AZT 750/300 2017 Planning Thread

[Doutreloux]

Just got my fatbike wheels to my lbs this morning...asked them to add a few oz of of sealant in the tires! It looks like I'll be rocking the 750 on my Fatty this year🤠 Also added wool insoles, GoreTex socks and snow gaiters to my gear! Adventure baby!

[Robzilla_Killa]

Ha.

This just in from Dave:

67 - its closed. Not just closed but a firm it's closed. The adot told me while standing at the gate. Cited 67 is not ploughed and it's closed. I offered no info (re aztr 750) and I did not push the issue. I did not want to stuff it up for nobo riders.  There seemed to be a few adot utilities trucks around the place or maybe just one guy do a lot of driving and no work.

I asked around (to verify) and it appears there is still 3-4 feet of snow up on the top of 67 but they are expecting it to melt in the next couple of weeks with all the hot weather they are having

Hope this helps in some way.

Excellent recon, Dave, thanks.

My physical therapist just informed me that the north rim is closed for thru hike...She said rock slide.  here is a link... maybe call forest circus

http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2017/03/24/rock-slide-prompts-temporary-north-rim-closures/99604822/

I'd be out there with you guys if I didn't break the same arm I broke last year...same time of year

[jasonshearer]

A lot can happen in two weeks.  We are pretty lucky to have Dave going SoBo to give us some indication of what we might want to pick up in Flag or SoRim.

Pray for a heat wave.  The forecast is looking promising.

Jason

[dirtvato]

New message from Dave W-

"Road closed  - route 67. Riding to sierra vista. Heading that way anyway. Hope to start 750 with others.
Prob for the best as the knee is a minor issue. Getting better but still needs nursing.
Only 500 miles to go."

Looks like he's on 89 southbound nearing 160.

He's probably got a beer in hand and is smiling anyway!

[the tortoise]

My money is on Ron Thompson to figure a way through!

[jasonshearer]

Does the backcountry office on the south rim issue day of permits for walk-ins?  Asking for a friend's grandmother.

[elfreako]

I don't think a backcountry permit is required: Unless you plan on sleeping on the North Rim.

A backcountry permit is required for:
•overnight camping outside of Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, and North Rim Campground
•overnight camping in all sites at Tuweep Campground
•overnight camping anywhere on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park between Nov 1 - May 14 (includes ski-camping)
•off-river camping by river trip participants
•overnight camping with private stock outside of Mather Campground or outside of North Rim Campground (May 15 – Oct 31)
•packrafting, other than that which occurs under a river permit

****Rhino may need a bc permit as he may be walking with his grandma.

[jasonshearer]

You are correct.  Just making contingency plans for the north rim.

Does anyone have any experience with getting a backcountry permit on the south rim?

[Jeff Z]

I have gotten a backcountry permit on the morning of the start of a weekend hike. They would not let us get it for the area we wanted, since that area was "full", but we got a permit to stay elsewhere in the canyon.

What I've heard is that permits for Phantom Ranch can be tough to get, but I'm pretty sure John got one for Cottonwood on a walk in basis last year. I'd assume that there would be little to no demand for permits on the North Rim at that time, so should be easy. But that's just me guessing.

[rhino]

****Rhino may need a bc permit as he may be walking with his grandma.

fake news.
Grandma Helga doesn't walk anymore.
She RUNS!
...and said she's not waiting for me so I will be solo this trip.

[schillingsworth]

Jason,
I was able to secure a backcountry permit at the South Rim last year when I arrived. I decided to take a 1/2 day off, camped at Mather CG that night and had the permit for the following night at Cottonwood CG. I'm glad I did it that way, since I had shoe issues resulting in some rather uncomfortable blisters.

[ScottM]

I told Dave Wicks I'd consider highways 89/64 a 'snow detour' for his SoBo attempt (not that I recommend riding those roads, at all), so it seems he is going to return to the trail.  That means he'll return to his role as 750 guinea pig for ya'll in the big race this year.

I would be shocked if the Aspen Corner section melts out in time, and other sections (e.g. Mormon mountain) are also likely to be snow covered.  But we will wait and see.

[bmattingly44@yahoo.com]

Snowing last night, today and tonight in Flagstaff.  I will likely go check out the snow depth around Aspen Corner and post by Wednesday.  Will be intersting to watch the 750 this year.  Good luck to all.

[AliceD]

Looking for a ride (or ride share) from Tucson to Parker Lake campground on April 17th for ITT.

Please PM me. Thank you.

[davew]

Snow on Grand view lookout with more expected tonight. Snow and mud are the general trail make up.

It maybe time to prey to the deity of your choice for some very sunny days. The 300 is looking tempting at the moment.

89a was fun ?!? There was the descent from Jacobs lake
89 was not fun but at least drivers here are considerate
64 sucked the proverbial with that head wind

My guinea pig duties are over

Riding south via Pine to redeem a two for one deal at That Brewery

[ScottM]

Good call on That Brewery.  Thanks for the recon, Dave.

I am starting to think that any 750er that can delay and do an ITT, should think about that option.  It sure isn't looking promising for an April 7 start, though the forecast is for more heat.... right around the start of the race!  That's still a gamble that much is going to change with the N. Rim road (and elsewhere), while out there riding.

[xcracer]

Maybe the 750 people that cant start later then april 7th do a 300 yoyo?

[pbasinger]

Hey.  Anyone that has run water bottles on their fork legs on this route, was it a big problem in any spots?  I'm wondering if it would just be a huge pain on Oracle Ridge with all the bushwacking.

Thanks

[Jeff Z]

Hey.  Anyone that has run water bottles on their fork legs on this route, was it a big problem in any spots?  I'm wondering if it would just be a huge pain on Oracle Ridge with all the bushwacking.

Thanks

Ask me at the end of April.

I've been running bottles on the fork legs all this year to make sure it will work for the 750. Haven't found it to be an issue - even when bushwhacking. Pedals cause more problems (getting hooked on stuff) than the bottle cages.

[Haas]

does anyone have an AZT750 gpx file with water stops and stores listed? Sorry if this is already on here somewhere in the 13 pages of threads. I tried using search function and came up with nothing