Tag Archives: az trail checkin

First blind man to thru-hike the Arizona Trail

Mike Armstrong (in Blue)

Earlier today I was privileged to guide Sensei Mike Armstrong across the Arizona/Utah border. In the past 57 days Mike has hiked 782.3 miles and became the first blind man to hike the Arizona Trail end to end. When we first set out on this adventure we realized it was ambitious and as we made […]

Update from Team Armstrong

Passed the 750-mile mark of the Arizona Trail today. Team Armstrong will complete this 807-mile journey at noon Saturday. FBC CEO Marc Ashton hiked with me for 22 miles Wednesday along along East Rim of Grand Canyon–finished in under 10 hours!

Check in from Team Armstrong

We finished off 24 miles and arrived in Tusayan, we got to the hotel about 7pm and enjoyed a steak dinner. Both Sensei’s feet are sore and mine are pretty well blistered. We are both tired but we only have 10 miles tomorrow where we will arrive at Yaki Point.

Update from Team Armstrong

Checked in with Mike last night; even though him and Bob Pelikan (Sighted Guide) were covered in SNOW (yes it does snow in Arizona) and hammered with strong winds they reached their 24 mile goal in time to enjoy a hot shower and dinner in Flagstaff as a reward. Mike has told me that his […]

Arizona Trail Checkin

Just checked in with Mike Armstrong’s logistics support and even though the GPS was giving them issues Shane and Sensei Mike have completed 21 miles today. Sensei Mike’s regular guides Ben and Yancey unfortunately had to return to work today. Luckily other guides have stepped up to help guide Mike to the finish line. Sensei […]

Team Armstrong’s New Itinerary

Just in case you are wondering attached is Team Armstrong’s new schedule. Sunday May 8th – 8.8 Miles – Bear Spring Jct (400 yardsS to spring box; no trail to Fisher Spring) Monday May 9th – 13.2 Miles -The Park (Get water at Hopi spring or Horse Camp Seep) (no water at the park) Tuesday […]

Checking from Team Armstrong

Evidently our spot messages for the past few days didn’t go through but we have now finished Passage 25 and we are one day away from Strawberry/Pine. We stayed at LF Ranch last night and it was awesome. Great food, a hot shower, and a bed was great! We just met with Sarge for resupply […]

Update on leg injury

As I posted earlier Mike Armstrong injured his leg while hiking through the Four Peaks area last Monday causing Team Armstrong to return to Phoenix while he seeks medical advice. All of the X-Rays and Test results show no breaks and the doctors believe it is a mild strain but has recommended Mike stay off […]

Thoughts from the Arizona Trail

Parker Canyon Lake from the crest trail on Miller Peak

It’s amazing out there, I don’t know how to describe it, It is incredible feeling the amount of raw wilderness surrounding us. It’s strange yet appealing to travel 20 miles and not hear planes flying overhead, No sounds of traffic, …or signs of today’s technology. As I look back at the 116 miles we’ve travelled, […]