AZT 750/300 2015 Planning

[ScottM]

Thanks for the continued call-in support, Joe.  Come grab a sticker from me and call-in with the highs and lows of the trail!

I just updated the tracker with everyone that has signed up to now.  Absolute last call for renting a tracker would be by bedtime tonight.  Will send out details to everyone renting later today.

I'm glad everyone is talking about the seriousness of water out there.  I think it's been covered well, but, yes -- do NOT rely on caches, or take gallons out of them.  I can confirm that last year the Freeman cache was empty at one time.  We met a hiker who ended up calling 911 because it was out.

Kurt nailed it with one other area you need to be careful at: climbing away from the Gila river.  River water is silty and probably has some mining remnants, but it has been tested and is safe to drink -- just don't drink it every day.  Also there are two reliable sources of fresh water near where the AZT climbs away from the river (both off trail by less than a mile).  There's absolutely no excuse for running out on that climb and before Picket Post.

One more area I want to talk about is Lemmon!  I was on course last year on Prison Camp / Molino and it seemed many racers were out or nearly out of water.  One racer's GF was there offering water to people.... then I got to the solar fed tank on the other side of Molino and saw water there!  There is also the pocket of water mentioned by Mark C above, which seems to be reliable.  It's a looooong climb up the mountain without water.  Plan ahead and carry more than you think you'll need.

I still owe 750ers a final word on snow detours.  Stay tuned for that.

[ScottM]

Early start ITTs:

Had a few questions about starting before the suggested time on Friday.  I usually ask that people not jump the gun if they are going to start on the suggested day -- though I do understand the temptation.  If folks want to ITT it and start at any time, best to do it on a different day.  Even if only +/- one day.  Seems like a couple people still end up jumping the gun anyway most years, which is OK, but it's kind of a courtesy thing to everyone else.

[ScottM]

Burritos / shakedown ride in Tucson:

If you're staying in Tucson on Thursday night, come join us for a shakedown ride and/or burrito.  We'll plan to leave from my house (1 mile west of I-10, near downtown) at 5pm (or 5:30 at the Genser Trailhead), do a 1.5 hour easy spin around Tucson Mountain Park trails, and then hit Seis Kitchen (http://www.seiskitchen.com/ for details and address) at 7pm for delicious burritos and pre-race banter.

[ScottM]

More notes from the RD:

* 2014 GPX files are current.  No changes to either route.

* Forecast is looking quite warm.  Plan accordingly for water.  Unless you know the route and the water sources (time to next...) carry much more than you think you need.  Also realize that water caches do run out and should not be relied upon absolutely. 

* Print out this water chart: http://www.fredgaudetphotography.com/aztrail/watercurrent.pdf   There are other water sources out there and they may save your thirsty lips.

* Please email me at smorris@topofusion.com if you scratch.  Better to be marked a scratch than have friends/family/onlookers wondering why you haven't updated for several days.  Even if you don't have a SPOT, please email me if you scratch.  Also, email me your finish time when you finish.  Otherwise I will pull a less precise time from the tracker.

* If you do end up hitting 911 or needing rescue, please do not indicate you are doing any sort of event or race.  You aren't.  Remember that you're out on the AZT, on your own, just as you would be any other day.

Some notes for 750 riders:

* Remember that there is no camping allowed in the Grand Canyon, unless you have a permit.  If you go to the backcountry office in the South Rim village, you can tell them you are doing the AZT (not the Arizona Trail Race!) and get a last minute permit to camp at Phantom Ranch in the "Private Stock Site."  I had to be a little insistent, but the lady at the office did eventually give us a permit to camp there.

* They are very serious about the no camping part, just as they are about the "wheels must not touch the ground" for carrying bikes through the canyon.  Absolutely no rolling of wheels.  They have enforced this aggressively in the past, and any violation jeopardizes our privilege of being able to carry bikes across, so this must be strictly followed.

* The only snow detour allowed for this year's 750 is on the North Rim.  There is likely some snow on the north side of the Peaks, but it's melting fast.  There is a GPX for the North Rim snow detour in the GPX directory if you need it.  But the detour is VERY easy: instead of following the AZT after attaining the North Rim, just take the Highway to Jacob Lake.  Then return to the AZT where it crosses HWY 89, east of Jacob Lake.

* If you are directed off the AZT (by signs or personnel) for logging or other official reasons, by all means, leave the trail and return as directed or as soon as it makes sense to return.  There are some indications of thinning operations near Hart Prairie possibly impacting the AZT.  Last year there was logging near Mormon Lake.  See this page for more on current conditions: http://www.aztrail.org/trailconditions.html

[ScottM]

Anyone (Flag locals?) disagree with the snow situation?  Based on my read of the snotel sites, I think everything should be OK, barring some snow on the west/north side of the Peaks.  It's melting fast and I don't think it's enough to warrant a bypass.

Mormon lake area should be fine.

