Destination Meta...our latest 200 mile virtual “race” on the Arizona Trail

In the middle of January we finished our last virtual race, the Moab Sidewinder 240.    Since there were no virtual Destination Trail races offered at that time, we decided that we would start our own virtual race.  The route we settled on was an obvious choice—we would virtually hike the entire 800 mile Arizona Trail!

So off we (virtually) tromped to the Mexican border in Arizona just south of the city of Sonita to start our virtual Arizona Trail race.

The Arizona Trail (AZT) website is a wonderful guide for hiking the trail.  There are 43 separate Passages and each passage has thorough directions on where that specific passage starts and finishes.  There’s a picture of an area in the passage, a lengthy description and mileage of each passage, GPS coordinates and ma, elevation information, degree of difficulty, and best time of year to hike each section.  This website is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to hike the entire AZT or sections of the Arizona Trail.

Many people think that since Arizona is in the desert, it is flat.  We have hiked enough in Arizona to know that it is definitely not flat.  Look at the elevation profile of the AZT!

We have already hiked a portion of three sections of the AZT on our desert camping and hiking trips. December 2012: Passage 19, Superstition Wilderness, November 2020: Passage 10, Redington Pass, and March 2021: Passage 17, Alamo Canyon.  The AZT is maintained by volunteers and the areas we have hiked are some of the best trails we have been on.

We intend to hike as many sections of the AZT that we can find.  I am continually studying my dozens of Arizona maps to find good campsites near the AZT.   I have several camping spots marked, and we’re just waiting for the right weather for the elevation of each potential campsite.

DESTINATION META Virtual Race begins!

 On February 25th Candice announced the latest Destination Trail virtual race, Destination Meta.  By that date we had “virtually” hiked the first nine passages of the Arizona Trail.  We were “hiking” in Passage 10, Redington Pass.

We decided to complete the 200 mile option on Destination Meta.  The cutoff day for the race is April 30th, which gives us 65 days to complete the race.  We can count all the miles we walk or hike during this time frame toward our 200 mile goal on the Meta.

This may sound pretty easy, but in addition to hiking and walking we also cycle, dance, and play ping pong.  And since we’re in our 70’s, sometimes we need a “rest” day.  We also need to take time out for our doctor’s appointments which seem to be growing at an exponential rate each year!

We won’t win Destination Meta.  In fact, we may be in last place by April 30th.  But we intend to walk and hike our 200 miles before the cutoff day and earn another belt buckle. Who wouldn’t want to earn one of these?  Aren’t they super cool!

Since Destination Meta allows you to choose any route for your race, we choose to virtually “run” the Arizona Trail!  We were just over 150 miles on our own 800 mile virtual AZT race when Meta started on February 25th.  We decided to continue hiking our virtual AZT race and after 200 more miles on the Arizona Trail, we would complete Destination Meta.  

We will cross the finish line of Destination Meta when we are just about (virtually) to Theodore Roosevelt Lake.  We will be at the end of Passage 19, Superstition Wilderness. That seems fitting as the Supertition Wilderness is east and northeast of Nuestra Casa, our home in Mesa.  When we finish the race, we can stop off at home for a much needed shower and our finish line celebration!

A year ago in early March 2020, Candice attempted to set a new female supported Arizona Trail record. She ran alone with her crew meeting her at locations where their vehicle could access the trail to provide her with necessary food and water supplies.  

She ran over 350 miles from the Mexican border all the way to Theodore Roosevelt Lake.  Then the pandemic hit in full force, and Candice terminated her record attempt so she and her crew could return home to be with their families and children.

We will reach our 200 mile goal and cross the virtual finish line of Destination Meta at almost the same place on the Arizona Trail that Candice ran to last year.  The difference is that it took her just a handful of days to reach Theodore Roosevelt Lake and it will take us 65 days.  

Another major difference is that we are virtually hiking the AZT.  We’re accumulating our miles hiking in the desert when we are on our camping trips and walking around the lakes and golf paths in Leisure World.  Candice ran over 350 miles on the actual Arizona Trail.  She ran through the desert plateaus, in and out of washes, and up and down the many mountain ranges.

We are awfully proud of her, and we are proud of us too!