2019 AZTR 300/750 Race Preparation and Planning Thread

[geekonabike]

Just saw this link on Twitter, It's a list of resupply & H2o resources:  https://oneofsevenproject.com/2018/01/16/arizona-trail-resupply-guide/

Just be aware like the guthook app it follows the full hiker/wilderness route.

[Todd]

I'm planning on doing the AZT300 again this year.  Made it as far as Gila river last time.  Going for Picket Post for sure this year.

[KuzmanAZ]

If you are wondering how snowpack and precip in AZ are shaping up, below are some links from NOAA's CO River Basin Forecast Center:

Maps of current status of AZ precip and other water data, updated Feb 17: https://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/dash/az.php  We've had a very wet February.

Snow Water Equivalent in Verde Basin in comparison to the 30 year median, updated on Feb 17:
Snotelsite https://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/station/sweplot/sweplot2.cgi?WHLA3+BKBA3+FRYA3+MRMA3-Verde?median.2019.2018

We are doing much better than last year, which was insanely dry. Snow water equivalent in the Verde is still pretty close to the 30 year median. Current snow water equivalent will definitely go up in the updated graphs this week with storms rolling through.

Anything can happen in March 

Looking at about a foot of fresh snow out my window right now.

[kblakeyshell]

Let me preface this by saying, a lot can change between now and April...

Myself and another guy are planning on touring the AZT route from Mexico to Utah starting the last week of March and into the first week of April. Because of that I have been watching the snow levels pretty closely. NOAA's interactive snow information page is the tool I have been using: https://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/html/map.html?ql=station&zoom=&loc=35.748+N%2C+114.423+W&var=ssm_depth&dy=2019&dm=2&dd=18&dh=20&snap=1&o9=1&o12=1&o13=1&lbl=m&mode=pan&extents=us&min_x=-114.49166666667&min_y=33.758333333329&max_x=-108.71666666667&max_y=37.008333333329&coord_x=-111.60416666667&coord_y=35.383333333329&zbox_n=&zbox_s=&zbox_e=&zbox_w=&metric=0&bgvar=dem&shdvar=shading&width=800&height=450&nw=800&nh=450&h_o=0&font=0&js=1&uc=0

You can pretty easily compare the last 15 years worth of info on snow quantities on different dates. North of the Grand Canyon on the Kaibab Plateau, the snowpack looks to be deeper right now than any year they have on record (data goes back to 2003). Luckily the snow pack isn't as bad (exceptional?) in the Flagstaff area this year compared to other high snow years.

Based on 2010 (the only year that comes close to as much snow north of the rim as this year on 2/18) there will likely still be substantial snowpack from the North Rim to at least Jacob Lake at the beginning of April. Obviously a lot can change between now and April but does anyone have words of wisdom? Is it basically impassable if the snow is deep (unless you have a fat bike and hit it at below freezing temps or have snowshoes/skis)? I have heard rumors the DOT start trying to plow out the Grand Canyon Hwy in April so would the road possibly be an option if the trail is impassable? Does the trail see any usage in the winter so that it gets packed in at all? How about the Grand Canyon Hwy, does it get snowmobile traffic so that the snow get packed in?

FWIW, I live in Northern Michigan and fat bike all winter so I am used to snow riding and have the gear to do it comfortably. I am just trying to plan ahead and figure out possible strategies we may be able to employ if the snowpack is still deep when we need to cross the Kaibab Plateau. I wasn't planning on riding my fat bike on the AZT and am hoping to come up with some other solutions/options if needed.

[AZTtripper]

The highway may not be an option anymore. Once the snow freezes you can ride a regular bike. Just plan on down trees and mostly utility cut. Once you drop into the entrance gate you should be able to jump the gate. Then ride the highway to Jacob Lake.

[tlane3of6]

I am committing to racing the AZTR750 starting at 7 am 4/18/2019.
My goal is under 10 days.

Thanks, Tom Lane

[krm]

Has anyone taken the AZT300_2019-rev2.gpx file into RidewithGPS and updated it with POI's for water supply stops, good camping spots, shopping, burritos, etc?

[schillingsworth]

Just so everyone is clear. Committing to the AZTR here is a cool way to see who all is interested, but it does NOT guarantee a slot on the starting lineup. Registration will open one month prior to the start, give or take a day or so. That's Scott's department. It will be communicated here, on the AZTR website and the main Facebook group.

A huge storm is currently slogging its way across AZ. It's been raining steadily moderate for hours at my house. The snow levels are down around 3000' which is a rarity in these parts. It's not expected to let up until sometime tomorrow morning. Areas up on the Mogollon Rim are forecasted to receive around 3 feet or more of snow!! It's been dumping in Flagstaff and I'm sure up on Mt. Lemmon. The desert is among one of the greenest I've ever seen it and I've been living here since '91. Wildflowers have been blooming since mid-December in parts and are nearing peak form. Expect the unexpected in April this year, should lend for some amazing stories and photos.

