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| Hiking | 11.10 Miles |
1,375 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.10 Miles | | | |
| 1,375 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Trudging up the trail with the pack snug against my lower back, the lower back that ibuprofen
and grit kept going had slipped out a night earlier and I was feeling the ecstasy of pain that
millions of men my age live with. The climb out of Dan’s Saddle was steep and I began to feel
the familiar sweat from the physical exertion.
But something was wrong in the high Arizona desert. There was a stinging, painful feeling in my
fingers. Cold. That’s it. My fingers were cold. An unfamiliar feeling in Arizona but the Simondi
curse had struck. Snow and cold followed her and delivered on this section of the hike.
Easy D was prepared. She was bundled up in her Frog Toggs to begin the morning trek in the
snow and mist.
There’s an image of the winds blowing on older maps to indicate the directions. Last night it
seemed like that image had come to life. She’d blow up above the ridge coming from Mt
Lemmon and I’d hear her breath as it hit the trees and rustled the growth on its way down to
Dan’s saddle. Then her breath would move the tent. I lay inside wondering if the stakes would
hold and if the rain cover would suddenly take flight leaving me exposed. But the Big Agnus tent
is well designed and the only concern was getting sleep. It was fitful but the air pad underneath
me was comfortable. My dreams were plentiful, even the one where I was outside of the tent
replacing stakes. Only a dream.
It was, after the initial climb out of Dan’s Saddle a downhill, cross country trek to the American
Flag Trailhead in Oracle. Eventually the sun played through the clouds often enough that the
trail became muddy and the air felt warm (even though my plastic thermometer said 40
degrees). In the distance to the West, below us in the valley we could see Biosphere 2 the earth
sciences research facility run by the University of Arizona.
I’ve done it. With Easy D’s help, I’ve completed the Southern portion of the Arizona Trail. Now
it’s North to completion.
Miles: 11.1
AZT Total: 416 |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
