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| Hiking | 19.99 Miles |
5,150 AEG |
| | Hiking | 19.99 Miles | 19 Hrs 29 Mns | | 1.09 mph |
| 5,150 ft AEG | 1 Hour 10 Mns Break | | | |
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[ show ]
| partners | | Started at 4:52am
It officially got cold passing Thicket Spring turnoff. Based on the darkness I figured a new moon. We followed Copper Camp where I missed the turn weeks ago. With a preoccupied mind pondering avenues for recoding RS in my spare time along with MapDEX, like hunters destroying the forum & five days of demeaning joy, I questioned the turn. It didn't take long for us to miss another slight turn but we figured it out soon after.
8.03mi - 7:57am | 3h 5m
Off-trail, beating schedule.
I loaded up on water and added a Chocolate Coconut Luna Bar to the minimal mix. It was unexpectedly delicious and little did I know I was in close ties with a Clif relative... lol
10.54mi - 9:43am | 4h 51m
On Dream Ridge, inspiring progress. I switched wardrobes. We cleared the chalk band as I did weeks ago. We started hooking around the rock blob band. At 11.17mi John jigged instead of jagging. I mentioned this mini subtle ridge earlier, so I didn't object. Yet I should have when he opted for the shortest distance between two points. What looked like 20 feet of nuisance scree was 0.2 mi. My 3-pt contact/balance slowed to a crawl.
11.51mi - 12:04pm
I reached Lion where John had been for the past day or 15min, remarkably deciphering surrounding peaks. Enjoyed a long lunch. Then headed to 4570. Babbling returning to the descent, I missed the turn to pad our stats another 0.2mi. 23min quicker descending than my previous because John navigated so I could keep my good right hand free.
13.59mi - 3:48pm | 10h 56m
Stepped into the South Fork of Sheep Creek. A sprinkle on a minimal cloud day escalated to a short soaking. We got out and skirted the creek on a game trail where it was to our advantage. Then back down to the known good pool and John pumped water... smarter than my carry the weight option.
The creek had a light flow vs occasional pools on my previous recent hikes. Despite never slipping or falling, I turned the tables on being way ahead of schedule and John offered to carry my pack. A new pool from recent moisture put a thorn in staying dry.
John scrambled up the right. I disagreed but held my tongue because the dude was carrying my pack and cutting a path up a 40° slope for an idiot who couldn't use either hand. John was excited to find a game trail. I knew it wouldn't pan out but it quickly deciphered what needed to be corrected. I've never driven and been correct about something so I was on cloud nine.
Backtracked and walked through the inevitable pool(72.4° left/ 90° right) getting the turn into Tournament Creek.
4:12 Up Up & Away
I waited at the precarious cactus scramble for John to yipper barefoot through the creek and let him take out some anger on the cactus. Bonus time dwindled to even. My state was making progress 3-5 times slower.
5:30pm Base of 4642
John went above and beyond, carrying my pack, and navigating out. In addition, he steadied my steps up the 1h 8m 400 ascent of 4642. Heading over to Chalk it was easy to see when Fountain Hills was in view due to the sliver moon, so we sent out still-alive messages when a signal surfaced.
Chalk and Marion continued their previous beats of wreaking havoc. John clipped Chalk so scratch that off no reason to return.
9:35pm Trail!
Despite a horrible fall risk and impossible to match the opening 18.5,17.3,16.3(AYFKM),18.3-minute miles, I led as fast as I could. Reviewing splits, still slow...lol
Synopsis
It was great to meet John and I am grateful for his above and beyond help in a bad situation. Several of the early-mile past-hike stories had funny transitions as the day progressed. My favorite was when John asked, so how does this hike rank on memorable hikes?
Be careful, it's a jungle out there. |
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Tournament Creek |
Medium flow |
Medium flow |
| |  Flowing, because it poured on us a 1/2 hour earlier. Otherwise occasional pools. | | _____________________
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