Totally agree with DanllinW -- trekking in Tibet: worry about altitude sickness. Hiking in AZ: worry about dehydration (not altitude sicknesses). The AZT does traverse several sky islands (Huachuca's 9,089', Catalina's 7,800', Flagstaff 6,900') but none of them are high enough for long enough to res...

If anyone is seeking a ride to the trail head, on March 9, "Oldmanonthetrail" and I will be driving from Phoenix to Sierra Vista and then taking a shuttle from SV to the trail head. If anyone else is considering leaving on 3/9, PM me to see if we can help.

I've been using a HMG square flat tarp in Arizona and New Mexico for the last three years. As others have said, the weight savings are outstanding and it provides great protection provided you practice a few different pitches prior to hitting the trail. You'll want a few options in your repertoire t...

@rcorfman
So you found the tanks on that stretch reliable in the fall? That's good to know. Fall is typically drier than Spring. Some of the blogs I've read from other travelers didn't so I planned to play it safe. Maybe I'll reassess. It would save me a lot of driving...

I used Hillsounds on sections 38 and 39 of the GET in 2014. They were great. I don't plan on bringing them on my NOBO AZT thru starting in early March. Yes, this has been a particularly snowy year, but it's still Arizona. It was 86F in Phoenix today. If there are slick bits, I'll have my trekking po...

Gentlemen, I'm planning on caching water at the Tiger Mine Road box (mile 209.1) and at the Moqui Stage Station (mile 658.3). As a local, I'll be driving to both sites in a week or two. I'd be happy to cache water (and food boxes) for you. Please let me me know if you'd like me to cache anything for...

@cavaroc If you end up at the end of your window rather than the beginning, let me know. My house is 15m from Sky Harbor. I'd be happy to pick you up and bunk you on my couch until we head-out. Sorry Johnneyo979, 3/15 is a week past my target -- if I'm in Tucson by 3/18 my wife can meet me for the ...

@johnnyo979 When I learned my original request had not been received, I put in a new request for any open days at either bright angel or cottonwoods between 4/18 and 5/16 (plus a night on the north rim). They said nothing was available below the rim in that range. Therefore, I doubt applying for an...

Hey JR -- I was hoping to hit the trail on 3/9. Is that too late for you? If not, I'm game to share a shuttle.

I just talked to two different members of the GC backcountry office about this. On January 1, I faxed the backcountry office a permit request for May dates. Then, I waited. Five weeks later I still hadn't heard. So, I sent and e-mail and called. The call revealed that my fax was not received (despit...

I too carry an InReach SE for all the reasons noted above. I've always done most of my backpacking solo and never worried much. Then, two years ago, on a day hike in the Supes with a friend, he had the simplest slip on the easiest bit of trail and out of the blue disconnected his entire quadricept f...

Cool idea. At the moment, I plan on starting on 3/9. I'm going to take off a day and a half in Tucson so I doubt I'll catch-up to you before Pickets Post but look forward to crossing paths as you make your way SOBO. Dress warm -- the North Rim and Flagstaff areas are going to be very cold this early...

awesome, thanks gents.

Greetings, all. I'm planning a NOBO thru starting in March. I'd like to resupply in Patagonia. For various scheduling reasons, however, I expect to start on a Weds, and warming up slowly, will arrive in Patagonia on Saturday afternoon. Since the Post Office is closed on the weekends, I'd appreciate ...

The key with solar chargers seems to be orientation to the sun. I'm preparing for a NOBO AZT thru this spring and decided to give Bushnell's solar wrap mini-MAX a try. This is the big brother of the smaller and generally panned Bear Grillis model. It weighs 5.1 oz and stores as a very compact 1.25&q...

Greetings, all. I too will be starting a NOBO in March. I'm waiting to see what days I get permitted for the Grand Canyon to determine my exact start date. Once that's determined, I'll post an update. Anyone who happens to need a ride from Phoenix to the trailhead at that time would be welcome.