Friday, May 03, 2013 I set up my tent in THAT Brewery's beach volleyball court last night, my logic being 'sand = comfortable' and 'there are no other stellar spots'. Unfortunately, in the middle of the night (at this point you may be asking yourself, 'why does so much happen in the middle of the …
Tag: Backpacking
The Arizona Trail Day 46: Arrival in Pine
Thursday, May 02, 2013 - 6 km I had been planning to relax this morning and start walking late since I was only six kilometres from Pine, but the Churchill wind returned with a vengeance last night. A partially mesh tent always seems like a good idea until cold air is seeping through the walls …
The Arizona Trail Day 45: Camping + Lack of Sunburn + Dinosaurs
Wednesday, May 01, 2013 - 25.6 km I love mesas, there's something awesome about a mountain with a flat top upon which you can stroll and camp anywhere, therefore I woke up in a good mood today, looking forward to the trail. Whiterock Mesa has pretty white stone and shade, and rocks that look like …
Continue reading The Arizona Trail Day 45: Camping + Lack of Sunburn + Dinosaurs
The Arizona Trail Day 44: RAGE
Tuesday, April 30, 2013 - 16.7 km A bland section of trail followed Brush Springs. I kept missing the turns on a set of switchbacks, then running into dense walls of shrubbery and realizing when I backtracked that I had stepped over a lilliputian wall of sticks or stones meant as a sign to stop. …
The Arizona Trail Day 43: Picnic Ants
Monday, April 29, 2013 - 19.2 km My scalp was itchy last night and I started worrying that I had lice caught from never washed hotel blankets. After combing my hair repeatedly, I reached the conclusion that I didn't have lice but needed a shower immediately, and I decided to pull a long day and …
The Arizona Trail Day 42: Just No
Sunday, April 28, 2013 - 18.8 km More dodgy trail in the morning. Before entering the Mazatzals, I had decided on two rules: I would check my GPS at regular intervals on any trail without clear signage, and I would remember to look at the scenery rather than studying my feet all the time. While …
The Arizona Trail Day 41: Hitchhiker
Saturday, April 27, 2013 - 16.25 km When I woke up today, I discovered that the wind had shifted and was now carrying the scent of horse dung directly to my tent. Yuck. I filtered water, packed up, studied the AZT sign, went in the wrong direction, returned to the sign, studied the sign, ignored …
The Arizona Trail Day 40: Stampede
https://www.flickr.com/photos/186593395@N08/49439945381/in/dateposted-public/ After Sycamore Creek, the trail passed beneath the highway and began a gentle jaunt through the countryside. The air was hot and still, so I put up my umbrella. Two cowboys heading in the opposite direction gave me a polite 'hello' and 'good morning' (I was hoping they would say 'howdy, miss' or something …
The Arizona Trail Day 39: Path of Most Resistance
Thursday, April 25, 2013 - 23.8 km FR422 had lovely views. Most of the best campsites were after Little Pine Flats, where they showed fewer signs of use and the scenery was most impressive. https://www.flickr.com/photos/186593395@N08/49440165507/in/dateposted-public/ The track began a long descent out of the mountains and into pastureland, where it adopted a policy of 'path …
Continue reading The Arizona Trail Day 39: Path of Most Resistance
The Arizona Trail Day 38: No Garbage Service
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 23.8 km For a trail that once had a warning about hikers needing maps and/or GPS, Four Peaks sure cleaned up well. The surface was clear and the footing good aside from a few eroded sections in the centre. I encountered a group of young people doing further trail work, …
Continue reading The Arizona Trail Day 38: No Garbage Service
The Arizona Trail Day 37: Beg for Cheeseburgers
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 17.22 km Upon returning to Roosevelt Marina this morning, I discovered that the address listed on the ATA website for the visitor centre is actually the shop's address. I left the visitor centre, slunk to the shop and apologized for not phoning beforehand about sending a package. The employee reassured …
Continue reading The Arizona Trail Day 37: Beg for Cheeseburgers
The Arizona Trail Day 36: I’ll Get There
Monday, April 22, 2013 This morning I discovered that my phone charger cord had stopped working. Annoying, but I was lucky to be somewhere I could purchase a new one. The motel employee who had sent me to the improper room gave me a ride to the Apple store. I asked her about living in …
The Arizona Trail Day 34: Death Trap Either Way
Saturday, April 20, 2013 I received a ride into Scottsdale from Guy, the shuttle driver from Superior, who was heading there for an appointment. Thank you! Moreover he offered to drive me back to Superior on Monday afternoon, and then to Roosevelt Marina the following morning. That works well, giving my ankle time to rest …
Continue reading The Arizona Trail Day 34: Death Trap Either Way
The Arizona Trail Day 33: New Wildlife Viewing Goals
Friday, April 19, 2013 - 12.7 km Today I hiked from the wilderness boundary to Roosevelt Marina. I was feeling some trepidation beforehand since the ATA website cautions mountain bikers and horseback riders against attempting the Cottonwood Canyon trail, but its large rocks provided better footing than small slippy evil rocks. It was also pretty …
Continue reading The Arizona Trail Day 33: New Wildlife Viewing Goals
The Arizona Trail Day 32: Celebrity
Thursday, April 18, 2013 - 13.4 km While I was eating peanut butter in my sleeping bag around 7:00 AM, I heard someone approach my tent and clear their throat. Move it along, pal. Unless I'm already dressed and packing up my gear, clearing your throat won't get me out of my tent. I need …
The Arizona Trail Day 31
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 - 21.1 km I woke up this morning to a cloudy sky that lent the landscape a pleasant gloominess and created distinct sunbeams when the sun rose. For most of the day I was expecting rain, but none came. I decided to try hiking with my glasses, which I picked out …
The Arizona Trail Day 30
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - 24 km I saw my first rattlesnake today! People have been warning me for awhile that 'the snakes are out', I suppose like how in Canada we say 'The bears are out, and grazing by the roadsides. If you see one, please do not stop your car, get out of …
The Arizona Trail Day 29
Monday, April 15, 2013 Zero in Superior. The main street is lined with historic buildings, some restored for new businesses and others closed. I wanted to try the Jade Grill, but it's shut on Mondays and Tuesdays, so I decided to have a budget day with grocery store food instead. I had a hard time …
The Arizona Trail Day 28
Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 27.8 km You know that it's going to be a blazing day when you roll out of your tent in your underwear and a t-shirt at 4:30 AM and the temperature is comfortable. Yikes, but I was still in disciplined thru-hiker mode, so an early start was in the stars. …
The Arizona Trail Day 27
Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 21 km The air was still and hot today. The Gila River is large by AZ standards but always separated from the trail by either distance or a fence, so there were no opportunities to jump into its brown water. After winding alongside for awhile, the AZT passed through a …
BANE OF THE TRAIL 