am using only one of them) my stability increased quite a bit. And, *blushes* I dont worry about falling on a downhill slope as much so my confidence is greater as well... Poles definitely help, I want to try them on squaw peak and see by how much I can beat my old record...

Matt - What kind of shoes is Jane wearing?

Jane wears sandals and wool socks which she really likes over the hiking boots that blistered her feet continuously (*thanks Teva*).

Matt Karls

Magical moments on HAZ


aaahhhhhhhh

As I've gotten older (Shuddup GTG, Olesma & Kurthzone!) my sense of balance, which was never great, has gotten worse. I use one walking stick and find it very helpful, particularly on the downhills when I can plant it in front of me for added support.