I’m an experienced hiker. You did a great job of giving solid, practical advice with a comfortable charisma that I think will help people hike safe and smart. I just needed to watch a little to calm my mind about hiking this trail in winter. Thank you .
Thanks, John! In winter? More power to you. You're going to be great! It'll be cold, you know that, but the good news is that you can bail out anytime if you need to. Happiest of trails and take care of yourself put there 🌵
@@mjwilds I can’t currently control when I start, so it looks like winter or not at all. And exactly: you can always bail out when it’s moronically un-fun or you think it’s getting dangerous. (-4° is the coldest I’ve packed and slept out in…but that was always fairly close to towns I could flee to. I’ll carefully check the average weather data and the actual weather as I go). Thanks again.
Omg, thanks! I just want folks to know that they don't have to look any certain way to get out there. And that they can do it even if they don't have a $500 baby backpack 😂 Happy trails, James!
You rock! We'll done and informative. You have a great personality that shines through with great tidbits but you keep on track with the main subject. I'm going to have to watch more of of your videas, maybe join the secret admirers club.
Melissa,, I really enjoyed your video. In 1988, as a college student and backpacker, I was recruited as a volunteer by Dale Shewalter, the Flagstaff schoolteacher and founder of the Arizona Trail, and I have been addicted to the Trail ever since. For myself personally, to hear about experiences, observations, and suggestions for and by thru-hikers like yourself is nothing short of fascinating and gratifying. The insights into the psychological, physiological, and logistical challenges and rewards are incredibly interesting to hear. Again, congratulations on your successes, and thanks for sharing your video and experiences. Eric Smith, Prescott, AZ
Hi Eric, wow! AZT royalty! Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your experience/origin with the AZT. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to formulate the trail and navigate it back then. Thank you so much for your work on an awesome trail 🍻 I'm sure it's pretty amazing to watch your baby (the trail) growing up. All the best and thanks again for your volunteer work and for reaching out. Happy trails, Eric🤘
Thanks for the response, Brenda! And thank you-- I admit it's easier to have a good attitude on camera... you should have seen me when I decided I'd rather die than drink cow poop water 🎭 happy trails!
Happy trails, Renee! These are just the things that I would want to know. Probably not for everyone, but sometimes it's nice to see a normie hiker 🤷♀️
Good info, thanks for sharing! I have some limited multi-day hike experience here in TX and am thinking about doing the AZ. A lot of videos, even the 'things you should know' type, gloss over details and this didn't. This video was full of great info.
You know, sometimes it really matters who is giving you info. Ultra fit, ultralite, ultra bro isn't for everyone, and that is a-okay. All the best on trail-- the AZT or life!
Woohoo!! With a start at that time you'll probably have some major HEAT. Remember to take midday shade breaks if it gets too toasty! Be safe and happy trails 🍻
@@mjwilds Thank you! After hearing you explain the water situation I’m not sure it’d do the whole thing, but there are some sections that look like nice 1-2 day hikes.
@@bodyofgratitude I totally get that. So many ways to do a hike! Water was tough sometimes but this year it seems like the water situation is going to be awesome-- so much snow this winter! Hike your own hike 🍻
Thanks for this video - and for being awesome. I have lived in AZ for 10 years and have not done this trail yet. I'm thinking of doing it in two week stints since thats all the time I can get off at one time. Maybe I'll start the first section at Mexico in March 2023.
Ahh thanks for your comment. Two week stints would be a wonderful way to hike the trail! You could see the AZT in all seasons-- something that thru hikers don't get to experience. All the best, kickstand 🍻
Thank you. No we are just doing about 10 days in winter. That is the only time my hubby has off. So end of Jan. First of Feb. any thoughts? Where to start and stop?? Because I am having a hard time figuring out where to do 10 days in the winter. 😆
Brrrr! I love the entire stretch from Picket Post (Superior) to Oracle. Gorgeous desert, pretty cruisey in some stretches, and no sky islands to climb and sleep in the freezing temps. Obviously do your research, though. I think the azt is deceptively cold.
