The Bloggers
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I walked 43412 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 18 miles today. Spending the nite camping at LF Ranch. Maryann is making us spaghetti for dinner right now and we're relaxing after a wonderful shower. The ranch is down in the valley by the East Verde river so it should be warm tonight…
I walked 48684 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 21 miles today. Half Way!! I crossed the halfway point today in miles, maps, and passages. Tthe passages are rated Easy, Moderate, and Strenuous. Of the 16 strenuous we've completed 11.
(read the previous post before this one) While following the tracks, we noticed many trees like this one that had been clawed down. We soon found a rancher and asked about the tracks. He let us know that they were made by the meanest, orneriest, thieving varmint in Arizona - the Jackalope.
This was the strangest Easter ever. I don't expect many of you to believe me, but I'll tell you anyway. While hiking north of Sunflower, AZ I stopped to get some badly needed water as you can see in this picture.
I walked 52982 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 23 miles today. Thanks to 10 easy miles on forest road, we reached Sycamore Creek tonight with an hour of daylight. That made it easier to set up camp, get water, and cook dinner.
I walked 41713 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 16.5 miles today. After two long hike days, we kept today a bit shorter. It wasn't easy, though. There was over 3000ft of elevation and we're camped at over a mile high.
we packed up and were on our way when Ben asked if we'd like some breakfast. Well, what self-respecting thru-hiker would ever turn down a meal? So, here I am having bacon and eggs on the beach beside a beautiful lake, in the desert, with the sun just rising.
Another 25 mile day but with much more fun and adventure. I had to reach the Roosevelt Marina by 4pm to pick up my food box or else wait until 8am the next day. So I fasthiked ahead of PapaBear for a few hours and got there just in time.
I walked 59531 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 26 miles today. Back on the trail to Utah after a wonderful rest in Tempe. It's about 50 miles to Roosevelt, AZ so we did half today and hopefully half tomorrow.
Spent today with PapaBear in Tempe trying to regain some lost weight and get a few things taken care of. This pic is from the top of Mica Mt a few days ago. It's a cool camp high in a majestic pine forest with views forever.
I walked 29416 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 13 miles today. Picket Post Mountain was the end of today's hike, close to Superior AZ. An early start got us walking in cool temps but some cactus needles in a leg, overgrown trail, chatting with hikers and bikers slowed us down a bit.
Met these veteran hikers on the trail. Each of them have over 10000 miles under their boots and 3 have done the Triple Crown. I'm such a newb! We also met 3 bikers - one was the prettiest girls since the Mexico border.
I walked 54864 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 21 miles today. Passed over the Gila River this am, which is the lowest point on the AZ Trail. After our open pit copper mine tour, Erik caught up with us and hiked awhile.
I walked 42762 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 18 miles today. I actually hiked more like 20 miles but th rounding of miles the past two weeks has pushed the total a bit higher than real. How do you like my little friend I met on the trail today?
I walked 67374 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 30 miles today. My first 30 mile day ever! From Oracle to the Freeman Road water cache, I enjoyed the shade of my umbrella in the 90+ heat. I started with 5 liters and the only water source was Beehive Well at 21 miles.
I walked 50480 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 21 miles today. I spent most of the day walking across a very hot, dry desert after I descended the Oracle Ridge from Summerhaven. I also had a 1m backhike for h2o first thing and 3m hike into Oracle, so a pretty long day.
I walked 53867 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 23 miles today. BIG Thank You to Janet and John for letting me rest up with them. And to John for the ride to Molino Basin CG to restart my hike.
My umbrella is really saving the day again. It's darn hot and an incredibly steep long climb, but having my own shade is super. It looks like I might make it to Summerhaven tonite, but it's still 8 miles away - all UP!
I'll be back to hiking bright and early tomorrow, keeping my eye open for other hikers to say "Howdy" to on the trail - maybe you'll cross my path? But, for one more evening, I'm really enjoying time to relax in a cool home, eating real food, and not worrying about how much water I need…
Kept busy today getting my hike schedule set for the next few weeks. Figuring how to minimize the food drops and stops along the way. Barring any more snow storms or other unforeseen obstacles, I should complete the trail right around May 1.
I walked 35462 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 16 miles today. Yet another change in plans - after the long haul over Mica Mtn yesterday and another hot day, we stopped at Molina Basin CG. This is also the most convenient stop for a zero day (or 2) in Tucson.
I walked 49644 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 20 miles today. This is the view all the way back to Mexico from Mica Mtn. A week ago, I was by the mountains way off to the left.
I walked 45794 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 21 miles today. First warm day in the desert. Found small pool of h2o in a creekbed - whew! Check out my current location on the map.
I walked 48492 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 22 miles today. Patagonia to Gardner Canyon thru snow around Mt. Wrightson - gorgeous day! Check out my current location on the map.
I walked 39987 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 16 miles today. It feels like hiking in MN so far. Another day in snow and wind. At Patagonia tonite.
I walked 34654 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 16 miles today. Met Phil from FL yesterday. Hit by a desert snow storm today. Exciting hike!
