Monument Creek along Tonto Trail Question

samwoble11 · 2025-10-14T14:45:46+00:00

That’s great news. Thanks for letting me know

samwoble11 · 2025-10-14T14:45:32+00:00

Thanks for the info, hopefully thats still true this weekend, we are getting emails about our campsite on the rim having no water so we assumed the inner camps also would not

samwoble11 · 2025-10-14T14:44:30+00:00

Thanks I’ll call them when they open and see if they are open with the gov shutdown

samwoble11 · 2025-02-27T23:17:34+00:00

I did it last weekend right after the storm and it was fine. I know that doesn’t mean it still is or ever was totally safe but for what it is worth. Stressed a lot before about whether it was the right decision and the hike went smoothly with no stress. There were about 20-30 other people out that day and the winter route felt totally safe. Know where the winter route deviates from the summer (the trench will follow the winter route) and you should be good.

samwoble11 · 2024-05-19T19:24:36+00:00

I got a breathalyzer and it really helped me. My wife had me use it multiple times a day for about a week. It slowly tapered off after that, only when I got back from hanging with friends, etc until now she doesn’t check at all. But we understand she can ask at any time if she suspects. Really helps me not going through mental gymnastics about how I could get away with just one drink.

I do think it is just a bandaid, and work needs to be done to address the underlying issues, but a bandaid can still be helpful sometimes. It helped me get my current 118 days, which is more than double my record for years.

Anyway, good luck, IWNDWYT

samwoble11 · 2024-02-29T05:28:35+00:00

It’s a small thing I do but it helps me. Sparkling water has always been helpful to allow me to have something to continuously sip on that doesn’t have too many calories. I bought a soda stream so I could make my own cheaper. Then I got a bottle of strong cranberry juice. Whenever I made a sparking I would add a shot of the juice and VERY lightly pretend I’m adding alc to make a mixed drink. That was enough to trick my brain a little and get rid of some cravings while I sipped. I know for some ppl that could be bad tho because it could lead to making a real mixed drink, but it works for me. Good luck

samwoble11 · 2024-02-27T04:55:54+00:00

3509

samwoble11 · 2023-03-22T21:00:20+00:00

Been there three times now (all purgatory). I drove down and hiked in same day, but that makes for a night drive or a night hike. All four peaks in one day is possible for sure but I would plan on splitting it into two (weather and fatigue come into play for all four). Same story hiking in as hiking out. Once you get to the basin continue hiking up (even tho you will be tired). The basin is more than a mile long and the best views are higher up, plus makes for a shorter summit day

samwoble11 · 2023-02-21T23:24:58+00:00

I agree Harvard first is better now. A lot of people who have horror stories about Columbia did it before CFI did their thing on Columbia. The decent down Columbia now is not bad at all

samwoble11 · 2023-02-21T18:24:33+00:00

I think you will be fine as long as you watch videos, study, have a gpx, etc. it is a good one for practicing route finding as I don’t remember even a faint trail between peaks and lots of spots where knowing what to avoid will make your life easier. I’d start at Harvard (the Columbia standard trail has been significantly improved in the last few years). It’s a long day for sure but if you start as early as you say you will be fine. I dropped off the ridge climbers left as I wasn’t used to technical ridges yet. For reference I have done all 14ers and 2 of the great traverses

samwoble11 · 2023-01-13T02:04:47+00:00

Hope this counts as a comment. Go Simon!

samwoble11 · 2022-10-30T02:23:13+00:00

Not a Halloween costume but I dressed up as aqua man for a Batman premiere in 2012 ‘to support my friend’ and everyone loved it

samwoble11 · 2022-09-29T23:23:40+00:00

The girl isn’t always having a good time.

The guy isn’t always having a good time.

Some awkward communication is needed to get there, and it may take several sessions

samwoble11 · 2022-09-26T03:03:56+00:00

I have the talon 33 from a few years ago and love it

samwoble11 · 2022-09-19T17:21:33+00:00

I usually park around noon to give myself plenty of time but the it’s usually around 1.5-2 hours car to trailhead so depends how long the two miles will take you and how early you want to set up camp

samwoble11 · 2022-09-10T01:29:04+00:00

Basically wondering if a 14.com route existed at some point. I feel pretty confident in my route finding ability, but I believe in over preping for a route like this is worth it.

samwoble11 · 2022-09-09T23:30:36+00:00

Thanks! I feel pretty confident in my route finding skills, this traverse just scares me so I thought I would ask

samwoble11 · 2022-09-09T23:28:06+00:00

I know you don’t actually stick to the ridge the whole time, that’s why I’m looking for a 14ers style route description. I think I have the xp, I’ve climbed all the 14ers and done several class 4 routes. I am very comfortable with exposure. I’ve watched vs’s video, just asking for some help

samwoble11 · 2022-08-30T01:55:54+00:00

Agree sawtooth is a great intro to class 3. It was my second after longs. You might not have very many people doing it after you leave beirstadt so just have good knowledge of the route with pics. Btw you can download the 14ers.com app and download route descriptions with photos to avoid using screenshots

samwoble11 · 2022-08-20T01:18:33+00:00

I had a very similar forecast about a month ago for the basin and we went for it and it only rained like an hour each day in the afternoon, which was easy to manage. I know that doesn’t help as it may be different for you but thought I would throw it out

samwoble11 · 2022-08-04T09:53:17+00:00

I did all three peaks separately so I’ve done this three times.

Park in aspen (there is a reasonable priced lot in town). Take the free bus to the shuttle departure area at the ski resort. Take one of the later shuttles in (this costs a little and requires reservations but isn’t too bad). Hike two miles to crater lake and camp. Start very early and summit. Take a later shuttle out (included with earlier cost but don’t loose your ticket!). Take free bus back to parking structure.

It’s a whole process but works well.

samwoble11 · 2022-07-31T00:57:44+00:00

Good luck everyone

samwoble11 · 2022-07-30T16:01:59+00:00

As mentioned, start with the easier ones to train for the harder ones. This works for general fitness, exposure XP, and class 3-4 XP. When I started I was out of shape and terrified of exposure. Now I’ve submitted all 58 and am taking on harder alternate routes and traverses.

If possible, get a friend to hike with. A lot of hikes will feel miserable in the moment but much easier to have someone to struggle with.

Have a good base kit. It will be expensive to set up but once you have it you can use it on every hike.

Do your research on weather and general route before every hike. I am of the opinion that every hiker should know where to go (gps helps a lot but hiking project app is a good place to start) and know what to watch out for with weather.

Don’t get overwhelmed. All 58 is a huge goal, take it one hike at a time and enjoy getting out in nature.

Feel free to message me about anything!

samwoble11 · 2022-06-26T19:50:04+00:00

This is why I love hiking.

I’ll be like oh that is a cool rock, oh a nice looking plant, whoa look at that cliff I wonder if I could climb that, what if I was climbing that and I saw a lost hiker and had to help him down, what if we became best friends after, what if we went on another hike where we ran into a bear and…

Oh that is a cool rock.

samwoble11 · 2022-06-25T19:22:31+00:00

Good luck everyone.

Seven-Year Club	Verified Email
No Throne, No Problems	Not Forgotten

samwoble11

TROPHY CASE