Lessons for the Future - Arizona Trail ep.3

The long walk across the Arizona desert, 800 miles through the heat, cactus, burning sun, with all sorts of fun creatures to contend with, only carrying a small backpack of supplies. The trail begins at the Mexico border and travels all the way up to Utah, going up and over some of the biggest mountains in the state. Mt Lemmon, Mica, the San Francisco Peaks, traversing down into the Grand Canyon, and back up the other side on the Kaibab Trail. It's been more than a year since I did a long distance thru hike like this, since walking 1,100 miles on the Florida trail in the winter of 2020. I hope my body holds up, I hope I don't develop any hiking injuries. I hope the sun and heat isn't so bad, though I am starting much later in the season than most other AZT thru hikers. At least I won't have much snow to walk through. Water however will be a major problem in the desert.

I have an ultralight pack, nearly super ultralight. Carrying 7lbs worth of backpacking gear, a lot of which is camera equipment to film these hikes. I feel this UL gear is enough to keep me comfortable, happy, and safe... but you really don't know how things will work until you're out in the wilderness with no safe exit plan. Some of the gear I'm using consists of an Enlightened Equipment Enigma 30*F which is an ultralight quilt. An EE Torrid Pullover synthetic jacket. A Zpacks 7x9 tarp as my only shelter. A small Palantepacks UL backpack. And a Sunday Afternoon Sunhat. Beyond that you can check out my hiking gear listed below!!

In this third part of the trail we start at the beginning of the Superstition Mountains in Tonto National Forest, along the Gila river. Hike past Picketpost Mountain, toward Roosevelt Lake and the Marina, up into the Four Peaks Wilderness and past the peaks themselves. Doing 30 or more miles every day through the Mazatzals. Checking out the town of Pine and Payson briefly before getting on the Highline Trail and going up the Mogollon Rim, onto the Colorado Plateau, and heading towards Lake Mary, Flagstaff, and the San Francisco Peaks.

We also talk about about why I thru hike, and honestly it is the freedom of being alone out in the woods, with a small backpack that keeps me doing this year after year. Taking on the risk of being in the middle of nowhere with only my wit and my little amount of gear to protect me. How can I use these few items of kit to keep me safe, comfortable, and happy? How can I walk 30 miles in a day over and over again and still remain sane. In some ways maybe it's primal, and I am doing this like maybe my distant ancestors did.

During this trip I unfortunately broke the fancy new camera lens I had bought to better document this hike and those I take in the future. For those interested I have made paintings to help replace it! All of these are original, and it all goes back to making these videos better. Thanks for checking out my artwork!
http://jupiterhikes.com/product-categ...

If you would like to see content I create about these trips I don't share anywhere else, join me on Patreon!
  / jupiterhikes  

. . . THE GEAR I USE . . .
Backpack & Fanny Pack - https://Palantepacks.com
Sleeping pad - https://gossamergear.com
Quilt - https://Enlightenedequipment.com
Tarp - https://Zpacks.com
Groundsheet - https://amzn.to/3leXdlM
Tent Stakes - https://amzn.to/3bKgoRq

Puffy Jacket - https://Enlightenedequipment.com
Rain Jacket - https://Enlightenedequipment.com
Sun Glasses - https://amzn.to/38HKWBs
Toe Socks - https://amzn.to/3lgDGkU
Sun Hat - https://amzn.to/2OWiaGc

Water Bladder - https://amzn.to/3vDabP9
Water Filter - https://amzn.to/2Q7ych7
Spoon - https://amzn.to/3cA3mVG
Food Bag - https://amzn.to/3rOVfeu

Yoyo - https://amzn.to/3eAFhkp
Toothbrush - https://amzn.to/3tkN4GY
Chafe Cream - https://amzn.to/3bNorNu
Tweezers - https://amzn.to/3tkLRj6
Blister tape - https://amzn.to/3tbRTCy
Lip Balm - https://amzn.to/2Q6oJ9F

Flashlight - https://amzn.to/3tmjRM6
Wall Charger - https://amzn.to/3eFxxNY
External Battery - https://amzn.to/3bMnk0v (20,000mAh)
External Battery - https://amzn.to/3cttEch (10,000mAh, much lighter & smaller)
Cell Phone - https://amzn.to/30HxusC
Headphones - https://amzn.to/3eFjtnt

Camera - https://amzn.to/3eEoY68
Camera Lens - https://amzn.to/3eFjc3V
Camera Batteries - https://amzn.to/3tmkDbY
Camera Charger - https://amzn.to/3s0jAhD
Microphone - https://amzn.to/38Fhags
Memory Card - https://amzn.to/3vrBOdZ
Tripod - https://amzn.to/3eEFAL6
Microfiber Cloth - https://amzn.to/38FIyLh

Hiking Essentials Shirt! http://jupiterhikes.com/product/hikin...

THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
http://www.jupiterhikes.com/gear/

If you'd like more info about me, my hiking, or painting:
https://www.jupiterhikes.com
  / jupiterhikes  
  / jupiterhikes  

Some of the product links above are affiliate links, at no cost to you it helps support this channel and these videos. Thank you!