For perspective about elevation/distance:
“Time Calculation: A common rule is that 1 hour of time for every 1,000 feet of ascent. Some hikers use a formula of adding 1.5 miles of effort per 1,000 feet of elevation gain.”
So, 5,500 feet of elevation gain is like hiking an extra 8.5 miles. So a twenty mile day on rough trails with that much elevation is like a 28 or so mile day.
The problem is not that I can’t hike hard miles. The problem is I am not ready for 90+ degree weather and multiple 20+ mile days with 4 liter water carries before getting trail legs.
The AZT with the heat wave and water sources drying up months early is moving from magical to miserable.
With that in mind we hiked to mile 427 and a junction and then took the City Creek Connector to get off trail at Doll Baby.
It was really warm. We carried three liters each down hill because there were not current water reports.
We had four-five days of food left.
We also had a shuttle scheduled to pick us up and hotel reservations. Happy6 made the call from the peak where there was cell service.
Yes. It was hot. We dropped down over 2,500 feet over about eight and a half miles (with a little elevation gain too) and we had some shade.
But now we’ve had showers and laundry and Mexican food. And a nap.
We fly home tomorrow.
I had a great time. We weren’t out long enough to get trail legs. We did great for no trail legs.
But I learned too.
We will see what comes next.
https://apnews.com/article/extreme-heat-arizona-southwest-nebraska-23f776d71f1b46f20cdbe251a61456cb
(Win Marsh as quoted is Happy6).