[pct-l] After Action Report – Mt. Humphrey PCT Training Hike

[Hiker97 at aol.com]

Yes, once again, your  fearless trail mountaineer, Switchback, has challenged 
death and Mother Nature  and survived.  This is to prepare  for the ultimate 
outdoor experience, the Pacific Crest Trail thru  hike. 
This training  expedition was to renowned 12,633 foot Mt. Humphrey near 
Flagstaff, AZ.  A mountain famous for high winds, changing weather, strenuous 
trail, and  many a dashed hope.  Expedition  members included famous professional 
hikers MeadowsEd and Can’tQuit.  Can’tQuit brings her dog, Halo, to  provide 
camp guard duties.  Halo is  always alert for strange sounds and friendly pets. 
On Wednesday I pick up  MeadowsEd at the Las  Vegas bus station.  Later that 
day we meet former thru hikers Eagle Eye and Jackalope for  dinner at Claim 
Jumpers.  The next  day we drive to the Flagstaff holiday Inn Express.  Each of 
us has luxurious double queen  single rooms.  We figure that  staying a day in 
Flagstaff will help us with  acclimation. 
A nice lunch at the  Cracker Barrel and then a well deserved meritorious 
combat nap ensues.  Slowly I wake up head down to the  motel’s Jacuzzi and 
indoor/outdoor pool combo.  MeadowsEd is already there in the  Jacuzzi relaxing 
surrounded by thousands of bubbles, while talking to  folks. 
Later we drive up to  the trailhead parking lot to recon the area.  Then we 
stop at the Snow Bowl restaurant  for the Thursday’s night half off special of 
Buffalo wings.  The NBA playoffs are on the eatery tube,  so a very pleasant 
evening is completed watching the game, while munching  copious amounts of 
tasty wings. 
On Friday we hit the  Cracker Barrel again for breakfast.  Then it is over to 
the Ranger station to gather intel.  A visit to the old town area for  
shopping and to checkout the local scene is completed.  Can’tQuit calls and says she 
has arrived  in town.  We meet her and head for  lunch at a place she 
recommends.  It  is a converted old house into a restaurant.  A very nice meal and 
then we head to the  trailhead to start the hike. 
MeadowsEd and Can’tQuit  quickly are ready to hit the trail, while I struggle 
to complete my  preparations.  Halo is pulling on  her leash to start the 
adventure.  Everyone is excited as they move out.  I will catch up  later. 
As I move across the  grassy open area near the ski lifts, I notice I am not 
acclimated.  But I bravely move forward and upward as  I enter the pine/aspen 
trees in excellent hiking weather.  The trail is very popular and well worn,  
but is steep.  It is only 4.5 miles  to the top, but it is rated a very 
strenuous hike. 
I am breathing hard as  the others patiently wait periodically for me to 
catch up.  My pack is very light.  My waist belt Hydration Integration  system is 
working fine too.  Yes,  this expedition, which was full of promise and a 
sense of triumph, is turning  into a Switchback struggle for survival.  As we 
approach 10,000 feet we make our planned camp for acclimation.  There is very 
little level ground.  I pitch my tent on the only place I can  find, which is on a 
slight slope.   
My MSR Hubba tent is  very nice.  I really like the side  door entry.  I need 
to add a ceiling  attic for tent gear.  The small side  storage pouch is not 
large enough.  During the night I slide and have to readjust myself and I get 
up once to  reset the tent.  If I was on level  ground, it would be a nice 
campsite.  The tent and my sleeping pad system works fine.  I have fun listening 
to my radio during  the night and drink lots of water.  I check my blood sugar 
periodically, which is a little high, but  okay. 
In the morning I  announce that going on up is bad and going down is good.  I 
tell the other expedition members that  I will wait at the parking lot and 
talk to the Trail Days folks, who are  preparing to work on the trail.  No  
problem.  They say that they have no  problem going back down.  Can’tQuit,  who 
has summited the peak before is just out for a nice hike with her dog,  Halo.  
MeadowsEd has other options  to come back and hike the mountain trail. 
Going down is not easy  too.  I am glad to finally arrive at  the parking 
lot.  I am breathing  strong and move in slow motion.  I  am very glad that I 
decided to come down.  All my gear has worked fine, but I can tell the blood 
sugar is a  sensitive area out on the trail for me.  Can’tQuit has gone ahead and 
has already left her Phoenix area home.  MeadowsEd and I drive back to Las 
Vegas and I drop him  off at the bus station.  I shower  and fall immediately 
asleep in my TV chair for 3 hours.  I wake up to enjoy the NBA  playoffs. 
My wife notices me  typing on my computer as I watch the game.  I tell her I 
am doing my After Action Report.  She says, "What action?"   
In spite of this  comment, another successful road trip completed, if not a 
totally successful  hike.  But at my age I am satisfied  and had fun with some 
adventure.  I  always have lots of fun no matter what happens.  
Respectfully submitted,  Switchback the Trail  :Pirate



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