7 Weeks, 250 Miles, 2 Tired Hikers 02/14/2008
After Walking over 250 miles in 7 weeks Molly and I have decide that we are done hiking the AZT. Due to the Unusually wet winter and incredible amount of snow, Mother Nature has beaten us. More storms and more and more snow have made for very slow going. Our last section was supossed to be 100 miles in two weeks. Well after two weeks we only made it 40 miles. Exhuasted and almost out of food we hiked out of the Mazatzal Wilderness to Rye, AZ and hitched a ride back to Flagstaff. Skipping farther south on the trail seams futile as there are many mountain ranges to cross before we reach Mexico. Also the lower elevations are very muddy and still slow going, plus the constant threat of Flash floods in may of the passages. We feel proud of doing as much as we did and may one day return to finish the trail, though probably during the months recommended in the guide book. We took a gamble that it would be a normal dry arizona winter. We lost that bet. The T-shirt sales are going really well. Looks like we will have a nice donation for the AZT association. Thanks to everyone who kept tabs on us. Special thanks to our sponsers and everyone who bought a t-shirt to help supoport the trail. Do check back soon for more pictures and stories about the final segments of our adventure. |