Category: Uncategorized
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An Update from Summerhaven Arizona
I did make it over Mount Mica. Two young guys came through and led the way which made it a lot easier for me as I didn’t have to do all the route finding and breaking trail in the snow. After checking a number of times and always finding their tracks spot on, I followed…
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Senses on the Trail
Today I thought about senses a lot. I am grateful to have all the ones I have, even if some are diminishing with age. My eyes are allowing me to see such incredible sites. Besides the millions of flowers and absolutely awe inspiring saguaro cactus I see truly dark star skies at night and sunsets…
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Hiking my own Hike
So today was a really good lesson on hiking your own hike. In hiker lingo its referred to as HYOH. I started the day in pretty good spirits. Although my knees were bothering me, I was making good time. I thought certain people were behind me as I took a break at the first water…
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Patagonia to Grass Shack
I’m currently sitting out a storm in a backcountry campsite in Saguaro National Park about eighty miles north of Patagonia. By the time I get to where I can post this I will be another fifty miles up the trail. After Patagonia, I hiked a few longer days, leapfrogging with a number of hikers. I…
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Falling and trail angels on the AZT
I laughed when I reached the age where doctors asked me if I had any falls recently. I always fall on my hikes but I don’t think those are the kind they mean. I had my first fall on the second day out and thought about how glad I was that I knew how to…
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Thoughts on day 3
Some people often tell me I’m running away from life by hiking. But I really think that this is about is real as it gets. Every day I walk with no distractions such as TV or computer. I can’t just pick up the phone and call someone, I can’t eat whatever I want to distract…
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AZT Day 2
Finally about three in the morning my headache dissipated. I got a little better sleep after that, but the sun is up here by about six and it’s dark by seven PM so I didn’t sleep for long. I wanted to get an early start to be able to reach the next water camp spot…
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Day 1 on AZT
I stayed the night of the 20th in a camper with my friend who then dropped me off in Sierra Vista. There I met a trail angel who drove me to the closest place I could access the trail. We couldn’t go to the normal starting place because the road was under construction, so I…
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Badass Happiness
Thanks to Mary Badass I had a new experience today. I had an interaction with someone who had been upset with me. I did my best to explain the meaning of my words and I told them I was open to hearing whatever they wanted to tell me. In fact I welcomed hearing from them…
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More Pre Trip Ponderings Along the Road
As promised, here are more of my pre trip ponderings inspired by Vermont’s muddy roads. As I drove home on those potholed filled roads I could not help but think about the importance of a good foundation. Each year when spring arises certain sections of Vermont’s dirt roads become almost impassable. Local road crews come…
The Mary Badass 