Kilimanjaro Report post Posted March 27, 2006 What are you guys doing now that the long wait has started?? As for me, aside from the bachelor party and getting ready for the wedding and the honeymoon to Africa, I really get a rush from climbing and hiking. For the last few years, a small bunch of us have been trying to cover all of the major peaks in the So AZ areas. We have just about knocked all of the ones around Tucson down and have started with some of the others. Just a couple of weeks ago, we did an overnighter and hiked to the summit of Chiricahua Peak. This was our first time in the Chir Mtns. And I must say WOW!! They are spectacular!! A real hidden gem in the desert. We saw Gould's turkeys, Coues, Mearns quail, and there was bear and lion sign EVERYWHERE! It was a great hike and the dogs had a blast. It was colder than a well digger's you know what, but we still had a good time. I usally only take one of my mutts at a time on the hikes, and this go-round it was Vigil's turn to go.... I just saw on the news last night that there is now a 400 acre fire burning in there. That sucks.. Here is Virgiboy with his doggy-backpack. The pups have to pull their own weight on the overnighters!! He packed 15lbs of water and food it it all day like it was nothing. He actually enjoys strapping that thing on cuz he knows that when he puts that on, it's gonna be fun for a good long time!! And here is Rich and I at 8,700 ft. You can't see it in the pic, but it was snowing like mad!! The other pup in the pic is Virgil's best buddy, Rich's mutt LabX named Bison.. They LOVE to go with us on these hikes although Virgil still thinks we're hunting!!! He spends all his time with his nose on the ground looking for Mearns.. Sorry for the fuzzy pics.. Our buddy who took them couldn't stop shaking for long enough!! So, what do you guys enjoy doing in the off-season?? Any other hikers or climbers out there? I think our next outing is going to be Rincon Peak again. I love that hike. And then later in the spring, we're gonna try to knock off Mt. Humphreys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COUESAZ Report post Posted March 27, 2006 I spend my extra time With the wife and kids most of the time. When i can sneak it in I am out gold prospecting. and looking for new ground to discover for hunting and prospecting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunter4life Report post Posted March 28, 2006 I like to go backpacking in the off-season and scout out new areas that I think may be good for hunting. I also like to hike to the top of the higher mountains here in NM. I used to do a little bit of climbing, but I was bouldering one day and ruptured a tendon to one of my fingers and have not done much since then. I usually get in one backpack fishing trip during the summer for trout and smallmouth bass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grizzly Report post Posted March 28, 2006 I play in a couple of slow-pitch softball leagues during the spring and summer. I usually take the fall and winter off because of conflicts with hunting season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZP&Y Report post Posted March 28, 2006 Hey Scotty Boy the Chiricuas are the bomb.I also hiked there about 8 years ago in Feb. Cold, but very nice country and no people up there in the winter time (at least when I was there). My latest endeavors are hiking the Arizona Trail. Well sections of it , as you probably know it starts at the Mexico border and runs all the way to Utah. This weekend we're going to hit a 31.5 mile section in northern Arizona. I was going to do a southern section, but just not sure of the water situation?? Nothing better than gettin the dogs out on the trail, We have 2 that always come, Milo & Otis - A golden retreiver and an Irish setter. The white mountain lakes will also be open soon and nothing like having a fly-rod connected to a monster Rainbow or Brownie. I guess we all better go now before the US FOREST shut's er down... http://www.aztrail.org/ Doug AzP&Y Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted March 28, 2006 Looking forward to getting back to my cabin in God's country. When I grow tired of watching the trees grow I drive around and look at elk. I sometimes fish for trout at Becker Lake and Big Lake when friends come up. BillQ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted March 28, 2006 bill sounds like ur in the white mountains, what part? my grandparents have a cabin pinetop we go to all the time. on my time off i work and go to school. for fun i develope and test loads for my rifles, go fishing try to scout but usually doesnt work out,. hiking is hella fun and i need to do it more often, my pup (ojos, doberman austrillian shepard mix) would go nuts and love it! i need to take him out! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted March 28, 2006 bill sounds like ur in the white mountains, what part? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Firstcoueswas80: We live in Greer from about May 1 to November 1. Little Badger Creek runs through our property, which is just over the hill from Molly Butler's Lodge. Compared to the 10,000-square foot "cabins" going up around us, our place is just a shack. The best I can say is that it's comfortable and I built it myself over the past 30 years. We often have elk in the yard at night. BillQ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COUESAZ Report post Posted March 28, 2006 Now Greer is a little chunk of heaven right here on earth. When the fall colors are out man you can not beat that spot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted March 28, 2006 My off season is pretty much nothing but going back to work. This is the only time of year when I actually make money! JIM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted March 28, 2006 Now Greer is a little chunk of heaven right here on earth. When the fall colors are out man you can not beat that spot. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I've been all over the planet and haven't found anywhere else I'd rather spend the few years I have left. We pack up, winterize the cabin, and get the heck out of there before the first big snowfall, however. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bchoitz Report post Posted March 28, 2006 You guys make my "OFF" season "hobbies" seem pretty boring! I spend many weekends supporting my wife and children in their summer activities of competitive (and not so competitive) swimming. My wife is a swim coach in the summer and through the high school season, my 10 and 12 year old swim on her summer team, and my older son swims on a USS swim team. I am a volunteer swimming official. I also try to get at least one trip to someplace cool (temperature and scenery) for some fishing and relaxation. It seems harder to do as the children get older and busier. Last year I only got 1 day of fishing in on the Conejos river is southern Colorado on my way back from taking my daughter to college in Iowa. I hope to go back this summer for a week with my older son who graduates from high school in May. I hope I don't run out of vacation before then. Bret C. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted March 28, 2006 Everyone has their own thing, that's for sure. LOT'S of work & some travel during the week!!!!! Also, lots of little league games (coaching & spectating...), birthday party?s, school stuff, ballet class, fishing, turkey hunting, etc, etc... Mainly boils down to good ole' family time. I used to spend several weeks in Lakeside during each summer as a kid. Still love the White Mountains. Good memories there... S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted March 28, 2006 I spend as much time as I can with my family and we normally sneak out on the four-wheelers one or two weekends a month for a weekend of fun and sometimes even make it into a fishing trip. I also sneak out on the golf course as much as possible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azhuntnut Report post Posted March 28, 2006 Around this time of year, I do a little coyote hunting. When it warms up, I load up the trailer and fam damily for camping and fishing up north. Lately I have been working on my new hunting rig, my little samurai. I am hoping to have it lifted and painted army green in a couple weeks. David Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
