AZT NOBO Miles 526-558
Have you ever started something, was forced to stop yet felt an immense urge to finish it?
I’m not the most persistent person. I’ve started many projects, jobs and hobbies over my 48 years on this earth and they still sit unfinished to this day. My real estate career, crocheting a blanket and running a marathon are just a few things I’ve started, dropped, lost interest, and never bothered to look back.
But the Arizona Trail, she calls to my heart and soul. Draws me in to come see the splendor she has to offer those that dare take the 800 mile challenge.
My First Impression of the Arizona Trail
Back in March 2020 I set out to walk the Arizona Trail with 2 people I had never met before. Arriving in Tucson, AZ. Jan and Dave were going to be my hiking partners for the next couple of months. Jan hailing from Wyoming and Dave from Australia were just as giddy as I was to do this!
I didn’t particularly enjoy the first couple of days of the AZT. We climbed a mountain, slept in freezing weather, slipped on trail ice and endured a different physical ailment each day.
This was not my kind of fun – yet.
The days carrying 30 pounds on my back were too long and the nights in my tiny tent were just too short for my almost 50 body to recoup. But I wasn’t about to complain, my hiking partners out-aged me by at least a dozen years and they were doing fine.
This was the beginning of the me realizing the trail was testing me and I was passing. I was taking what she threw at me and taking it like a champ, no, a THRU-HIKER!
I had watched a plethora of thru-hiking YouTubers over the years, this group fascinated me with their resilience and tenacity yet I never once wanted to do what they do. I’m a day-hiker and maybe someday I’ll backpack a bit but never walk 100s or even 1000s of miles continuously!
Yet on day 3 I felt I was becoming them I surely know I was beginning to smell like them.
Our small group of 3 traversed 76 miles into Kentucky Camp, AZ when we decided to leave the trail. We didn’t take this lightly, considering it takes months to plan a trek like this and many travel far to get there. The pandemic was happening around us and trail life would halt immediately.
I was happy to be home to experience long showers, tacos, and a soft bed again.
Yearning for the Arizona Trail
My happiness waned as I unpacked my backpack, aired out my gear and reshelved my dehydrated food – I wanted desperately to be outside again. Yet the world around me was in the midst of a pandemic and we were asked to stay home. And so I did…
…for 2 months.
I stayed home for 2 months and decided I was getting no younger.
I finally found something that I love doing more than anything else (besides being with my kids) and I’m sitting at home. I live just a few hours from the trail and still have all the gear and food. The decision was made to section backpack the AZT!
I started this trail and, damn it, I’m going to finish it!
Below are my stories of hiking section 30 of the AZT.
Part 1: AZT Backpacking : Horse Mesa Trailhead to Lake Marshall
Backpacking the AZT : Horse Mesa Trailhead to Lake Marshall
Part 2 AZT Backpacking : Gooseberry Springs Trailhead to Horse Mesa Trailhead
Backpacking the AZT : Gooseberry Springs Trailhead to Horse Mesa Trailhead
Further Useful Hiking Info
- My Arizona Trail YouTube Playlist
- Arizona Trail Website
- Remember Leave No Trace while visiting the outdoors
~Allie
Some links lead to Amazon or other companies I’m associated with. I get a small commission if you purchase from my link at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!