Howdy! I slept with my backpack in my tent/shelter. Bear cans aren't required in the desert and for much of the journey there won't be trees to hang bags on. No problems with any critters except for rodents in popular places (Grand Canyon). Happy trails! 🥾
Used to be hiking was a solitude undertaking to get away from the grind of regular life and immerse yourself in nature - hopefully for some - away from people too. Social media and the last 2 generations that grew up with and embraced it have changed that experience. It seems 'sharing' your solo hikes have become 'interesting' to others - hard to figure if it's narcissism or not. Well - to each their own but I prefer to leave the 'grind' and social interface behind and let myself be free for a while. Good video on trail basics! See many dogs?
I hiked with someone's pup for a few hundred miles in 2019. I saw one in 2021 as well! The heat was hard, but doable if you carry lotsss of water or start early spring or late fall. Solitude is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. There are 8 billion people on earth now and in 1990 there were only 5 billion. Kinda hard to get away from people on thru hikes, I think. I agree with you-- to each their own. If it's narcissistic, well, each generation is only a product of the culture that created them. Happy trails, Paul!
@@mjwilds '..culture that created them.'(?) I believe it's the other way around. People create culture(s). People can also choose different or no cultures to participate in. I was hinting that so many people these days seem driven to do things just for the sake of showing off/sharing on social media - (not singling you out) but that is the current popular culture isn't it? Tread Lightly MJ! 👍
I so agree with hike your own hike. There is more than one blogger/ hiker who go on and on about those who don’t stay on the red line. Drives me crazy.
Honestly it's just totally pretentious to assume anyone else has the same ability/experience/financial backing as you do. Team HYOH!! Thanks for the comment, Kimberly 🍻
A Divemaster I can always spot the most inexperienced divers flying across the reef. Experienced divers swim slowly and will see 90 percent more. The same holds true for hiking. I'm never impressed with fast hikers. Most are only seeing the broad landscape and missing out on details. Understandable if there are time constraints, but otherwise... knock yourselves out and see you at the end:)
Great point! Part of the joy is moving slowly through a landscape. My favorite dives have always been the ones where I sit in one spot to hang out with an animal (without touching). Do you have any favorite dive location recommendations? My favorite dives were in the Red Sea in Egypt-- the soft corals were healthier and more beautiful than anywhere I've ever seen.
I haven't been everywhere but... Red sea is definitely great where it's not damaged by too many divers. Okinawa... Great hard and soft corals in different locations. Indonesia.... Again on wall areas that are pristine. I guess I prefer the South Pacific. Raj Ampat should be amazing but I haven't been there. The Andaman sea has some great diving in more remote liveaboards but there's a lot of coral bleaching and sites which used to be great are wastelands now. As you know every place offers something new to see though even if it's not a spectacular reef. Thanks for your videos. I enjoy them.
Honestly I'm probably the last person you want a gear list from. I FREEZE and I've been known to pack watercolors and a camera 😂 but here are the basics of what I will pack next time: Osprey Eja backpack Enlightened Equipment sleeping bag (NEVER AGAIN WITH THE QUILT BRRRRR) Platypus filter: my pride and joy Big Agnes Copper Spur UL tent Sleeping pad of choice Pocket Rocket Titanium pot Small fuel canister 2 Smart water bottles 2.5 liter bladder Warm puffy coat A funky outfit or something non-chafing Sunnies, hat, SUNSCREEN It all depends on your preferences as a hiker. Send stuff home in the mail when you bring too much 🤗 Happy trails!
Haha...I have lots of experience with bikepacking. This will be my first thru-hike. Always interesting what different folks find essential. Thanks again for sharing your gear and insight!
@@TheDeafNomad. you've probably already got it pretty dialed if you're a bikepacker. Make sure you pack some heavy ass glass bottles of ginger beer for me out there on trail 😂🍻
As of 3 years ago I found it to be well marked in conjunction with the Far Out App. Some folks used paper maps in 2021, and they did go the wrong way a few times. I wish I could be more specific, but I work in the trail-less wilderness of Alaska so any trail is a good trail to me. Have an awesome time out there if you're gearing up for a spring thru🍻
FarOut (Guthook) has twice logged me out of my account when I'm out of cell service, and I could no longer access my created route. I couldn't log back in until I hit service again. So carry a backup map, always!
