January Peaks

While the rest of the continental United States suffered from snow storms, arctic blasts, and the wonderful grip of January, Tucson managed to register 0 precipitation and maintained temperatures in the wonderful 60-70 range.  So, in true letterboxing fashion, we took advantage of our blessings and managed three peak hikes.

The first weekend back, we attempted to hike the Ventana canyon trail to Window Rock.

I had done this trail previously two years ago and had planted my first Arizona Box at the Window.  Unfortunately, the material I used to carve said box was not the greatest for LBxing.  So I asked Jess to carve a new Window Rock stamp.

We set out with the man with no name, AZBluelion, Champ AC, and Sonoran Señorita on Jess' first peak hike.  Nothing like starting the hiking season with a 14 mile hike.

It turns out I may have overestimated both my and Jess' ability to do the hike, but despite it all we managed to do the entire hike together ( albeit with several miles in the dark).

Rather than replace the original stamp at the Window, we instead created a new box called Ventana View.

The following week, the man with no name decided to lead a hike up Mt. Kimball, the peak neighboring Window.  I had recovered enough during the week that I felt up to it.  In addition I had carved a stamp called Santa Catalina that would work perfectly on the hike.  Jess decided to stay home, but AZBluelion came with.  All things said, the hike turned out to be a cinch.  It was only 10 miles round trip and gained the same elevation, but Window prepared us well.

That is to say Myself, AZBluelion, and The man with no name were prepared, other members of the group were not prepared in the slightest, and suffered accordingly.  

Protip: When you go on a ten mile peak hike and the leader tells you beforehand to bring lots of food and water, maybe you should do as he says.

Commonsensetip: If you decide to forgo the Protip and show up at the trailhead without anything at all, and you see everyone else in your group, people who have done this hike several times, with hiking backpacks, camel backs, and trail food, you may wish to reconsider your intention to go hiking.

All things said, it was a beautiful hike and I maintain that it is my favorite hike I've done while in Tucson, I sincerely hope people will get that box.

The next day, because we weren't even feeling wasted already, AZBluelion Jess and myself decided to do yet another peak hike, albeit a much less strenuous one (4 miles RT).  This time it was Babad Doag, or Frog Mountain, a small mountain off the side of the Catalina highway.  AZBluelion has been methodically working through all the boxes in Tucson, as have Jess and I and this hike was some of the few remaining.

Of course on top of all these trips were our weekly evening excursions to the Robles Pass Park where AZBluelion, The Man With No name, Jess and I have been slowly finishing Family Tree Shaker's Abscraps series.

We also took a weekend to go and get the boxes in Madera Canyon. Some hiking, but mostly "off-roading" in the yeti.  Included was a trip to the ghost town of Helvetia or at least it's grave yard.

There was also a mini golf game between AZBluelion, Katalina Madelina, Jess and myself, but I'd rather not talk about that.

All in all a good month of hiking and letterboxing.  Looking forward to February.