"The Arizona Trail," by Dale R. Shewalter

In the land of Arizona,
through desert heat or snow,
winds a trail for folks to follow
from Utah to old Mexico.

It’s the Arizona Trail;
a path through the great Southwest.
A diverse track through wood and stone,
your spirit it will test.

Some will push and pedal,
some will hike or run,
others will ride their horse or mule,
what else could be more fun?

Oh sure, you’ll sweat and blister.
You’ll feel the miles each day.
You’ll shiver at the loneliness.
Your feet and seat will pay.

But you’ll see moonlight on the border lands,
you’ll see stars on the Mogollon.
You’ll feel the warmth of winter sun,
and be thrilled straight through to bone.

The aches and pains will fade away,
you’ll feel renewed, then whole.
You’ll never be the same again
with Arizona in your soul.

Along the Arizona Trail
a reverence and peace you’ll know.
Through deserts, canyons and mountains.
From Utah to old Mexico.

by Dale R. Shewalter, Father of the Arizona Trail, who with his horse Cinnamon, linked trails and forged routes to pioneer the AZT, a National Scenic Trail.

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     Hi, Rob here.

     This is my traditional year-end report. Rather than bore you with lots of text here - I refer you to lots of boring text and mundane photos and videos via links.

     Of course, not all hikes and adventures are summarized in the WV reports. Many photos from day hikes appeared on the False Bravado, AKA Farcebook (https://www.facebook.com/robazpsych). Other trips were not posted on the WV (wildernessvagabond.com). Yet, these adventures were enjoyed all the same.

     I enjoyed three longer hikes this year, two trips totaling 209 miles on the AZT (Arizona Trail) and another spectacular section hike on the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail; 166 miles). I also backpacked the Joshua Tree Touriño with Holly and Annette after the Death Valley Dreaming, 2018 Winter escape. These adventures helped push my total yearly mileage on foot over 1700. Yowee. Now, this is wandering without being lost, paraphrasing a poem by J.R.R. Tokien (Lord of The Rings). Humm, is this also a reference to recovery after the impeachment and imprisonment of the trumpmaniac and his wealthy elite ilk, cutting through the factless lies of repulsicans? Make it so because the devastation to our public lands, rule of law, our democracy is yuge, incredibly yuge and needs to stop and be reversed now.

     All that is gold does not glitter,
     Not all those who wander are lost;
     The old that is strong does not wither,
     Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

     From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
     A light from the shadows shall spring;
     Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
     The crownless again shall be king.

Poem by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring. It appears in Chapter Ten, "Strider", in Gandalf's letter to Frodo.

     And, I hope you get the oportunity to enjoy more komorebi in 2019.

Komorebi (Click the image for the full-size image)

  A data sketch from 2018 includes:

     Hiking - total miles = 1740.7 (ERM* = 2456.8)

of which Backpacking = 589 miles (ERM* = 875.3)
Average backpacking day = 8.7 miles. Average ERM per backpack day = 12.9.

and Day Hiking = 1151.7 miles (ERM* = 1581.5)
Average day hiking day = 11.4 miles. Average ERM per day hike day = 15.7.

     Bicycling - total miles = 244.8 (all day tours in 2017)

*ERM - Energy Required Miles. A mile is added for every 500' elevation gain or loss. It's a very serviceable method of estimating energy required miles.

Abbey speaks (Click the image for the full-size image)

     Thanks to co-adventurer Ron Watters, Holly Button, and Annette Adams who enhanced the fun during the TransCanyon Terminus backpack of the AZT and the Joshua Tree Touriño backpack. It was a joy hiking with you, Ron, Holly, and Annette.

     Cheers. Let's all work for more peace and less repulsican.

     Take good care, Rob

Begin 2019 with a New Year's wish (Click the image for the full-size image)