Great tips! Thanks again, Treats! "Don't be a dick," of course, should apply off the trail, too. I have to say I never really got the ravenous hiker hunger, but I did get hiker thirst--spent a lot of hiking time thinking about a giant gas station fountain Coke. - Rock Dogg
How many pairs of shoes did you use on the trail , I hiked the AT and I went through a pair about every 4 -5 hundred miles so I'm thinking 2 pairs for the AZT.
Awesome on the AT! I've never hiked in the East, but I hear you've gotta have some mental fortitude to hike hundreds of miles of tree-tunnels. I've always used 2 pairs, but I do tend to wear down shoes quickly. Happy trails!
Wear whatever you're comfortable in! You can always stop off in Tucson to get different shoes if you need more support. I did my last hike in Hokas. Happy trails :)
@@mjwilds For sure, to each their own. I just think some would be happier with a lighter pack and blanket statements like that might discourage them. To you as well :)
![SAFEPLANET - ดาวเคราะห์ [ THE PLANET ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X1XL3I_k3c/mqdefault.jpg)
I’m an experienced hiker. You did a great job of giving solid, practical advice with a comfortable charisma that I think will help people hike safe and smart. I just needed to watch a little to calm my mind about hiking this trail in winter. Thank you .
Thanks, John! In winter? More power to you. You're going to be great! It'll be cold, you know that, but the good news is that you can bail out anytime if you need to. Happiest of trails and take care of yourself put there 🌵
@@mjwilds I can’t currently control when I start, so it looks like winter or not at all. And exactly: you can always bail out when it’s moronically un-fun or you think it’s getting dangerous. (-4° is the coldest I’ve packed and slept out in…but that was always fairly close to towns I could flee to. I’ll carefully check the average weather data and the actual weather as I go). Thanks again.
I love your message of be kind to others. Understanding others is something sorely missing sometimes.
Thanks-- everyone wants a place out there and everyone wants to feel welcome. Happy trails 🍻
I am researching AZT trail for my first time. I loved how positive you are and great info. Made some notes! TY for this😎
Woohoo I'm guessing you're planning a spring nobo? Epic :) thanks for the kind words. I hope you have an awesome time out there 🍻
I loved this video. You're very cool and you have kept it real. I love how you emphasize "hike your own hike". Too many get caught up in others' egos
Omg, thanks! I just want folks to know that they don't have to look any certain way to get out there. And that they can do it even if they don't have a $500 baby backpack 😂 Happy trails, James!
Straight and to the point, no chaser. Excellent information and delivery. You have a new subscriber!
Nobody needs a chaser. Thanks Laidback Traveler. Good luck if you plan to head out on trail this year 🍻🍻
You rock! We'll done and informative. You have a great personality that shines through with great tidbits but you keep on track with the main subject.
I'm going to have to watch more of of your videas, maybe join the secret admirers club.
Hahaha this is a super kind comment. Thank you Zak! Happy trails to you 🍻
You put a smile on my face with this video. Thank you!
Howdy Keith, thanks for the kind words! Happy trails out there 🍻
Melissa,, I really enjoyed your video. In 1988, as a college student and backpacker, I was recruited as a volunteer by
Dale Shewalter, the Flagstaff schoolteacher and founder of the Arizona Trail, and I have been addicted to the Trail ever since.
For myself personally, to hear about experiences, observations, and suggestions for and by thru-hikers like yourself is nothing short of fascinating and gratifying.
The insights into the psychological, physiological, and logistical challenges and rewards are incredibly interesting to hear.
Again, congratulations on your successes, and thanks for sharing your video and experiences. Eric Smith, Prescott, AZ
Hi Eric, wow! AZT royalty! Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your experience/origin with the AZT.
I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to formulate the trail and navigate it back then. Thank you so much for your work on an awesome trail 🍻 I'm sure it's pretty amazing to watch your baby (the trail) growing up.
All the best and thanks again for your volunteer work and for reaching out.
Happy trails, Eric🤘
Thank you for taking your time to creating this video! I found it super helpful and am exciting for my upcoming AZT adventure.
