AZT: Kearny to Superior – The Trek

Day 16: 4.2

I didn’t sleep very well and woke up at 3 in the morning for no reason. I didn’t want to get back on the trail too early as I was trying to get some rest after my long day. Some of my gear had broken in the last section and I had sent online purchases to the TA’s house: sunglasses, Apple Watch charger, and a new CNOC bag. The two squeeze bags I use with my water filter blew up in the last 30 miles. One was just a small hole and if you tilted it carefully, it could still leak water. But I couldn’t trust it to last.

Jeff took me back to the trail around noon. I met Bare Paw on the way to the Gila River. My campsite was close enough to the river that I could hear it running, which was a relaxing sound to fall asleep to.

I feel like I’ve rushed too much and haven’t done the things I love on the trail, like reading and doing yoga. I also intended to spend more time meditating. I promise to slow down in this section and be more determined when it comes to spending time doing what I love. I fall into this trap very often where I try to do as much as possible as quickly as possible. It’s my nature, but it doesn’t necessarily align with my broader goals of who I want to be as a person.

I watch the full moon rise over the mountain and the light brilliantly encapsulates my tent. I got myself into a guided meditation and am trying to get into it. I start to hear a very loud engine and think there might be a jeep coming down the road that runs parallel to the river. But the sound is too loud. I poke my head out just in time to see a military helicopter flying low over the river. I was transported back to my camp two years ago and I remember a military helicopter doing a drill in this same area. That’s it for my full moon meditation.

Day 17: 4.3

Today there was more climbing as the trail ascended from its lowest point, 1648′, on the Gila River and up some beautiful mountains. The rock formations were incredible. Different colors, textures and types of rocks to look at in all directions. My pace was definitely slow as I couldn’t stop gawking at the scenery and taking pictures every tenth of a mile it seemed.

Eric, Bare Paw, and I bounced around all day, stopping for an hour at the rain catcher to cool off in the shade and rehydrate with water that wasn’t green or brown. We were all headed to Superior in the morning and Bare Paw arranged our trip into town with the infamous trail angel named MJ.

We camped about 6 miles from the trailhead and spent a very windy night.

Day 18: 4.4

We started earlier than planned as the wind picked us up at 4:45 am. Today we passed the 300 mile mark. MJ was going to pick us up at 9am but we arrived at TH at 7:45. As luck would have it, she dropped off the hikers at 8am and then took us back with her. She offered to make us eggs and gave us the blueberry muffins she had made this morning. I helped cut some vegetables for the eggs while the boys took a shower. They needed to head to REI immediately after breakfast.

MJ put me in charge of the house and asked if I could transport the hikers from the TH later that day while she was in Phoenix at REI. I was happy to help! I also volunteered to wash dishes and do laundry. It felt good to do purposeful work to help someone.

I only planned to shower, charge my devices, and buy supplies while I was in town. However, MJ’s place has such a good vibe that I ended up staying the night. At dinner time, there were 6 of us hikers here and one guy who has a gold claim in the area and sometimes hangs out here to take a shower and have electricity. We made homemade pizzas and had a nice night. The vortex is real here.

Creatures I saw in the last 2 days and 37.3 miles

7 people, 38 lizards, 1 rattlesnake, 1 hare, 4 vultures in a tree and 1 coati mundi tail raised in the air

Water sources I drank from

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