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| AZT #15 via Florence Kelvin TH, AZ | | -
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| | AZT #15 via Florence Kelvin TH, AZ | | | |
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AZT #15 via Florence Kelvin TH, AZ
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| Hiking | 5.80 Miles |
1,265 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.80 Miles | 3 Hrs | | 2.05 mph |
| 1,265 ft AEG | 10 Mns Break | 20 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | Yup, after the semi-disastrous (for my knees) hike a dozen days ago we're back to revisit another part of AZT #15 some 8 years later. This time it's a SOBO out-and-back from the TH along Florence/Kelvin Highway, and rather than the previous 12+ mile hike, the plan was for no longer than 10 miles... if my knees held out.
It was quite breezy at the trailhead so with a forecast for higher winds later I wasn't too enthused about it, but we're here so let's get on with it.
While the first few miles featured a steady climb, by consciously taking it slower than usual it seemed easy enough. But when I realized the ascent in the next mile will equal the total of the first two miles, it was obvious things weren't going to get easier.
Being eight years since I last covered this ground I remembered practically nothing of that hike.
(That trip I hiked an out-and-back solo SOBO to meet Tracey at the end of her NOBO of the full AZT #15.)
The next mile was not only rougher terrain and some steep ascents, but the wind picked up some serious speed. While we had a bit of protection on a few switchbacks, much of the time we were being blasted by winds well over 25 mph. Enough so that a few times as we rounded a corner on the contour, it almost knocked us off our feet. Which provided no solace, knowing that losing footing could precipitate a long and disastrous fall.
By this point we knew even a 10 mile round-trip wasn't gonna happen today, so it was a matter of what point will we decide enough! When we reached a small saddle with a slight amount of protection from the high winds, we stopped, Tracey sat down and broke out some of her food. After the drive from home to the trailhead I was hungry enough to grab a bite at the TH so wasn't in any hurry to break out more food. In the end, not finding a suitable rock to keep from sitting flat on the ground, I just stood around until heading back.
Although the winds were now at our back (for the most part), I didn't feel any safer heading back down. Eventually we were done with the most wind-exposed sections and I could breathe a bit easier, albeit being more careful to keep from abusing my knees on the downhill.
When we first contemplated turning back, Tracey had mentioned turning back and then hiking the other direction from the TH to get in our planned miles. However, once back at the TH after finishing our lunch, neither of us cared to saddle up just to add a few more miles, so that was it. Being so focused on footing and high winds, I had taken no photos along the trail, just a belated photo of the Ray Mine.
If there were any accomplishment to take away from the outing, it would be Tracey removing over a dozen empty 1 gallon water bottles and consolidating what water was left in the bear box at the TH. |
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