The Cocodona 250

May 5, 2023

Flagstaff to 605.8 (15 mile slackpack)

Yesterday Punisher offered to drop us off 15 miles ahead on trail so we could slackpack them back to Flagstaff and catch the finishers at the Cocodona in downtown. We woke up early and piled in his car before he dropped us at a road crossing and headed back to Flag. I packed out two cannolis and devoured them in the first mile.

The miles were easy but today was day 1 of my period so that made getting back to town even better. We hiked back into Flagstaff (some of the trail followed the Cocodona route through town which was cool) went to the hotel, relaxed for half an hour and then went down to the race and hung out with Punisher and Gasket.

It was incredible watching fellow thru hikers in the race giving professional runners with sponsorships a run for their money. We watched the progress of the Field Trip 5 (a thru hiking family of a mom and 4 teenage sons) who had entered their first ultra, the Elden Crest 38. Watching them cross the finish line was crazy, we were all cheering and screaming for them. This was their first ultra and they ran it with no training besides just finishing the AZT.

The Field Trip 5 after finishing their first ultra

We had lunch at a Mexican restaurant in the square where I drank two huge watermelon juices that might‘ve been the most delicious nectar I’ve ever tasted in my life.

Later on back in the room we showered and got pizza delivered. Tomorrow Pun will take us back to our slackpack spot. We must pull ourselves from this Flagstaff Vortex lol.

Hiker Trash Group Pic