Arizona Trail: 5th Time's the Charm! What's in My Backpack?

[@paul7754]

You've enlightened my attitude of the 'elite' thru-hiker! Your gear breakdown was truly humble compared to all the 'gucci' expensive ultra-light gear others love to show us 'poors'. As a military surplus equipment user (I actually like it) I can appreciate where you put your money and where you say 'it works'. Looking forward to your 5th AZT videos! Subscribed - like your style 'dirt bag'!

[@calveshikes]

Thanks so much for the positive feedback! I appreciate the watch and the follow.. hope to see you out on trail someday. Happy trails!

[@ingridsarris4020]

Looks like you have a great year of hiking planned. I am looking forward to watching your adventures.

[@calveshikes]

@@ingridsarris4020 thanks so much for continuing to follow my adventures! Its going to be a fun year!

[@reaper_hikes]

Calves! Nice to see you’re back at it again. We thoroughly enjoyed our AZT thruhike last spring and would definitely consider doing it again. Hopefully we run into each other soon so I can buy you that beer I promised ✌️

[@calveshikes]

@@reaper_hikes Reaper! So good to hear from you! Yeah man got to finosh some unfinished business on the AZT. Id love to see you out on trail but if every make it down your way ill be in touch. Any plans for you this year?

[@reaper_hikes]

@ we’ll be back on the pct for certain sections. My friend and his wife are thruhiking this year so I’m gonna play Poppa Joe and shadow them for a few miles. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the different sections of the AZT.

[@calveshikes]

Thats sounds like fun man! Papa joe is actually on his way to AZ now. Yeah im exicted to back out on trail and document it as well.. ill be doing my favorite bits outside the canyon.

[@scottfisher8798]

That's awsome Stefan I will definitely follow you on your thru hike. You have me and two other hikers a ride into Superior in 2023, thank you! I'm still working on completing the AZT, but will be getting back on trail in Pine and plan on taking to the finish at the Utah border sometime this year.

[@calveshikes]

Hey bud! I remember that ride! Im glad your getting out there to finish. I as well will be finishing up a partial thru hike. So cheers to you and maybe see u out on trail. I seem to just pop out of cactus and mesquite some times, lol 😆

[@markturner4945]

Have enjoyed all of your AZT videos…I’ll be starting my AZT NOBO thru hike March 26 or 27. I’ve done a lot of east coast hiking…AT, BMT, LT…looking forward to a change of scenery! Can’t wait! Mark Turner (Bubblehead)

[@calveshikes]

@@markturner4945 hey bubblehead! 👋 thanks for your support 🙏 and for watching my videos! You're going to love the AZT! I look forwarding to meeting you in person! Happy trails! My guess is ill see you in patagonia! Maybe at terrasol!

[@jaguarsolo]

Thanks Stefan. An informative and enlightening video. Given the climate lately and the fact I live in the Old Pueblo, I am considering doing a NOBO in the spring to Mount Lemmon. Then a SOBO in the Fall. Thoughts?

[@calveshikes]

I think that a solid plan, it all depends on your departure dates for both but yeah that sounds good maybe see you on trail!?

[@jaguarsolo]

@@calveshikes I have no idea what month I would start the NOBO. ( the NOBO idea just came to me over the weekend). I Hate the cold and since I live down here I have a better support system for food and water. It is the SOBO that concerns me. If I start too early and it's trudging through mud, too late and there is no water. I will have no support system on the SOBO so I will have to stash water on my journey up to the Kaibab. Anyway, you will either see me on the trail or if I have completed my NOBO before you reach Tucson I would be more than happy to help in whatever way I can. On KZbin I am AZTat63. see ya out there!

[@calveshikes]

@jaguarsolo happy trails my friend ❤️

[@JeffersonDavis-d3x]

headed out for my second time up the azt soon!

[@calveshikes]

@@JeffersonDavis-d3x nice! You have a date i mind?

[@BackpackingStealth]

Could be wrong that your south bounding in Spring, if so wanted to inquire when your looking at starting? great info in the video

[@calveshikes]

@@BackpackingStealth yes southbound in the spring, im only doing 400 miles to finish up my last thru hike that got cut short. So ill be starting at Sunflower (highway 87) on march 7th. Ill be at the border by april 1st.

[@BackpackingStealth]

@@calveshikes thanks for the info, seems like as good of any as a spring timeline for that section. In complete irony i have the exact opposite left, sunflower north. The National park services with their short term notice trail closures has screwed me before. happy trails, maybe ill see you out there

[@calveshikes]

@BackpackingStealth yeah the snow levels have been below average but we just got some storms. I hope to see ya out there!

[@ABoyNamedJoe]

Hi Stefan. Going to be hiking the AZT starting March 1st. This will be my 1st thru hike so I'm pretty pumped. When you say it gets cold, I'm planning for low 30's overnight. Is this accurate or should I plan for lower temps than that?

[@calveshikes]

@ABoyNamedJoe im bringing a 15° degree bag as i expect it to get near that. Everything is about elevation when talking temps. We hit near freezing temps last week in phx only 1800ft. The lowest part of the trail is only 600ft lower than that. You will need a 15-20° bag for this trail regardless your start time. If you sleep warm bring a 20 if you sleep cold bring a 15. Most folks who bring a 30 regret it and some go home beacuse of it. Its weight worth carrying. I chose not to bring my 20 quilt and chose my 15°. Expect high teens as a possibility.

[@ABoyNamedJoe]

@@calveshikes Wow - that was fast! Thanks for the skinny on the temps. I'm going to swap my bag out for something rated for 15 degrees.

[@calveshikes]

@ABoyNamedJoe hope to see you on trail! Ill most likely see you around oracle is my guess!

[@ABoyNamedJoe]

@@calveshikes I'd love to meet you as well; however, I think any meeting will be way before Oracle. I go slow!

[@calveshikes]

@ABoyNamedJoe you never know, happy trails

[@christinadimauro7673]

Good deal, would you change anything in your set-up for the HDT?

[@calveshikes]

@@christinadimauro7673 HDT? Im not familiar with that term. Typo maybe?

[@christinadimauro7673]

@@calveshikesthe Hayduke…

[@calveshikes]

@christinadimauro7673 copy. id have more water carrying capacity. Other than that its the same kit. The hayduke is similar to the AZT temps wise. In the desert you never know what it will throw at u, ive been snowed on in july in the desert. You going for the hayduke after the AZT?

[@christinadimauro7673]

@@calveshikesI hiked the AZT a few years ago and figured I’d give the HDT a shot this spring and maybe the PNT this coming July. Have a great hike!

[@arlarl5122]

How have you done so much thru-hiking and have [admittedly] junk gear?

[@calveshikes]

I have been sponsored by companies so they have given me gear for free. I use the gear until i cant anymore.

[@calveshikes]

And its not junk ( just some things i dont like) the gear im carrying is good gear, but its also what i have, so i use it..

[@calveshikes]

@arlarl5122 "if it aint broken dont fix it"