Hello from an aspiring desert rat

[mushka]

Hello! I keep stumbling upon (super helpful) BackcountryPost threads as I plan trips in Southern Utah, so I figured it's time to sign up.

Long thru-hikes are my jam, but I can generally only swing them once every few years. I just hiked the Hayduke this spring, and am in the process of relocating to the SW so I can spend my free time hiking shorter routes in this area. In the past my focus has been UL hiking in any/all terrain, but now I find myself wanting to develop my area-specific knowledge and skill. I want to get better at planning, off-trail navigation, endurance & fitness, reading the terrain...and just generally getting to know Canyon Country a lot better!

I'll probably be a semi-lurker for a while before posting much. I gotta say, it's fun to join an old-school forum like this for the first time in maybe a decade. Glad I made my way here!

 

[Kullaberg63]

Hey! Welcome!

If you move to the area you'll likely find that the shorter adventures beyond the Hayduke are equally or maybe more rewarding. Especially if you like going your own way and relish in an uncertain outcome, lol.

My fascination with the Plateau started with the Kelsey books (steep learning curve), and Steve Allen's routes. My favorite regions with the most wilderness potential and the least road walks (Hayduke hint) are the lower Escalante, the Dirty Devil complex and Gypsum to Dark.