Looking for a couple of hearty volunteers...

[writelots]

Sometimes my new job as the Volunteer Coordinator for the AZT is a cakewalk. I mean, really, who doesn't want to help build sexy new trail or whack back evil catclaw on their favorite tread? Hikers are an awesome group of folks to work with, and I love the response I get (particularly HAZ hikers!)

However, sometimes I get a call for help that takes a special finesse - a particular brand of crazy that may be harder to find. Then I really have to put on my thinking cap, head over to the hard-core campground and get some folks who really have the kind of equipment, nerve and skill to pull off something truly adventurous. So here I am - amid the biggest collection of mad caps in the state (or arguably anywhere), hat in hand.

This time, I'm trying to find some folks to help with a task that involves 4wd, a trailer, trail running and man-handling big heavy things. Okay, maybe not so heavy...but big. Out in the middle of nowhere. Onto a trailer. These "things" are crucial to keeping this particular run's course clean, sanitary and low-impact. Somebody's got to handle it.

Come on - isn't someone here ready to take a little pumpkin for the AZT????

Date: September 26
Location: Historic Moqui Stage Line between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon
What: Delivery and pick up of port-o-potties

If you're dying to try, let me know: volunteer@aztrail.org.

[blisterfree]

She hath spilled much ink to ensure the trail shall not stink. Now summon among ye a few to deliver a loo, then to bring it straight back from the brink.

[Bob Lacourse]

Not sure if this forum is the correct one I need to post this on, but this problem needs to be fixed ASAP.

The trail between Payson and Rt 87 is a absolute mess, and in bad need of maintenance. A good 6 mile section of trail is completely overgrown to the point where you can no longer see the trail. Walking through the thorns is a nightmare.

Please try to get trail workers out there ASAP to clean this up, before the trail disappears completely.
Also a section south of LF Ranch is in bad need of repairs.

Goliath

[rcorfman]

A lot of Passage 3, Canelo Hills West is disappearing too. I found it much worse than the Mazatzals were for me last spring. Hiking was very slow as I was constantly losing the trail. I'm not sure I would have made it out if I didn't have my GPSr with the trail tracks to help navigate. The catclaw shredded my legs and I had to empty my shoes of the grass pokey things several times, even with gaiters. It was a long trying day but at least there was lots of water throughout.

On a positive note, about a mile of trail was recently brushed heading north towards Down Under Tank.

[Sredfield]

Bob,
ATA is aware of the section south of LF Ranch, I believe it is due for a youth crew this winter.

But the AZT does not go to Payson, do you mean Pine? Some more specific location of the 6 miles would help. And this link goes directly to the ATA. http://www.aztrail.org/trailconditions_notify.html

Thanks

[FOTG]

@Bob Lacourse

Would you like a sidewalk and some hand rails put in as well? :-({|= Its the AZ "trail" not the AZ highway :roll:

Let me guess that 30 mile a day pace was a little tougher to maintain than you thought through stretches like the Mazzies? If it was all smooth trails mixed with stretches of FR, what fun would that be? I don't think those trails are anywhere near "disappearing." Maybe more rugged in spots, but heavy treads and for most still relatively easy to follow..

[Bob Lacourse]

Sredfield: It's the section from mile 405 to 435. I got off the trail 3 weeks ago. I am posting for 2 friends that are still hiking south bound. They hiked this section last Friday and Saturday. They said the trail improved a few miles before crossing RT 87

Hope this helps.
Goliath

[Bob Lacourse]

@friendofThundergod
The person I posted this for is a extremely experienced long distance hiker with over 14,000 miles hiked.
Trail maintenance is for the safety and pleasure of all skill levels.
FYI, even with the difficulty of the trail being grown in and getting numerous cuts from thorns, they still managed a 22 mile day Saturday. And yes they had compression sleeves and gaiters on.

[Tough_Boots]

If you hike the Mazzies without losing large quantities of blood, then you didn't really hike through the Mazzies. The best way to actually find your way through that mess is to follow the sounds of thru-hikers cursing-- and that's how we like it

[chumley]

catclaw grows fast :bdh:

It's nice when the trail stewards do some work on it, but I can't say that a hiker should ever expect a JMT experience.

The AZT doesn't get nearly as much traffic, and most is spread over a couple of distinct seasons which allows for erosion and growth to affect the trail.

It's good to update the stewards of conditions, and it's smart to expect some rough sections.

Hikers can help too. It's maddening to me when I see a tiny catclaw or manzanita bush growing in the trail and a new route has developed around it. Feel free to drag your feet or kick a heel over those fresh sprouts on or near the trail. Eliminate them before they grow big enough that walking around them is even an option. Every little bit helps!

[rcorfman]

Now to completely hijack this thread.

Mazzies

Shouldn't it be Matties or maybe Maddies? I mean Mazzie is just a mispronunciation.

[chumley]

@rcorfman
Well since it is spelled "Mazatzal" I think Mazzies is correct. There's definitely no D in there!

I think anything that sounds like Madazal or Matazal are the actual mispronunciations!

See forum post: viewtopic.php?t=5181&start=100#p73073

[FOTG]

@rcorfman
I went with the commonly accepted short form of Mazatzals, a quick search found five references to Mazzy(s) on HAZ. I of course dropped the y and added ies ;)

There are zero references on HAZ to Matties or Maddies, but dont be afraid to start a new trend When learning to pronounce Mazatzals someone once said think, "mad as hell" which does give some credence to the phantom D pronunciation you suggested.

[chumley]

I also think this thread should be requesting "hardy" volunteers. But that's just me.

[rcorfman]

I also think this thread should be requesting "hardy" volunteers. But that's just me.

Perhaps, but then it does take someone with heart to haul away someone else's...

[rcorfman]

Well since it is spelled "Mazatzal" I think Mazzies is correct. There's definitely no D in there! I think anything that sounds like Madazal or Matazal are the actual mispronunciations! See forum post: viewtopic.php?t=5181&start=100#p73073

All that aside, the colloquial pronunciation is ma-ta-zel, or mad-as-hell if you prefer. At least it has been for the 33 years I've lived here.

[mazatzal]

I've disliked the mispronunciation of my username for the 34 years I've lived here ;)

[The_Eagle]

@mazatzal
I thought mazatzal was pronounced:

RICH-urd
urd - rhymes with nerd

[BiFrost]

if you spend time hiking other trails in Arizona it's clear that the AZT is the Cadillac of trails conditions. And much of that is due to the many hours that volunteers like Shawn spend maintaining and improving vast sections...thanks

[mazatzal]

@The Eagle
Actually, there are two important pronunciations that may be used:
1) Rich_Turd (near JJ's favorite peak)
or
2) (my favorite) Throatwobbler mangove