Viet is also known as Mr. Clean and has completed the PCT. He had to quit the AZT in 2020 due to Covid restrictions. I think he started at Molino Basin Campground for this attempt. I met Viet after summiting Mt Lemmon. He was heading south as I was heading north. By accident, he got turned around because I asked him where he was heading. He replied that he was heading north to Utah. I convinced him that he was heading in the wrong direction.
Viet is very nice, although he complained the next day that he needed to get his lighter gear and that he didn’t have his hiking legs. I didn’t care since he had the experience. Viet is an electrical engineer doing contract work for Amazon’s Alexa group. Since he is an engineer, Viet needed to find explanations for everything, so I let him vent.
It turns out that Viet was always trying to find a reason for everything. I learned just to be quiet unless his hubris impacted me. Most of the time, I just hiked in silence. Viet turned out to be a great hiking partner for Kharen. Whereas I hiked away, they shared the same pace.
I got separated from Viet around Superior, but when I was in Flagstaff, Kharen contacted me to rescue her near Mormon Lake because the weather turned wet and cold. She knew I had my truck, so she texted me to help. When I found her along the road, she was with Viet! I brought them to Flagstaff, and we hiked together to the end of the AZT at the state-line campground.
Both Viet and I had to make allowances for each other. Viet likes stopping before sunset, whereas I hike at night. Viet likes established campsites; I stealth camp. I walk faster, but Viet probably sees and experiences more.
I appreciate that Viet hung with Kharen and became part of our team. We agreed on routes, shortcuts, hitches, and campsites. I learned to be more accepting and let things go. When I cached water between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, I cached water for Viet too.
Next: Annie