Message from our very own Keith1

[Cleck]

Here is an important message from our very own Keith1 as posted in his blog on this site:

Hey everyone,

I hope you all had a great Holiday and New Year’s, time with the family and friends and time to reflect of what a great hiking year 2008 was. For me, I had lots of good weather, no major injuries, distance goals met and was joined on the trail in December by Bonnie-our adopted Queensland Heeler and Lab mix / hiking machine. I was blessed to finish three major hikes this year. The Pemberton Trail 50k in May, the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim in October and the Seven Summit Challenge in November (“Outlaw Class“..still haven‘t forgotten the Phoenix Parks and Rec Department and their little city sponsored coup from 2007’s Challenge) I donated my entry fee to Ward 57 (Operation Ward 57.org…good folks doing good work for Walter Reed’s amputee ward). The Canyon hike topped the year and can’t be beat. I’ve done the PSSC five times now, so that dropped to third place this year. Which brings me back to number two….

The Pemberton Trail 50k

I was planning on revisiting this hike in December, but ran out of time. So I’m looking at once again stomping around McDowell Mountain Park, in Fountain Hills and re-crossing the 30 mile mark as the first goal of 2009. This time I am looking to share the 50k experience and raise some money for Ward 57. That’s where about 15-20 of you local desert rats come in. The Pemberton Trail consists of a 15.5 mile loop through the desert with a 600-700 elevation gain. Not much of a hill climb, but an awesome trail. Basically you hike way out through the desert to the base of the McDowell Mountain range where you can look back to see where you came from… and how far you have to go to get back. Fifteen miles of solitude, broken up only by the occasional mountain biker, red tail hawk and coyote. The trail is a regular host of Ultra marathon runs and 100 mile mountain bike races. The start, halfway point and finish is in the same spot, so we will break this into two 15.5 mile loops, re-supply at the halfway point and complete the second loop for the full 31 miles. The trail head has restrooms, water, ramadas and shade, lots of parking. The Pemberton has three escape trails back to the start allowing you to cut your 2nd loop short if you couldn’t finish the full 30 miles.

I’ve contacted Ward 57’s fund raiser organizer and am working out the sponsorship letter and details. The ranger’s at the park have penciled me in for March 7. Two months from now. Time to ramp up your distance, your feet and to hit up your family, friends and co-workers for a few bucks. I am proposing each hiker pay a $20.00 registration fee / donation of which 100% will go to Ward 57. Any extra donations you receive will also go 100% to Ward 57. Entry into the park is $6.00 per vehicle and paid by the driver. I will provide the water, Gatorade, some canned beer, chips and salty snacks at the end of the trail. We would start shortly after first light ( trail head gate opens at 6am) complete each loop in four hours or so, water break re-supply at the halfway point and finish by 4pm’ish (assuming a 7am start time). The gate was opened at 6am in May 08 and I was done by 315pm. More details to follow and all that good stuff

It’s a long walk. This is not for everyone. It would be for the type of hiker who doesn’t blink when someone says “20 miles plus”. If you have always wanted get off that 22-24 mile distance plateau and break that 30 mile mark, spend the next two months working on a goal, spend some quality time on a beautiful desert trail and help raise money for our wounded troops....then I have a hike for you. Did I mention that after 25 miles, it gets kind of spiritual? Inspiring? A mental and physical challenge you have to experience to believe?

So what I need to start is a head count of how may would be interested in spending March 7th hiking around the Pemberton for a great cause and some ice cold Gatorade and chips..which will taste outstanding after 31 miles! I’m trying for 15-20 hikers to commit to the challenge, to help others and to go a little farther then normal hikers.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to seeing what we can do together.

Happy Trails,

Keith
hootenanny@qwest.net

Opererationward57.org