2018 AZTR300/750 Planning Thread

[kwaring]

Is it wise to bring hiking poles for the trek through the GC?

[ScottM]

If I get a little free time before start date I will check out snow conditions at Aspen Corner and post.  Appears to be drying up nicely around Flagstaff. 

That would be fantastic, thank-you Brad.

Looks like a typical spring heat up is heading this way later this week.  Near 90 predicted in Tucson (!).  That should melt some snow up north.  Hopefully a subsequent cooldown is on the way for the race start though...

[krefs]

I talked to a few Flagstaff folks yesterday, and they're currently riding up to 8,500'. Word is that Aspen Corner should be fine in 2.5 weeks if no more snow falls and it stays warmish. The descent off the  north side could still have a bit of snow, but it sounds like things are melting out steadily.

[Mtnrunner43]

I’m looking for a ride from Flagstaff to the start or at least Tucson. Anyone have room?


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[schillingsworth]

In 2016 there were only a few patches of snow on the north side of Humphreys, I'd expect a similar experience this year. It was the 25 down trees between Snowbowl Rd. & FR418 that were more of a hassle.

In re: to hiking poles in the Canyon. I don't think I could've done it without them. Sure saved my knees, but others have done it without poles. They were easy & light enough to carry the entire ride too. Very low weight penalty for me.

[krefs]

Another update from GCNP on the water situation in the Canyon. Apparently the transcanyon pipeline broke in multiple places, yet again:

Drinking Water in the Cross-Canyon Corridor
date updated Mar 16, 2018

On Friday, March 16, 2018 Grand Canyon National Park will begin phasing to Level 3 water restrictions and conservation measures due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. Until park staff repairs the break and water in storage tanks reaches sustainable levels, the park will remain in conservation mode.

Drinking water is available at the following inner canyon locations: Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and Indian Garden. The South Rim water bottle filling stations- including those at the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trailheads- are turned off.

[hanyo66]

Red Alert for me and my gang...

Unfortunately, Great Lakes Airlines cancelled our flight from Phoenix to Page. From Page we were taking a shuttle to Stateline to start our SOBO journey.

I can rent a car and drive to St. George in Utah for $45 (to drop off the car in Page was over $600!!!). I'd need a ride down to Stateline or just to House Rock Road or anywhere in a 20 mile radius from Stateline. Does anyone have any connections or know anybody or companies in St. George that can shuttle down that way?

[hanyo66]

Thanks to the quick help of John Schilling and Craig Fowler, I got my travel issues straightened out! Crisis averted.

[flyboy]

Just a quick question from a foreigner, in Australia there is NOTHING at all open on Easter Friday and Sunday. As in, you would be lucky to find a gas station open in a major city. Is this likely to be a problem for us racers over the Easter weekend or is it business as usual in the US?
Cheers.

Edit: Forget that one....I am a week late or early depending on how you look at it. 

[teamhalffastaz]

@mtnrunner43....I will be leaving Flag the afternoon (between noon and 2 pm) of Wednesday, April 4th.  I'm driving to Picketpost and the plan right now is to split a shuttle from Picketpost to Parker with another racer.  Are you interested in splitting that shuttle 3 ways with us?  My buddy may have to back out and in that scenario I would be looking to split the shuttle 2 ways with someone. 

Bill

[ScottM]

I just closed tracking registration for the Grand Depart.  Event is full.

ITT option is still available, but ITT means a different day not a different start time on April 5th.  Please, no ITTs on the same day as the group start.

[Enjoying the View]

Looking forward to some serious dot watching this year.  It appears to have another strong start list.  This route is definitely on my bucket list for someday. Good riding to all of you out there.

[Adam Alphabet]

Question Re: Snow Detours...

I know it's still early and we're waiting on conditions/weather. Once decided on which, if any are in effect this year are there GPS tracks for the snow detours or are they pretty easily navigable from the cues sheets off the race site?

[ScottM]

I'll publish GPX for the snow detours.  Here is the maximal set, from 2010, for reference:

http://topofusion.com/azt/gpx/2010/AZTR-2010-snowdetours.gpx

In general they are pretty straighforward -- usually just the nearest and only paved road.  Though the peaks detour is Hart Prairie Rd which is more like the nearest major graded road.

Goodness the forecast is looking hot for Thurs/Fri next week!

[Adam Alphabet]

I'll publish GPX for the snow detours.  Here is the maximal set, from 2010, for reference:

http://topofusion.com/azt/gpx/2010/AZTR-2010-snowdetours.gpx

In general they are pretty straighforward -- usually just the nearest and only paved road.  Though the peaks detour is Hart Prairie Rd which is more like the nearest major graded road.

Goodness the forecast is looking hot for Thurs/Fri next week!

Thanks Scott, It's nice to get all the GPS futzing out of the way early.

Carnage in the Canellos! stay hydrated everyone!

[panick]

Has anyone used the MTB project app on course? As a GPS backup?

[AZTtripper]

Has anyone used the MTB project app on course? As a GPS backup?

I noticed that they had last year's course a few months ago. I think there's a glitch in this years track, Gold canyon area. Short out and back. MtbProject has the glitch but not the reroute on Hewitt Station rd.

[davew]

I noticed that they had last year's course a few months ago. I think there's a glitch in this years track, Gold canyon area. Short out and back. MtbProject has the glitch but not the reroute on Hewitt Station rd.

That section you are looking at is a fence line up to a gate. I think the options are heave your bike over the fence or head up the fence line to a gate. That is if Im looking at what you are looking at.

[Jakob]

Hey all, the new kid on the block back in 2017 FINALLY finished his trip report.  It's long as hell, has lots of pictures, and can be found here:

https://bdbsoutdooradventures.wordpress.com/2018/02/12/my-2017-arizona-trail-race/

Maybe it'll help get some of you lucky saps doing it in 2018, more stoked up.  Yeah, yeah, that's the ticket:  I held off finishing my trip report so it'd be ready just before this year's event.

I really hope is that Rhino's grandma doesn't read it, track me down, and throat punch me in disgust.

Excellent write up Brian, with details that makes me remember the places you describe vividly. You were in the group I tried to keep behind me and you arrived in Payson same day I took off in the morning after a day off the bike. I had a pleasent ride with Ron from the North Rim to the Utah border :-) I have made a film about my experience: https://vimeo.com/217165619

[schillingsworth]

That section you are looking at is a fence line up to a gate. I think the options are heave your bike over the fence or head up the fence line to a gate. That is if Im looking at what you are looking at.

Dave is correct. The route has an option to either go over/through a barbed wire fence (strands are very loose, it's pretty easy to step through) OR follow singletrack north to a gate, then back down a dirt road. It appears as an out-n-back, but it isn't.

Both routes have been uploaded to Trailforks as well. Click on the 'save/wishlist' button above the map for each route. This will sync it to the app & appear in the 'my routes' section.

AZT300

AZTR750

Everyone getting excited?? One week to go....