Friday, October 20, 2023 Miles: 17.63 Elevation gain/loss: 2093’/5495′ I was up at 4:30am and out by 4:55am. Soon after starting, I was sweating in the dark. It was so strange for it to be dark but not cool. Thankfully, the water cache was there with enough water for me to take what I needed … Continue reading Arizona Trail, north, day 15
Thursday, October 19, 2023 Miles: 30.8 Elevation gain/loss: 5512’/4472′ I was up at 4:55am and out by 5:20am. I started the day with a descent to Sunflower/I-87 and then climbed up and out of the valley. Before the climb, I stopped around 9am to filter water, and I heard voices though I didn’t see anyone. … Continue reading Arizona Trail, north, day 14
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Miles: 32.65 Elevation gain/loss: 5282’/6818′ I was up at 5:05am and out by 5:30am. Early on, I twisted my right ankle very hard. I was able to walk it off, but it took a bit out of me. Before the first water source, I passed by Cheez-It. He made a comment … Continue reading Arizona Trail, north, day 13
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 Miles: 32.31 Elevation gain/loss: 5755’/5387′ I was up at 5am and out of the Airbnb by 5:30am. I walked the highway back to the trail, since no one was willing to stop in the dark. I got back to the trail by 6:15am and started hiking south. I’d carried a liter … Continue reading Arizona Trail, north, day 12
Monday, October 16, 2023 Miles: 12.99 Elevation gain/loss: 1165’/1959′ I was up at 5am and hiking by 5:25am. I stepped over another tarantula as I headed towards town. I was very excited to be getting to town so early, with a full day of rest in a private Airbnb trailer ahead of me. I made … Continue reading Arizona Trail, north, day 11
Sunday, October 15, 2023 Miles: 36.56 Elevation gain/loss: 2966’/3927′ I was up at 4:55am and hiking by 5:20am. Early on, I heard coyotes playing, and needed to make some noise when the trail turned toward them, to keep us from being surprised. In the first few hours, I started to smell smoke. I knew I … Continue reading Arizona Trail, north, day 10
Saturday, October 14, 2023 Miles: 38.89 Elevation gain/loss: 2838’/3018′ I was up at 5 and out on trail by 5:25am. Early on, I twisted both of my ankles when I was hiking in the dark and in a rush to get to a spot suitible for digging a cat hole. This put me in a … Continue reading Arizona Trail, north, day 9
Friday, October 13, 2023 Miles: 22.67 Elevation gain/loss: 1299’/1093′ After forcing myself to sleep/nap until 7:30am, I mostly managed to relax at the hotel until check-out, leaving around 10:45am. Within the first few hours, I ran into Soul Slosher, Butcher, and Wonder. I hung out chatting with them for a while, and then headed back … Continue reading Arizona Trail, north, day 8
Thursday, October 12, 2023 Miles: 30.02 Elevation gain/loss: 2405’/3310′ Despite it being very cold overnight, I slept deeply. There was condensation on my sleeping bag from using my tarp as a bivy sack to protect me against the cold wind. I was up at 5am and hiking by 5:25am, excited for town but trying to … Continue reading Arizona Trail, north, day 7
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Miles: 40.18 Elevation gain/loss: 2808’/1759′ After a long night at camp with solid sleep under my tarp (I finally figured out how to pitch it high enough to comfortably sit up inside), I was up at 4:45am and hiking by 5:20am. At the first water source of the morning, Psy showed … Continue reading Arizona Trail, north, day 6
Transcending Mountains 