Halfway up Miller Peak, I saw a nice hat alongside the trail on day one. I picked it up, and it felt moist, meaning it was recently on someone’s head. Sun protection is a must of the AZT, and no one passed me on the way down, so someone ahead of me must have dropped it. I picked it up. After about a half-mile, I saw a person running down the trail. He smiled when he saw me carrying the hat.
The runner was Ian. He had taken off his pack to run back and look for his hat. He profusely thanked me, and we chatted for a few minutes before he ran back. Ian is 25 and from Tucson. He was hiking the trail to contemplate his life and wanted to meet as many people as possible. Ian graduated with a Journalism degree from the University of Arizona and worked in a relaxed tea shop in Tucson. I gave him his hat, and he ran back up the trail. A short time later, I passed him before the summit as he talked to a group of hikers about Tucson.
Ian is funny, intelligent, energetic, and is looking for his place in the world. We all are looking for our place in the world; I am still doing that. I spent a few days in Tuscan, and Ian showed me more of his adopted city than I ever knew existed. Thank you, Ian!
Ian hiked his hike and had a close cadre of friends who cached and sent food along the trail. Ian took the opportunity to get off the path several times to see friends and family in Tuscan and Phoenix. These excursions worked in his favor by meeting more people on the trail as his schedule changed.
Ian took the trail name Happy Hour. I believe that name came about because he was pointing out happy hour events when we were in Tuscan. The term also fits because Ian is trying to create cheerful times for his friends and tramily.
Next: Colt