With all the wildflowers starting to pop per the report from John S. and Jeff from two weeks ago, it was time to take a trip out there and see the sights. I hadn't been on the AZT from Freeman Rd to Kelvin since my AZT300 run last April when so much of it goes by as if in "fast-forward" mode. It just so happened that 1) Bart had never been out there before and 2) the Gila 100 race was that day. So, with a nice little lollipop loop cooked up courtesy of John S loaded on the GPS's, we headed out to spend a great day on the AZT.
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| Whenever you follow a track from John Schilling, there is going to be some WTF moments....I should have known better |
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| The first two racers, Neil Stitzer and Hunter Keating. Both looking pretty fresh as they start the Boulders Segment |
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| A few minutes back, Courtney Phillips, always in a great mood and having fun. |
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| Gerrit Mack, two thumbs up, tongue out, and enjoying the day. |
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| Max Morris, Jeff Hemperly, and Bob Monahan...a little overheated but survived Ripsey |
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| Tim Leighton and Eugene Gonzalez making their way out of Ripsey Wash up to the Green Gate. |
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| Steve Gibbs, sporting the latest fashion in man-bras. Out of the deepest part of Ripsey Wash. |
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| Josh and Holly, just starting to head up Ripsey...still in good spirits despite a long day so far. |
So, that was all the racers that Bart was able to get a picture of...we did see Carlos Resto HABing up out of Ripsey. He was all smiles and determined to get it done.
This being Barts first time on Ripsey, we snapped a few glamour shots...
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| Bart, feeling sleepy standing among the poppies on the Ripsey descent |
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| Me on the top of Ripsey |
So, a great day in the desert was had.... Huge congrats to the Gila100 racers...that course chews people up and spits them out...finishing it is a giant accomplishment!
Thx to Bart for driving us there and taking pics. If you haven't been out there, do it...The trail is in good shape; typical for AZT but the views are stupendous.