Happy planning!!!

[bmattingly]

John,

Happy to help.  Will plan to recon in late March and report what I find out for the Flagstaff area.

For those discussing snow depth we are getting pummeled in snow right now.  An unusual heavy storm has dropped 31 inches around Flagstaff today and snow is forecast to continue most of tomorrow.  I was digging out at my house for quite a while and am pretty tired now.  I think this snowpack may stick around a while at the higher elevation sections.  March is an unpredictable weather month for N. Az.   If the sun stays out consistently it may melt alot off before the ride.

I'll be watching you riders.  For those of you first timers its a good ride!!!!!

[schillingsworth]

Thanks Brad. Your intel will be most appreciated by all!! Better rest up for tomorrow's round of shoveling!!

[pokerface]

Hey ho! I'm doing the 350 this, my first ultra racing. I am a bit clueless about what kind of lighting do people use aside from the dyno hub/k-lite combo. I don't seem to read many discussions about it other than in passing. I read someone uses a Fenix PD35 from the previous year's thread.

I checked their website and that unit seems like a good choice for me but how do you mount it in your helmet? Cable ties?

I'm not sure if I want to invest in a dynohub+lighting because of the cost associated with it if I ship to Canada.


Thanks,

D

[geekonabike]

Hey ho! I'm doing the 350 this, my first ultra racing. I am a bit clueless about what kind of lighting do people use aside from the dyno hub/k-lite combo. I don't seem to read many discussions about it other than in passing. I read someone uses a Fenix PD35 from the previous year's thread.

I checked their website and that unit seems like a good choice for me but how do you mount it in your helmet? Cable ties?

I'm not sure if I want to invest in a dynohub+lighting because of the cost associated with it if I ship to Canada.


Thanks,

D

An Ebay or Amazon search for "cree t6" will turn up lots of low cost, very bright & decent run time lighting options. Hub vs battery option depends on how many hours per night you plan on riding. A single T6 with a 4 battery pack should get through one night if you use the brightest setting sparingly. Personally, I use the Hub generator & a small T6 flashlight strapped to helmet. You likly want your brightest light on the handlebars & helmet light just bright enough to site around tighter corners that a straight ahead handlebar mount misses. I've also used a LED headlamp by weaving the headstrap through helmet vents. Not ideal for trail, but serviceable. Very useful at camp.

[taprider]

hand sew a velcro strap that goes through your helmet vents
hand sewing is good skill to have on the trail

[Jeff Z]

Hey ho! I'm doing the 350 this, my first ultra racing. I am a bit clueless about what kind of lighting do people use aside from the dyno hub/k-lite combo. I don't seem to read many discussions about it other than in passing. I read someone uses a Fenix PD35 from the previous year's thread.

I checked their website and that unit seems like a good choice for me but how do you mount it in your helmet? Cable ties?

I'm not sure if I want to invest in a dynohub+lighting because of the cost associated with it if I ship to Canada.


Thanks,

D

dyno hub + light is definitely an investment. However, I found it to be invaluable on the 750. The constant source of electricity allowed me to ride as long as I wanted to into the night and charge a cache battery during the day. However, it is not really necessary for the 300.

For my 300 run this time, I'm planning to use a headlamp on lowish power and recharge it using a cache battery while sleeping. That should be fine for the 8ish hours of night riding I plan to do.

[Ahaughey]

Hey everybody!

I have a Spot Gen 3 tracker I'm selling.  Comes in the box with lanyard, CD, mini usb cord.

Asking $75 OBO.

SOLD!!

[schillingsworth]

I saw this morning that the AZT app has the Flagstaff detour loaded. This is on the full AZT map layer, not the bike route layer on the app. (That hasn't been updated and I don't know if there are plans to do so) I found the app very helpful during my 750 run a few years ago. Just keep in mind the bike route on the app isn't the AZTR750, it's close, but there are differences. Just an FYI.

[schillingsworth]

Re: lights. Dynamo is not necessary for the 300. I ran a helmet mounted MagicShine light with two battery packs. I did a lot of night riding during my mid-packish 4d finish in 2013. I rode until midnight the first 3 nights and through the night the final night out. No need to spend all that money on a dynamo setup for the 300. Now, if you plan to keep doing this kind of stuff and some of the longer events, you may want to consider it. I have one now and love it, use it all the time.

[Mateo]

See you in April!!!! I will be travelling from Ecuador to enjoy the Arizona desert

[schillingsworth]

Prepare for anything this year!!

Here's a shot from Saturday, view of Picketpost Mtn. from the Queen Creek crossing along the AZT about 1 1/4 mile north of the trailhead.

[Adam Alphabet]

Prepare for anything this year!!

Here's a shot from Saturday, view of Picketpost Mtn. from the Queen Creek crossing along the AZT about 1 1/4 mile north of the trailhead.

At least folks won't be thirsty! Awesome shot John!