Viewing posts about Ultralight.

Moody-Coon Loop: Climbing up Parker to Aztec Peak

A cold, dark morning on Parker Creek Trail

Musk of skunk hung heavy over Parker Creek Trailhead. As I laced my boots and checked my pack I wondered idly if my Jeep had been sprayed on the drive up, or if I had just missed an encounter a few minutes ago. Either way it reeked. I double-checked my pack, making sure that my key was safely tucked…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted May 3, 2020
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Upper Mazzie Loop: Rainy Day on the Verde River

Gloomy morning skies

Waking about an hour before sunrise, I was initially slow moving under the dark sky. As soon as I was dressed and heard the pitter-patter of raindrops on my undersized tarp I sped up, though, worried about my quilt and other gear getting wet. Once everything was protected I began making breakfast,…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted January 30, 2019
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Upper Mazzie Loop: Wet Bottom Paradise

A barren, damaged basin beyond the saddle

Bull Spring Trail passes through three drainage basins after it leaves the AZT. With each basin it swings north to avoid losing too much elevation, though there is always some drop, and then it crosses a rocky bed before climbing up the other side. The first one is Red Metal Canyon and it looked…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted January 27, 2019
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Upper Mazzie Loop: Saddle Ridge to Bull Spring Saddle

Predawn light on North Peak

This morning started like so many of my Mazatzal adventures: pitch-black sky, frigid air, and a stumbling gait towards semi-familiar lands. There was something different about it, something that I tried to ignore, lest I jinx the whole outing. If I succeeded in this overnight loop then I'd finish my…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted January 23, 2019
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Descent to Fossil Creek

Dim morning light on Twin Buttes Trailhead

Soft pastels lit the clear sky above me in muted tones, whispers before the terrible forecasted high temperatures this weekend. I appreciated the chilly sixty-odd degree temperatures found on Hardscrabble Mesa this early in the morning. Another early start today, this time leaving Phoenix a few…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted July 24, 2017
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Cave Loop Overnight in the Supes

Late afternoon sun over Peralta Trailhead

Late afternoon sun heated up Peralta Trailhead as Chris and I stepped out of his car and pulled our packs on. The temps were in the upper eighties thanks to a storm-ridden cold front that had been rolling through the area this week, and it felt surprisingly reasonable out. I might be singing a…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted October 20, 2016
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Experimenting with a Hammock

Perfect hammock site at Barbershop Springs

This year I've been experimenting a lot with new gear and new backpacking practices. After a few adventures with thirty or more pounds (including nine days on Isle Royale) I've shifted to an ultralight setup that sometimes sinks to a wonderful sub-five base weight. My water system has gotten lighter…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted September 29, 2016
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Backpacking Gear Updates - 2016

Over the last few backpacking posts I've mentioned that my pack has been getting lighter. I'm still pretty new to traditional backpacking, with only twelve adventures over the last year, and it's taking some time for me to understand my gear and comfort level. My first trip out on the Cabin Loop had…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted July 18, 2016
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Spending the Night on Flatiron

Hot sun over Flatiron

The thermometer on the car read 112 when I stepped out into the parking lot in Apache Junction. Hot air rushed over me, feeling more like an oven than not, and I took an unsteady breath in. I was about to tackle a hike that I probably should not in temperatures that I probably should avoid and I was…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted July 13, 2016
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Hiking Gear

For six years I've been slowly building up a collection of hiking and camping gear. Christmas gifts helped with much of this, though at times I would venture out and pick up something from a sporting goods store when finances and the wife would allow. I used this gear for a variety of deep woods…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted August 21, 2015
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Activity Stream

  • Read 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King.
  • Read Elantris (Elantris, #1) by Brandon Sanderson.
  • Read It by Stephen King.
  • Read Mistborn Trilogy (Mistborn, #1-3) by Brandon Sanderson.
  • Read Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson.
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