Today’s miles: 21.9 Total miles: 668.9 I’m surprised that, despite all my misgivings about this campsite, plus the distant noise from the highway, I sleep well. I’m packed up by first light, stopping to top up my water supply from the bear box. Oof, six liters is very heavy. But we all make our choices: … More AZT Day 43: Dry Days
Today’s miles: 12.3 Total miles: 647.0 In the morning I feel very eager to reach the trail magic I saw the sign for yesterday, and if that’s not there, then extra motivated to reach my resupply box a few miles after. I am dressed and packed up before dawn breaks, and hunch over my garbage … More AZT Day 42: Pancakes & Caves
Today’s miles: 18.5 Total miles: 634.7 Even though I was freezing in camp last night, by morning I feel too warm in all my layers. Before dawn, I hear the rhythmic crunch crunch of a hiker’s footsteps, and see a headlamp turn the corner near my campsite. I’m up, packed, and finishing breakfast (I usually … More AZT Day 41: Saguaro Land
Today’s miles: 14.4 Total miles: 616.2 It feels very cold in the middle of the night, but by the time the sky lightens I’m fine without my hat and gloves. I have a short day today, because I’m required to stop just before the boundary of Saguaro National Park. However, I also have a very … More AZT Day 40: Forever Climbing
Today’s miles: 15.2 Total miles: 601.8 Around 10pm I wake to the sound of some creature rustling around in the dry leaves near my tent. It’s a startling way to wake up, but I know it’s not a predator: too small to be a bear, too noisy to be a mountain lion. Probably a raccoon … More AZT Day 39: Carceral Remnants
Today’s miles: 12.8 Total miles: 586.6 Surprisingly, I sleep well. Maybe all that stress right before bed tired me out. In the early morning another vehicle drives down the dirt road, and I smell the faint whiff of a skunk somewhere near. It’s November now, and the sunrise comes later and later every day, but … More AZT Day 38: Quintessential
Today’s miles: 11 Total miles: 573.8 I’m up early for a phone call with my analyst, then it’s time to eat: four muffins (a home-baked treat from my host), two cups of instant hot chocolate, leftover chips and salsa from last night, a large cinnamon roll, a Sprite, and a large red Powerade. I guess … More AZT Day 37: On Oracle Ridge
Today’s miles: 11.9 Total miles: 562.8 A skunk smell drifts through the wash in the early morning, waking me. A couple of times in the night I heard a mountain biker pass by, and there are a couple more just before dawn this morning. There must be some kind of event happening. I’m going into … More AZT Day 36: Canned Water
Today’s miles: 18.3 Total miles: 550.9 I sleep like a rock all night and am surprised when morning arrives. My first thought is one of gratitude: there was no wind. I desperately needed that sleep and feel renewed this morning. I’m also grateful for the low temperatures I wake to — it’s actually chilly this … More AZT Day 35: Climbing the Tank
Today’s miles: 22.7 Total miles: 532.6 At midnight, I wake to absolutely ripping wind outside. It shakes my whole tent. I’m camped on a ridgeline and there are no trees or boulders or anything to serve as a windbreak. I lie there fretting for a while, hoping it will pass. It does not pass. I … More AZT Day 34: The Wind
according to the map 