Woohoo, have fun out there, Meredith! Say hello if you see me on a section out there :)
Love your attitude. Enjoyed the info. I'm looking into hiking the AZT
Woohoo! Thank you. Enjoy the trail, whenever you make it out there 🏜
So informative 👏💯‼️
Good video. Watch this if you're considering hiking the AZT. Very well done 😊. I'll be out there soon.
Woooot! Have an awesome time out there. Might cross paths if you're around the Grand in December :)
Thank you so much for sharing your information about the AZ trail. You have a wonderful attitude.
Thanks for the response, Brenda! And thank you-- I admit it's easier to have a good attitude on camera... you should have seen me when I decided I'd rather die than drink cow poop water 🎭 happy trails!
I just stumbled upon this gem video. Thank you kept it simple and Real.
Happy trails, Renee! These are just the things that I would want to know. Probably not for everyone, but sometimes it's nice to see a normie hiker 🤷♀️
@@mjwilds omg yes a normie is very contagious truly.
A true Ambassador for the AZT , Very interesting and informative video, Job well done kid.
Woohoo! Thank you so much 🍻
Terrific! Great video and perfect summary at the end.
Howdy Steve, thanks for the comment! Maybe I'll see you out there this spring? Happy trails 🍻
Good info, thanks for sharing! I have some limited multi-day hike experience here in TX and am thinking about doing the AZ. A lot of videos, even the 'things you should know' type, gloss over details and this didn't. This video was full of great info.
Thank you! I hear backpacking in Texas can be it's own special beast. I'm sure you're already accustomed to rattlesnakes. Happy trails out there 🍻
I really enjoyed this video. It was informative and inviting. Thank you.❤
Howdy Janmariolle, thank you for the kind words. Happy trails to you 🍻
Your so honest and full of knowledge , thank you for your service. One of the best ,is how your sweater match the bush behide ya .😉. 👍😇🇺🇸
Thank you, Ben! If you're not honest about the trail you aren't helping anyone, right? Have fun ou there and happy trails to you 🍻🤘🥾
Great info. Thanks much. I really like your authenticity, and your humor.
Thank you!!
This information coming from a woman is great to hear thank you for sharing
You know, sometimes it really matters who is giving you info. Ultra fit, ultralite, ultra bro isn't for everyone, and that is a-okay. All the best on trail-- the AZT or life!
Going to hike the AZT next spring - my first thru hike (over 80km). Thanks for the tips ☺️
Woooohooo! Have a blast, it's a ride 🍻🤠
Going to start my thru hike next week. Can't wait.
Woohoo! Hike your own hike and have a ball 🤠🍻🍻🍻
Also love the user name-- I worked in Denali for 6 years, I actually got stuck across the Teklanika River (same one as Alex) near the Alaska Range.
@@mjwilds
I'll get there too...eventually.
Merrell Moabs ✅
Leukotape ✅
Dry yo feets ✅
I knew you were a smart cookie! 😝
No feets like dry feets.
Awesome Video! going to thru hike the AZT around mid April this year... stoke is up!!!
Woohoo!! With a start at that time you'll probably have some major HEAT. Remember to take midday shade breaks if it gets too toasty! Be safe and happy trails 🍻
@@mjwilds yeah!!! unfortunately i cant start before mid April... but i will probably do more night time action then. Happy trails!
@@florianfrey2002 great idea! I night hiked a few times in 2019 when I started later (and it was stupid hot) and it was a game changer. 🍻🌵
Great information on the AZT. Well done. Nice channel. New follower here. Crow✌️
Howdy Crow! Great name. See ya out there on the open trail :)
You are lovely. Thank you for sharing your tips!
Thanks Crystal! Have fun out there whenever you make it on trail! 🍻
@@mjwilds Thank you! After hearing you explain the water situation I’m not sure it’d do the whole thing, but there are some sections that look like nice 1-2 day hikes.
@@bodyofgratitude I totally get that. So many ways to do a hike! Water was tough sometimes but this year it seems like the water situation is going to be awesome-- so much snow this winter!
Hike your own hike 🍻
@@mjwilds you’re so right! A prime year for water!
Thanks for this video - and for being awesome. I have lived in AZ for 10 years and have not done this trail yet. I'm thinking of doing it in two week stints since thats all the time I can get off at one time. Maybe I'll start the first section at Mexico in March 2023.
