| | -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
| |  |
|
10 |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 5.72 Miles |
3,071 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.72 Miles | 5 Hrs 20 Mns | | 1.21 mph |
| 3,071 ft AEG | 37 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | For the record (and to refresh Matt’s memory), Matt texted me on Dec 22nd saying he wanted to hike Pusch before the end of the year. I said if he could wait til after Christmas, I could join him.
We got started around 0745. While it was windy when I left Phoenix this morning, there was no breeze in Oro Valley when we started, so it felt fairly warm. We turned off towards the flatiron, then Matt informed me the route he wanted to take up the ridge to reconnect with the main trail had some brush. Oh yes it did. Brushy, thorny, steep, loose offtrail. We did survive, and getting back to the main trail was a relief. Losing some elevation was a fun little treat too.
Once back on the main trail, we took our time for the final 1300’ climb to the summit. It was still so much easier than what we had done on the offtrail. Nice breeze at the summit, but the views were hazy from dust. Still good though.
The descent was straightforward, and mostly a matter of not falling. Lots of chatty hikers on the way down.
I’ve worn the Aku Rockets on a few hikes now, and have been overall quite impressed. Grip is incredible, I did not slide at all today, no matter the terrain. 10/10 for sure. I still have not worn them on wet surfaces, but dry surfaces are amazing. They are a stiffer shoe than my Solomons, but seemed a little more flexible today vs my first couple of hikes in them. For short, steep hikes, I’d rate the comfort an 8/10. The one longer hike I did in them was less comfortable, but I may try them again on a longer hike now that they feel a little more broken in. I do wear moleskin on the back of my heels since it seems like they might want to create a hotspot while hiking uphill. As long as I remember to cover my heels, it’s fine. I will probably get a pair to leave in Idaho for the steeper hikes up there. I still doubt they’d become my default for higher mileage hikes though.
Good to see Matt again, and a fun morning! |
| _____________________
| Stop crying and just go do the hike. |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 