Why did I decide to hike 800 miles in Arizona at 48 years old? What the heck was I thinking?
Welcome, I’m Allie. I’ve been living full time on the road since 2020. These are my memories as I travel.
Listen and watch along on YouTube and above.
Three Weeks Until the Arizona Trail
Have you ever felt you weren’t ready to take on something big in your life yet did it anyway?
I had 3 weeks to prepare for my first thru-hike.
Hiking and car camping were what I “did”, I had plenty of gear for both of those activities. Yet backpacking and thru-hiking I had no gear, unless you count my hiking shoes.
I consider myself an avid hiker, constantly heading out near home and little further out to take on a trail for a few hours. This was something I enjoyed 3-4 times a week, and I can get a little obsessed with it.
But long distance, that was a completely different beast. (Speaking of beasts, I couldn’t believe the size of the backpack I bought at REI! I remember explaining to the guy helping me that I was thru-hiking the AZT and he suggested this humongous 65 liter red tank of a backpack. I bought it! My Osprey Aura AG 65 L carried all I needed with extra space at the top for 76 miles.)
Getting Ready for My AZT Thru-hike
I’m a pretty good day hiker but longer distances, while carrying heavy weight and staying overnight in a tiny tent were foreign to me.
I’ll admit, I was nervous and scared about taking this on. Yet my excitement overwhelmed me. I swear I felt that my adrenaline was pumping from the moment I said yes to the trip until summiting to Miller Peak Wilderness Boundary ridge. That was about a 4 week span.
I always wanted to backpack yet never really made plans. I think I was just being a big chicken and came up with excuses to not do it.
What got me out there this time?
Saying Yes But Thinking No to the AZT
Long story short, I had recently moved from California to Arizona looking for a fresh start. I was planning on buying a conversion van to travel and hike. Soon after my move I was laid off from my job then my hiking partner and best buddy of 14 years, my dog Maggy, passed away of cancer.
I was mentally stuck. I didn’t feel motivated to move on and simply wanted to be left alone for a while.
Then Janice came into my life. Her and I are members of a group of over 40 women hikers sponsored by Hiking for Her. I happened to come across a post she published looking for anyone that wanted to hike the AZT. Something took over my fingers and before I gave it any thought I typed yes, I’d hike with her.
I’ve NEVER been impulsive yet something in me said to take this and run, don’t think about it.
Three weeks later we’re at the Mexican border grinning ear to ear ready for our accent.
I Guess I’m Ready for this 800 Mile Walk
I was ready physically for this walk, er, climb. I had been ramping up my hiking each day with longer treks and heavier weight.
What I wasn’t ready for was the long, winding climb on the side of a mountain with about 36 pounds of top heavy weight on my back. I had a lot to learn about thru-hiking and it was going to come quickly in the next few days.
~Allie
- Arizona Trail
- Guthooks Guide for AZT – App we used to navigate
- All AZT posts on AllieRambles