Ahh thanks for your comment. Two week stints would be a wonderful way to hike the trail! You could see the AZT in all seasons-- something that thru hikers don't get to experience. All the best, kickstand 🍻
Second to that idea.
Thank you. No we are just doing about 10 days in winter. That is the only time my hubby has off. So end of Jan. First of Feb. any thoughts? Where to start and stop?? Because I am having a hard time figuring out where to do 10 days in the winter. 😆
Brrrr! I love the entire stretch from Picket Post (Superior) to Oracle. Gorgeous desert, pretty cruisey in some stretches, and no sky islands to climb and sleep in the freezing temps. Obviously do your research, though. I think the azt is deceptively cold.
Your so sweet; thank you for this upload!
Everybody needs a trail pal, right? Thanks and I'm sending good vibes from the red rock desert 🍻
@@mjwilds 🙂🙃🙂🍻 cheers!
Thanks for sharing! Can you share a bit on your food storage in AZT? Did you carry bear canister or something else? Thank you for your time!
Howdy! I slept with my backpack in my tent/shelter. Bear cans aren't required in the desert and for much of the journey there won't be trees to hang bags on. No problems with any critters except for rodents in popular places (Grand Canyon). Happy trails! 🥾
@@mjwilds Got it! Thank you!!!
Used to be hiking was a solitude undertaking to get away from the grind of regular life and immerse yourself in nature - hopefully for some - away from people too. Social media and the last 2 generations that grew up with and embraced it have changed that experience. It seems 'sharing' your solo hikes have become 'interesting' to others - hard to figure if it's narcissism or not. Well - to each their own but I prefer to leave the 'grind' and social interface behind and let myself be free for a while. Good video on trail basics! See many dogs?
I hiked with someone's pup for a few hundred miles in 2019. I saw one in 2021 as well! The heat was hard, but doable if you carry lotsss of water or start early spring or late fall.
Solitude is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. There are 8 billion people on earth now and in 1990 there were only 5 billion. Kinda hard to get away from people on thru hikes, I think. I agree with you-- to each their own. If it's narcissistic, well, each generation is only a product of the culture that created them.
Happy trails, Paul!
@@mjwilds '..culture that created them.'(?) I believe it's the other way around. People create culture(s). People can also choose different or no cultures to participate in. I was hinting that so many people these days seem driven to do things just for the sake of showing off/sharing on social media - (not singling you out) but that is the current popular culture isn't it? Tread Lightly MJ! 👍
I so agree with hike your own hike. There is more than one blogger/ hiker who go on and on about those who don’t stay on the red line. Drives me crazy.
Honestly it's just totally pretentious to assume anyone else has the same ability/experience/financial backing as you do. Team HYOH!! Thanks for the comment, Kimberly 🍻
A Divemaster I can always spot the most inexperienced divers flying across the reef. Experienced divers swim slowly and will see 90 percent more. The same holds true for hiking. I'm never impressed with fast hikers. Most are only seeing the broad landscape and missing out on details. Understandable if there are time constraints, but otherwise... knock yourselves out and see you at the end:)
Great point! Part of the joy is moving slowly through a landscape.
My favorite dives have always been the ones where I sit in one spot to hang out with an animal (without touching). Do you have any favorite dive location recommendations? My favorite dives were in the Red Sea in Egypt-- the soft corals were healthier and more beautiful than anywhere I've ever seen.
I haven't been everywhere but... Red sea is definitely great where it's not damaged by too many divers. Okinawa... Great hard and soft corals in different locations. Indonesia.... Again on wall areas that are pristine. I guess I prefer the South Pacific. Raj Ampat should be amazing but I haven't been there. The Andaman sea has some great diving in more remote liveaboards but there's a lot of coral bleaching and sites which used to be great are wastelands now. As you know every place offers something new to see though even if it's not a spectacular reef. Thanks for your videos. I enjoy them.
I'm planning my first AZT thru-hike. This was extremely helpful. Will you mind posting your full gear list? Thanks in advance!
