Timeline

I started at the northern terminus at noon, and started the first uphill climb. I didn’t know what to expect, but thus far,

the Arizona Trail has easy and well marked terrain. I found the 1900 ft elevation to be relatively easy.

I camped on a weaving trail with a cloudy sky overhead; I awoke to a haunted forest fog. Hail fell intermittently, spattering the tent with a pleasant sound.

During the night, I decided my mountain lion friend is named Cedrick. My first thought when I heard the hail was that Cedrick was urinating on the tent to taunt me.

There’s full LTE coverage at this campsite, and for most of the surrounding area. I am tickled pink when there’s data coverage on the trail.

It feels so remote, but I could still make a video call were it necessary.

Eyes open. Darkness. I’m completely underneath the down quilt. I poke my eyes out of the warmth, and I see that the condensation on the inner wall of the tent has frozen.

Some has collected on the foot box, but not enough to wet the down feathers. It’s 6:45. The sun has risen, it’s time to get up.

The North Rim.

Finally. Here.

Joe got up later than he said he would. At 6:19, he declared, maybe I’ll see you on the trail today.

I, on the other hand, could barely move my left foot.

It was time. Time to leave the North Rim.

Either by foot or by shuttle, I was no longer content sitting still.

My thighs and quadriceps are burning. My calves are burning.

I feel everything that happened yesterday.

The closest town is only 0.2 miles off the trail. After getting up at sunrise and taking off, I wave goodbye to Robert’s tent wherein he remains fast asleep.

In town, I stop into Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice latte. I’m going to be far away from civilization for over 100 miles starting today, so let’s start out correctly with the proper amount of basic hipsterdom.

Upon returning to Tuscayan, it was already within an hour of sunset.

Although I could have camped immediately, starting off with no miles and 20 degree weather did not seem appealing.