A hiker who (somehow) completed the 800-mile Arizona Trail in less than 16 days earlier this year will speak about his experience at locations around Arizona in late July and early August.
Jeff "Legend" Garmire, an accomplished long-distance hiker who tackled the AZT in April — completing it in 15 days, 13 hours and 10 minutes, and averaging more than 50 miles per day — will share stories from his adventure at a series of presentations in Flagstaff, Payson, the Phoenix area and Tucson.
Garmire added a degree of difficulty by completing the trail without any outside assistance along the way. He bettered the previous fastest known time for the Arizona Trail by more than three days.
In addition to his Arizona achievement, Garmire has hiked the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide trails in one calendar year; hiked the 1,250-mile Pacific Northwest Trail in 45 days; and climbed all 58 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks.
Here's a schedule of Garmire's appearances, all of which are free and open to the public (advance reservations are recommended through REI's store websites):
- Monday, July 29 – Flagstaff – REI Co-op (323 S. Windsor Lane) – 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 30 – Payson – Rim Runners (807 S. Beeline Highway) – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 31 – Chandler – REI Co-op (870 N. 54th Street) – 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, August 1 – Paradise Valley – REI Co-op (12634 N. Paradise Village Parkway W.) – 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, August 2 – Tucson – REI Co-op (160 W. Wetmore Road) – 6:30 p.m.
For more information about the Arizona Trail, visit www.aztrail.org.