North Rim will have some snow.  I encourage anyone to go for bonus points and ride the AZT (Ron Thomson did last year!!!), but the paved detour has been allowed every year of the race, so we will keep it in play regardless.

OK, that's enough from me.

[geekonabike]

One more Noob question. Are helmets mandatory? I understand advised & recommended, but do I have to?

[ScottM]

One more Noob question. Are helmets mandatory? I understand advised & recommended, but do I have to?

No gear required -- that's in the "rules."  Bike not even required -- have had a foot entrant in a past year! I'd say the routes has high potential for endo, and some exposure to traffic, so I'd recommend one.  But everyone is an adult and can accept the risks of this ride, helmet or no.

[Adam Alphabet]

Any Tucson locals recommend a decent hotel, or a good area of town to stay in close to good restaurants. Looking for high quality/organic food if possible.

I'll be staying Tuesday and Wednesday night before getting on a shuttle Thursday.
Thanks in advance everyone getting fired up!

[dream4est]

There is also water on the initial part of the Lemmon climb, its to the right of the road and slightly below in Bear Canyon, which goes on for a bit with nice trees and shade before the road turns back to sunny climbing . Problem is the water is is different spots each year, unlike Molino. Best bet is about 100 yards after entering the canyon on a slight right hand sweeper. Keep looking and ride close to the guardrail.
If one was smart, they would carry a lot from Italian Trap or West Spring or Molino or Bear Canyon as Palisades spigot can be broken and its still a bit to Summerhaven.

[Flagster]

Was on the trail N of Flagstaff today and not much snow left north of the peaks...been hitting 70 here the last few days.
There was a bit up above where the AZ trail crosses Shultz Pass Road but I can't see it being there next week...maybe a few shaded areas but 60s are forecast for the near future...

[krefs]

One racer's GF was there offering water to people....

What's the story with that being acceptable? This might be a good time to mention that natural/public water sources and the established/official AZT water caches are the only places to get water that's fair game. Racers' partners being on course and handing out water seems to cross that self-supported line.

[joeydurango]

Unless she sat there for the entire ~24 hour period it took to work through the entire field...   Equal opportunity!  (Joking, of course.)

[MQUINN80]

MQUINN80 AZT 300 2nd attempt, here...Rincon Valley market is still closed, correct? This was a huge stop on last years route. Anyone have a suggestion as to the next closest food/water cache in that area?

Also, any updates to Freeman cache or Tiger Mine TH cache? Not a fan of stopping in Oracle, though it sounds this year it may be necessary.

Cheers!

[krefs]

Rincon Market remains closed.

Food: Patagonia, Sonoita, off-route in Tucson (2 mi west on Tanque Verde), Summerhaven, Oracle.

Reliable water that I would personally count on: Patagonia, Sonoita, Kentucky Camp, La Sevila Picnic Area, Saguaro NP Visitor's Center, tank right below and east of Molino Saddle hike-a-bike, Summerhaven, Oracle, Gila River/Kelvin.

I wouldn't put faith in any other water sources/caches this year.

[MQUINN80]

Cheers Kurt! That just solidifies my game plan, much appreciated. I recently spoke with Nick Carmen about a Euro trip I’m putting together, want to get your ear on that Alps trip you took....offline.

Good luck to all 300/750 riders!

[ScottM]

Was on the trail N of Flagstaff today and not much snow left north of the peaks...been hitting 70 here the last few days.
There was a bit up above where the AZ trail crosses Shultz Pass Road but I can't see it being there next week...maybe a few shaded areas but 60s are forecast for the near future...

Great, thanks for the confirmation.  We'll go with the North Rim as the only snow detour.

[ScottM]

What's the story with that being acceptable? This might be a good time to mention that natural/public water sources and the established/official AZT water caches are the only places to get water that's fair game. Racers' partners being on course and handing out water seems to cross that self-supported line.

Right, it's not acceptable.  People knowingly out on course following the race and offering water -- no bueno.

[ScottM]

Also, any updates to Freeman cache or Tiger Mine TH cache? Not a fan of stopping in Oracle, though it sounds this year it may be necessary.

If anyone is intent on skipping Oracle, look into the Hijinks Ranch.  They are AZT user friendly and have water just above Oracle/American Flag.

[goyo]

OK, I thought this event (300) was later in the month; it looks like I can ride this year. I know it's a late decision, but what the heck. I'll be driving from Tucson to the start at Parker Canyon Lake on Thursday afternoon/evening, and I can carry two more with bikes, if anyone needs a ride. Now I just have to find a way back to my car from Superior.

I've bikepacked and ridden most of the sections so I know a lot of the trail. I'm not fast but want to give it a shot.

[ScottM]

Right on, welcome goyo.

There are rumors of tree clearing on 'the' Oracle Ridge.  A photo, of epic proportions, has also surfaced.  The pilot of this beauty of a bike is even rumored to be taking a 'whimsical' crack at the 300 himself.  He is the ATA steward of Oracle Ridge's segment -- an enviable position, indubitably.