I just got back from an impromptu night rapids tubing on the Verde River with Silversides.

It was flowing at 909 CFM's, up from its usual July rate of 450.

We dropped in at Needle Rock and set ourselves up for a 1+ mi adventure or a 2+ mi one. We only made it 1.5 in about 45min. Holy frik that was scary fun. Some of the rapids were huge spaced out hills with plenty of drop in between you had to dance with. Add in the fact that it was pitch black out and the ol heart gets pumping fast. Not only could you hear them coming, but your speed certainly picked up as they pulled you towards them. We saw fish and one ringtail taking a drink. When we got to a narrow section after deciding to pass our first out option, the rapids got fast and put us into a low lying tree, I got knocked backwards off my tube and went fully under. Again, much scarier in the dark. It was too deep to touch too in the fast water but I managed to swim to shore after bobbing a couple times. Jonathan managed to stay on but then tumbled a few times shortly after. He also retrieved my tube.
We found ourselves on a vehicle trail on the bank so we called it quits this time and hiked about 2 miles back to the truck.
Good times. So much fun with just the right amount of blind danger.
We saw no one else out there and the temps, once you got wet, were great.

Hay bails on Friday night.
Saturday night a great time with Silversides, his Mentee, and Bob. Only ones out there, tons of stars, Jon's fire making, gathering, and keeping expertise, Bob's safe words, 4 trout sized catfish throwbacks, a coyote, 2 foxes (one really up close), a javalina, and two big ol' owls.
Thanks for 2nd church on Sunday too Bob.
Movie night with little k's, big K's, cream cheese snack cake, and bonus Bob Sun night.

Did a short solo hike below 4 Peaks New Years Eve



Last sunset of the year

Went fishing/hiking Tuesday.
God coulda at least let me catch one for my birthday.



Got bored so I shot some birds. Nothin special.







Give an Arizona man a fish and he'll finally know what one looks like.
Teach that man instead to fish for himself, and he'll spend a lot of money on equipment and licenses and never will.

Saturday hiked Blue Wash up to Camp Creek Falls then down in another wash near St Clair Spring to find a structure seen on the aerial. Found a dead horse, dead car, the falls, American flag, old rock structure remains and a game camera.



Rained when I got to the falls and then the rest of the day until I got back to the vehicle to depart.

The small falls before the rain

Went to 4peaks today, started snowing on us really hard about half way up. Beautiful up there..

Cool man. Looked like it was getting it. Way to seek it out 8)

Excellent way to spend the day, Mike. Great shot.

Thanks Alan, I'll post some more later. It was a good after church adventure.

Skatchkins wrote:

this doesnt look like AZ

flat no cactus and no trees

offroadaz wrote:this doesnt look like AZ

flat no cactus and no trees

My favorite AZ places are the ones that don't look like AZ

Nothin special. Just wanted to do something after church.
Saddleback Mtn 2372' near L Pleasant. No trail, just up it because it was there.
Could see downtown from up there.

Looking towards Pleasant


Highest point was where I sat. Walked pretty much straight up from X roofline then across right to access lower point to reach ridge.

Left last night close to 9 to go fishing. Used my big pack, fishing pole in each side pocket, sleeping bag, lights, etc. Headed towards Horseshoe to access Verde. Road is much better. Parked and hiked in the dark over a mile to the place I wanted. Fished until after 1. Caught 1.
Laid down sleeping pad on sandy spot off the water. Small LED lantern batteries die. No worries, I have 3 other lights. The ringtail cats come out, eyes glowing yellow when the flashlight finds them. 3 of them come near. Turn out the lights, say a prayer, pop two benadryl. Lightweight sleeping bag does okay until early morn. Legs are cold. Slept better than most camps. When noises awoke me I refused myself the use of the flashlight for a scan, and would just yell, "Hey get out of here!" from my covered head. Wake before sun up. Set up both poles again. 2 line snaps. Pissed because I respooled with 10lb for lake and the river cats are much stronger. Catch another medium size. Next a strong hit that is obvious it will snap the line. With monster dreams and determination I wait him out - for 50 to 75 minutes. Never done that before. Actually fun. Tough to discipline self and keep giving him more line when I wanted to just win. As he finally approaches shore, I pop the other cast line to keep them from crossing. Can't let him surface and slap. Finally get him in. 20". I had expected more. Good experience.
Catch two more at same time and have to use net with one in it to scoop second like a boss.
5 seems like a good number. Have to save a few for next time.
Remove shirt, place fish jammed up in net, place river soaked shirt on top to block sun. Hike the way back. Water the ice chest and place fish inside for bumpy ride out.





Mr. Whiskers says "Hey wait what's all this red stuff and what have you done with my friends?"


Seriously, F trout

Went fishing to same spot Saturday. Brought something with. Floated and hiked to destination.
Stayed out for the stars and ringtails and then let new offroad driver drive out and take 11mi wash home after 2am. The Xterra has new scratches and the suspension seems to be holding for now but it was worth the constant smile.

Not my camera ;)

Very cool Mike! Did ya catch anything?

Avis wrote:Very cool Mike! Did ya catch anything?

Nah I think she was clean.

Oh fish? I forgot they were even out there.

Skatchkins wrote:Nah I think she was clean.

Oh fish? I forgot they were even out there.

You owe me a new Monster for the one that was just spit on my desk...

alanzona wrote:You owe me a new Monster for the one that was just spit on my desk...

so that was the sticky stuff on your desk that day, well i just thought......