Honestly I'm probably the last person you want a gear list from. I FREEZE and I've been known to pack watercolors and a camera 😂 but here are the basics of what I will pack next time:
Osprey Eja backpack
Enlightened Equipment sleeping bag (NEVER AGAIN WITH THE QUILT BRRRRR)
Platypus filter: my pride and joy
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL tent
Sleeping pad of choice
Pocket Rocket
Titanium pot
Small fuel canister
2 Smart water bottles
2.5 liter bladder
Warm puffy coat
A funky outfit or something non-chafing
Sunnies, hat, SUNSCREEN
It all depends on your preferences as a hiker. Send stuff home in the mail when you bring too much 🤗
Happy trails!
Haha...I have lots of experience with bikepacking. This will be my first thru-hike. Always interesting what different folks find essential. Thanks again for sharing your gear and insight!
@@TheDeafNomad. you've probably already got it pretty dialed if you're a bikepacker.
Make sure you pack some heavy ass glass bottles of ginger beer for me out there on trail 😂🍻
Hey great video but how good is the AZT marked is it a fairly good blazed trail.
As of 3 years ago I found it to be well marked in conjunction with the Far Out App. Some folks used paper maps in 2021, and they did go the wrong way a few times. I wish I could be more specific, but I work in the trail-less wilderness of Alaska so any trail is a good trail to me.
Have an awesome time out there if you're gearing up for a spring thru🍻
FarOut (Guthook) has twice logged me out of my account when I'm out of cell service, and I could no longer access my created route. I couldn't log back in until I hit service again. So carry a backup map, always!
Why does everybody pronounce it as “Guthooks” when it’s clearly just “Guthook?” Lol. Anyways, excellent video! Thank you!
You seriously piqued my interest in the AZT 🤙
I honestly never considered it before
Woohoo! If nothing else you gotta go see the saguaros.
All the best from the desert, El Arr 🌵🌵🍻
3 water filters and 2 gallons of water heavy but it's worth it - many areas not much water !
Your sweater is so cute! Where did you get it?
Thanks! American eagle 2 years ago. Wish I would have bought 2
I subscribed to you just based on this video. Haven't watched any others. "Don't be a dick" amazing
Hahaha it's a basic principal 🍻🌵
Great tips! Thanks again, Treats! "Don't be a dick," of course, should apply off the trail, too. I have to say I never really got the ravenous hiker hunger, but I did get hiker thirst--spent a lot of hiking time thinking about a giant gas station fountain Coke. - Rock Dogg
For me it was lemondade. Could never get enough ice cold lemondade. Thank you Rock Dogg, hugs and loves from AK!
How many pairs of shoes did you use on the trail , I hiked the AT and I went through a pair about every 4 -5 hundred miles so I'm thinking 2 pairs for the AZT.
Awesome on the AT! I've never hiked in the East, but I hear you've gotta have some mental fortitude to hike hundreds of miles of tree-tunnels.
I've always used 2 pairs, but I do tend to wear down shoes quickly. Happy trails!
Thanks!
Hint, homemade jerky. 40+ year Az hiker. '90 Lumberjack here
thank youuuu
Woohoo!
14:00 I needed this laugh
We gotta talk about these things 😂 happy tails!
These trail runners don't seem a lot different from running shoes. Can I wear my Brooks running shoes?
Wear whatever you're comfortable in! You can always stop off in Tucson to get different shoes if you need more support. I did my last hike in Hokas. Happy trails :)
Mountain lions - bobcats -coyotes -Wolves - bears - southern Arizona jaguars - deer - elk - antelope ectectect
Love the animals 🙏
@@mjwilds I DO LOVE ANIMALS AND LOVE ARIZONA
Dont forget coatimundi, desert tortoises, scorpions, California Condors and bison.
anybody have an estimate for how much a shuttle vs trail angel would cost?
Check the fb page for up-to-date info 🤗
0:05 nope I did not know that
Hahahaha no judgement. Now you know.
psst*ultralight doesn't have to be expensive*
Maybe, but the point is you don't need to comment on or shame other people's gear. Happy trails, Tobias 🍻
@@mjwilds For sure, to each their own. I just think some would be happier with a lighter pack and blanket statements like that might discourage them. To you as well :)
Thank you for this awesome and informative video!!
Happy trails 🍻
@@mjwilds You too!!