Hiking Dude Blog

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.
Chuck at REI was very helpful with the tips of my trek poles which are wearing out. He found a spare part that fit so I have a spare for when one finally fails. A few more oz to carry, but some insurance.
Got 2 days of food to get me to Roosevelt Marina where I've already sent a 4-day box. It's about 50 miles.
To gain weight, I had a large DQ chocolate shake, onion rings, bacon, eggs, biscuits, peanut butter, milk, clam chowder, apple, banana, 2 oranges, snap peas, grapes, and am now having dinner of chicken, cowboy beans, french fries, and cake. That should help a little!
I'll tell you more about PapaBear later.

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. We got to the trailhead just fine, got phone coverage, and our ride to Tempe picked us up.
So, another short backpacking trip is complete. After resting a day, I'll start a week long trip to Pine.

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 girl since the Mexico border. My wife said I couldn't meet any 'hiker' chicks but nothing about 'biker' chicks.
On the way to Tempe for a break now.

Nothing better than a choir of songbirds waking you up just a few minutes before the alarm goes off. Here's the view from my room this morning. The Hilton doesn't have a lobby like this!

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. But he was in a hurry and went on ahead. Met Lee and David who have helped create many miles of the trail.
Covered the new portion west of Kelvin which was beautiful, especially the view of the old train tressle.
This pic is similar to what I got to enjoy all afternoon and am now camped among. We could not find the new trail at Walnut Canyon so wound up going the old way past the artesian well.
All in all, a terrific day on the trail capped off with Mexican Rice and a Snickers bar.
Tomorrow should get me to a real bed and shower!

Just spent a very enjoyable break with Lloyd at Wilson Trailer Ct in Kelvin. The Kelvin bridge is the low spot on the AZT so it's uphill from here.
Lloyd also gave us a personal tour of the open pit copper mine which was amazing.
Well, the cooler forecast temps should help our hike so we're off again.

I walked 42762 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 18 miles today.
I actually hiked more like 20 miles but the rounding of miles the past two weeks has pushed the total a bit higher than reality.
How do you like my little friend I met on the trail today?
Actually, I hiked with a new buddy named PapaBear today. Our paces seem to match fairly well so we're planniing to hike two more days, take a rest day, then see how it goes.
That afternoon rest break today was a great idea. We climbed the hill when it was a bit cooler. We're now camped on a ridge and the hot wind is really gusting. Hopefully, this little shelter will hold up.
We also got buuzzed by two military helicopters zooming past - pretty cool.
Awesome teriyaki rice and tuna for dinner, plus Oreos for desert! Here's a tip - generic poptarts aren't as good as the real thing.
Check out my current location on the map.

It's so hot we decided to rest here in the shade before tackling an open, south-facing hill. There's a constant drone of bees, flies, and whatnot but none really bothering me.
I did just notice two buzzards circling so maybe we look tasty laying here.
I backhiked a mile to the only water until the Gila River since we missed it coming through. Pretty gnarly with bees and algae, but it filtered just fine. My umbrella and filter are my two favorite items so far. The tips of my trek poles have worn off so I have to figure that one out - buy new poles, tips, or go without.
It's pretty amazing how we take clean water for granted.

Some folks have asked to see more of the environment I'm walking through so I'll try to post a pic a day of what's out here.
Not much, but this is the desert ahead for Saturday's walk. I hope to almost reach the Gila River today, hiking with a new friend by name of PapaBear.

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. Fortunately, there was plenty of water there with about a billion bees in, on, and around the water. My Sawyer filter worked just great and I had plenty of water.
I met two trail stewards on horse and chatted a bit with them. I actually used their hoofprints to help follow the trail in a few sketchy spots. I also met PapaBear at the water cache where I'm camping tonite. He was all set up here and we might hike together a bit tomorrow and see how it goes. He's section hiked the PCT.
There's also a guy named Eric behind me that might catch up tomorrow or next day.
I certainly like the morning hike better - it's too hot for me in the later day. But, cooler weather is supposed to come in on Sunday.
Check out my current location on the map.