I walked 44184 steps on the trail today. I traveled about 23 miles today. Got picked up in Tucson at 5am. Started hiking at 9am. Super windy on Miller Peak. Check out my current location on the map.
I've been saving texts on my phone each day but t-mobile has no coverage around here so the texts are waiting. Oh well. So, here's a recap of the first three days. You can check out my progress map at AZT page since my Spot has been working pretty well.
Plane ride to Tucson was fine. Dallas was all green flying in, but Tucson has roofs the color of sand and sand the color roofs. But, the 85 degrees sure feels nice! I got a great tour of Tucson, including the university and Arizona Children's Association where my friend works.
Don't know when I'll be back again, but I'm hoping it's by May 1st. They say every journey begins with a single step, but this one begins with a couple long plane rides. I fly to Tucson via Dallas today to start my 800-mile Arizona Trail hike.
I hiked 4 miles to Gander Mountain to pick up three 1-liter platypus water bags. They weight about 5 ounces all together and take up very little space when rolled up. I'll have them as extra storage in case water is more scarce than I imagine and for a couple of looooong dry stretches.
Attended Eagle ceremony on Sunday. Attended troop meeting on Monday. Gave out ScoutStuff.org gift card and ClassB.com coupon on Wednesday. Helped out at district roundtable on Thursday. Completed a First Aid merit badge with a scout on Friday. Saturday and Sunday, I'll be presenting Wilderness First Aid (yet again) to a dozen scouters.
Click the image for a larger view. Which one do you think of when you hear someone is hiking 800 miles across Arizona? Scout On
... a plan comes together. This weekend was a flurry of progress on final plans for my AZ Trail hike. Still a lot more to do, but big progress. A Buddy: For the first few days at least, from the Mexico border to Patagonia, I'll be hiking with Colton.
It may be too light for my AZ hike, but I expect it to be perfect for summer backpacking on the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin. This sleeping quilt has only almost 1 inch of loft, but takes up a lot less space than my first quilt so it's tempting to try it earlier.
Yes, Mom, I made it myself! With very little seam ripping and only two permanent alterations (mistakes), I've got my pack I plan to use for 2,000 miles this summer. It is a G4 pattern that I purchased online and sewed at home.
2 B usy 2 B log This entire past week, I've been running back and forth, round and round, over and under. But, today I got to take a big breath and relax! In a nutshell, Got a loaner sewing machine Finished sewing my backpack Sewed a 2nd sleeping quilt Hiked about 40 miles Presented…
Between all your meetings, exercising to stay in shape, starting on taxes, deleting spam emails, checking out youtube videos, and the millions of other things that take up your time today - don't forget. Even if you hate chocolate - don't forget.
One step closer to being ready for the Arizona Trail. I received a brand-new map set on CD of the entire 800+ miles of trail on Friday. The maps are 1:28,000 scale and each image prints on an 8.5x11 sheet.
Please send me an email if you have problems using the new Comments on the site. You should be able to comment on any page, not just blog posts. Scout On
Hippo Birdie two Ewes, Boy Scouts of America! Scout On
I got to do my Good Turn yesterday and today. Shared some cooking secrets with another local troop last night. They've developed a bad habit of not cooking and the scoutmaster asked for some help. After talking with them and finding out their best, worst, and usual camping meals, it sure looked like they were…
Yet Another Wilderness and Remote First Aid Week End I spent the weekend with a dozen Scouting folks covering the first aid training required for all the BSA High Adventure bases now. We had everything from lightning deaths to mosquito bites so the 16+ hours went fairly quickly.
Do you know what this is? It's plastic, less than an inch across, and weighs hardly nothing. But, without it, I'm unable to complete my current sewing project. It's a top vertical gear from my sewing machine. Actually, it's a replacement that's on its way.
Heavy zippers, squished insulation, no wriggle room - who needs it? I've finished my sleeping quilt for my first long hike. Even my wife was impressed at how nicely it turned out! From my point of view, it was very easy - so easy I'm making another one.
You may never hope or dream to hike the Continental Divide Trail, but this tidbit should be of interest to anyone that ventures into the wild places. On the home page of the Continental Divide Trail Alliance , they've posted notice that the non-profit organization is ceasing operations and closing down over the next few weeks.
Last day of the month - that means contest winners are chosen tomorrow. Make sure you enter for this month if you haven't yet. As the guy always taking the photos of scouting activities, I have only a handful of shots that I'm in after 8 years and hundreds of days camping and backpacking with the…
Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. I believe that from what I notice at summer camp every year. I encourage my sons to get exercise, but with the mind-bending, breath-taking, realistic virtual worlds contained in XBox and other gaming systems, it's no wonder so many guys would prefer that to…
Along the Scouting trail, boys join and boys drop. Interests wax and wain. The perennial problem for units is maximizing retention and minimizing attrition so that scouts can benefit more from the program. In order to gain ground on the problem, we need to identify ways to make significant impact with minimal effort.
Any Boy Scouts doing the Inventing merit badge? How about Cub Scouts doing the Science, Computers, or Mathematics belt loops? Or maybe Webelos working on Engineer or Scientist activity badges? Any of these guys might be prime candidates to enter the BSA Innovation Challenge this spring.
