Passage One Sept/Oct

imported
#1

Hello.

I’ve been following the board for awhile now and have finally decided to attempt the AZT as a lifer (it will likely take me a lifetime to finish).

Anyway, is there any reason that anyone knows of that I should reconsider a Sept 29, 30, Oct 1 hike on this first passage? (In case you’re wondering…yes, it will take me three days to hike 22 miles! :-))

I’m pretty familiar with this area as far as understanding the monsoon and temps since I’ve lived in Sierra Vista for a few decades, but I’ve never looked at it with a 3-Days-Backpacking eye, so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Debra

Debra

#2

Keep an eye on the weather before you leave, but no reason it shouldn’t be a great time to hike. I haven’t spent a fall in the state yet, but I would bet it’ll be free of snow. Look at the historic water info in Fred Gaudet’s water guide referenced on the ATA website for likely condition of water sources, and perhaps contact the Forest ranger or the Border Patrol (they spend a lot of time up there) for current info. There is a lot of illegal activity around there (no news to you, I’m sure), but I’ve never heard of a hiker having a difficult time because of it. Some hikers have been able to help out immigrants in trouble, too. The worst part of the experience is the mountains of litter along the trail and in the gullies before the summit of Miller. After that, it eases off. Good luck.

Garlic

#3

Those dates look fine, ie, post-monsoon & certainly pre-snow in the high country. Of course some lingering monsoon-type storms are still possible into early October of certain years, but it sounds like you’re up to speed on weather. If it’s a weak monsoon or early shut-off, you might consider starting earlier to maximize water availability.

Ditto Garlic’s other points. The trash is in direct proportion to the migrant traffic (not much trash in 2000, quite a bit more in 2004, and the affected area has also expanded somewhat since then).

blisterfree

#4

Thank you Garlic and blisterfree. I am pressing it with the monsoon, but am fortunate to have the freedom to change plans at the last minute. I did want to take advantage of the monsoon for the water, but I was a little concerned about the condition of the trail in some parts right after the season. I’ll contact the trail steward about that and I’ll definitely talk with the Forest Service and BP.

See, I’m glad I’m talking this out on the board because it made me think I should ask if the illegal activity is heavier on the weekends or weekdays (though in all my years here, I’ve only met illegals around my house or walking on the roads, never in the Huachucas or Santa Ritas or, well, any other mountains though there was this one night of suspicious activity in a campground in the Chiricahuas…it was either a vicious ring of drug runners or a group of boy scouts, I’m honestly not sure which. :wink: ).

My sis and I have hiked the first part of the trail from the pass to the border and they aren’t kidding about those wildcat trails. We got lost and ended up having to cross into Mexico for about a quarter mile until we could get off the little hill to the marker. That’s one of the reasons I’m planning a full three days for this hike…I get lost a lot.

Thanks much for your thoughts!

Debra

#5

Debra,
On this trail,I used a GPS for the first time in 11,000 miles of hiking. Maybe-- think about trying one. Not necessary of course and the hike can easily be done without one. But it was really fun to learn how to use it. I am in love with my GPS. I didn’t turn it on very much,but when it got confusing----nice to get input.
Marmot

marmot

#6

I was wondering if I should consider getting one. I actually got two last year, both Garmin, and took them back without ever using them on a trail. It’s worth considering again, though. I think my expectations were not realistic and I got frustrated. Now I’m thinking I don’t need anything fancy, just something to give me the coordinate for where I stand to compare to the AZT GPS data. Does that sound about right?

Debra

#7

If you do jump into the GPS world, do it some time before you’ll be applying it to real world situations. I enjoy using mine but found there is a learning curve.

Shawn

#8

You have a good point Shawn. I better get that show on the road.

Debra

#9

In general, a GPS (and knowing how to use it under adverse conditions) is a good idea on the AZT. I haven’t used one, but I definitely have been challenged and had a few adventures along the way. In Passage 1, the only place I remember some confusion was just past the summit of Miller, where there’s a huge use trail for illegal traffic continuing north where the AZT bends west, unsigned. It’s easy enough to follow the correct ridge there if you keep alert.

Otherwise, the GPS may be a good “sanity” check once in a while where you haven’t see a blaze in many miles. I agree with you that a basic unit without maps would work, just a “Go To” a waypoint function and a paper map, which you need anyway.

Like anything with batteries, learn to not depend on it and work on map and compass orienteering, too.

Garlic

#10

That Miller Peak area was one of my concerns. That seems to be mentioned a lot in hikers’ accounts.

I’ve been working on my map/compass ‘skills.’ I checked out a few books and found ‘Staying Found’ to be the most useful to me. I seem to do okay when in the comfort of my living room mentally reviewing how it should go, then I get outdoors and I’m all ‘is this even the right map?!’ Seriously, I’m that bad. The majority of the times I’ve gotten lost* I merely second-guessed myself. I would be going the right way, then I’d somehow convince myself it didn’t ‘seem’ right and I’d turn around and go back only to take a wrong trail. My sister even gave me a special bronzed whistle in its own wooden box with a little plate engraved ‘Hiawatha.’ :-/ I’m definitely in need of all the navigational aids I can manage.

*by lost I mean, off trail – sometimes even severely – but never (yet) ‘oh my gosh I have no idea where I’m at or how to get home’ lost

Debra

#11

I only get lost when I “know” exactly where I am or am going. So it’s good to have a way to ensure I’m on couse even when it doesn’t seem to be in question.

Shawn

#12

The AZT website offers downloadable GPS tracks for many of the passages. Learning to navigate by following a track could be a useful adjunct to map & compass, as well as your basic waypoint-confirmation/goto type use of GPS. A track will actually point the way ahead at each moment along the intended route, and will generally point you back en route if you run astray, reducing confusion at unmarked junctions or sections of vague trail. The choreography isn’t always 100% (between the screen pointer and reality), but if the source data is accurate, a track can offer extra assurance when navigation becomes challenging.

blisterfree