AZTR 2013 Planning

[the tortoise]

Well I sure am reluctant to give away all my secrets since the rest of you keep everything so close to the vest! Ha Ha!

My plan is to have the pack and some hiking poles and perhaps some hiking boots and flat pedals sent to the nearest Post Office to the big ditch. I will then send back items I don't need including pedals shoes etc, since once I get done with the hike it won't be that far to ride. I will just ride with the pack on. My concern is to have as comfortable of hike as possible through the canyon. I plan on practicing carrying the bike several times before I begin the journey. Of course given how tough the course is there is no guarantee that I will make it that far!

[the tortoise]

Are permits required to hike the grand canyon??

[AZTtripper]

Are permits required to hike the grand canyon??

Only if you plan on camping along the way.

Carry thru all in one day no permit needed.

[the tortoise]

I guess what happens if you can't make it all the way through? And also it is hard to time the permit because one doesn't really know when they will get to the ditch.

[AZTtripper]

I guess what happens if you can't make it all the way through? And also it is hard to time the permit because one doesn't really know when they will get to the ditch.

There is a new policy for AZT users. When you go to the Back Country Office tell them that your doing the AZT and want to camp in one of the horse camps. These can hold more people and rarely do they all get used. Same price just easier to get last minute.

[Foster]

Also if you plan on thru hiking it and dont make it in one push like I have done once on a rim-rim-rim there are many areas off the trail to camp that are very well hidden.  Good enough to get a little sleep so you can hike out.  It ain't legal but I dont think you would have any trouble cathcing just a couple hours of sleep in order to make it out of the canyon.

[the tortoise]

AZtripper,

Are these horse camps in the canyon and if so where??
Also where is the closest Post Office to the South Rim?

Thanks!

[AZTtripper]

Yes the horse camps are in a similar location the the other campgrounds in the Canyon. I know there's one at Bright Angle actually closer to Phantom Ranch. So you could get your meals at the ranch and just walk back to camp pretty easily.

Pretty sure there's a PO right at the south rim or in Tusayan right out side the Park.

From the ATA web site http://www.aztrail.org/resupply_100912.pdf

Foster, what you do on your own trips in the Canyon is up to you. What racers do can have an impact on the event in the future. Lets all please play by the rules.

MadMax lost a whole day at the south rim in 011 so he could have a spot in Cottonwood Camp. There is free walk, bike in camping in the Mather Campground so all your out is time.

Like I said if your not positive you'll make it get a permit and give yourself the option of camping in a legal spot.

I've done my trips so it's really not going to effect me but it would suck to loose the privilege, for future riders, of carrying thru.

Tim

[bpeschka]

<snip>

Pretty sure there's a PO right at the south rim or in Tusayan right out side the Park.

</snip>

The USPS website shows a post office at Tusayan and in Grand Canyon Village.  It looks like the one is Tusayan is a contract station.  The Grand Canyon Village one is definitely more convenient to the South Rim.  If you're mailing a box up there, make sure you get the correct address as they both have the zip code of 86023.  See:  https://tools.usps.com/go/POLocatorAction_input?address=86023

[Desert Pollo]

I'm thinking of touring a good portion of the route a month prior to doing the (long version) of the race.  Can most of the water and food stops that are available in late April also be depended on in March?

[AZTtripper]

I'm thinking of touring a good portion of the route a month prior to doing the (long version) of the race.  Can most of the water and food stops that are available in late April also be depended on in March?

For the most part, the water even more so. As long as there's been a few winter storms there should be some snow melting. March is actually a great month for touring the lower sections. You may want to skip Oracle Ridge if there's too much snow at the top, there are ways to climb back up once your lower down the mountain. The only down side might be that nights can be a lot colder.

Some stores do have winter hours, Rincon Market may open an hour later as may the store in Summerhaven. Rincon's handy but your in town shortly after, then its possible to just carry enough food to skip Summerhaven.

Hope that helps

Tim

[bartspedden]

Any word on starting date yet?

[dream4est]

http://www.topofusion.com/azt/race.php

April 19th.

[bartspedden]

Thanks 

[THE LONG RANGER]

http://www.topofusion.com/azt/race.php

April 19th.

Well, well, lookie there - guess who's birthday that falls on!

[ne14cycling]

Checking in.  AZT rookies.   Will be riding/racing along with a buddy from San Marco, California.  We did the Stagecoach 400 in California last year.  Love reading the threads and obsessing over the details.....Like the SC400 we'll be pushing the pace during the daytime and chilling/relaxing overnight [mostly].

Finishing healthy is the goal.

See you all at the boarder in April

Cliff from Carlsbad

[tanman1337]

That's gonna be my plan of attack too! Gotta get a good night sleep

[gearsconfuseme]

So do people drop off certain items at the post office on the south rim? Like saddle bags or certain clothing or sleeping bags to make the load alittle lighter for the hike? How far is it from the end of the canyon hike to Utah? I've got the bike and gear setup dialed but I'm pretty clueless on the hike setup so. 

[AZTtripper]

So do people drop off certain items at the post office on the south rim? Like saddle bags or certain clothing or sleeping bags to make the load alittle lighter for the hike? How far is it from the end of the canyon hike to Utah? I've got the bike and gear setup dialed but I'm pretty clueless on the hike setup so.  

If anything you could buy some extra warm cloths for when you get to the other side.

From the rules page:

The following are allowed, but not encouraged.  Use sparingly.

6. Unplanned support from other AZT racers is OK
7. Trail magic OK - but please, no begging
8. Mailing stuff ahead to Post Offices is OK

Number 8 isn't very specific. Is it I can mail ahead of time from home or is it I can mail stuff ahead from the trail?

Scott will no doubt chime in, tho he may be out of town, eventually.

The last line from the page:

QUESTIONS?  Better to ask before the race starts.

Good for you for asking. I'll be sure we get you an answer. If Scott doesn't log in soon I'll ask when I see him next.

People have shipped things to, the South Rim, to use for the hike, trekking poles, frame packs ect.

Of course one could say there are style points for finishing with what you started with.

For those who have everything so dialed they only carry exactly what they need this is likely easy.

For those less experienced it's no doubt harder.

One thing to remember, the Canyon is not the hardest part. As long as your whole kit is within a reasonable weight you should be ok. Backpacking with a 50 lb load isn't that uncommon for back country climbing it can be standard. Just work out a way that stabilizes the whole thing so it's at least less awkward.  

[ne14cycling]

Anyone hear if the cues are remaining the same from last year?

Minor changes may come prior to the event I'm sure...including obvious detours...no wholesale changes I'd bet.....

I think I have answered my own question.   

Cliff in Carlsbad