Anthony's Backpacking Info

Backpacking is my favorite thing to do so here's a little site I made about the topic.

It's very important to be well prepared when you go out in the wilderness, specially if you're going alone and there's noone to get help in case you get injured. Many people have died in the wilderness because they were not prepared. Most people that die in the wilderness were only out on a short day hike, so they didn't bring much stuff. Bring all these things with you when you want to go hiking, even if you're only going for a day hike.

FOOD

Bring plenty of granola bars for snacks, they're a perfect high energy good tasting hiking food. You've probably tried those energy bars and if you're a normal person they make you puke.

DUCT TAPE

Duct tape always saves the day. The unsung hero of the wilderness.

FISH NET

If you bring a small fish net in case of an emergency there's no way you will go hungry if you're near a creek or a lake. They weigh very little and guarantee a constant food supply just in case.

MULTI PURPOSE TOOL

Whether you're a Swiss army knife or Leatherman tool type of person you need to have a multi purpose tool with you.

CAMPSTOVE

I've used my Trailstove for a couple of years now in both summer and winter, it is absolutely amazing. Get one and you're hooked for life.

SLEEPING PAD

Good quality sleep is very important when your out in the woods, you feel a lot better if you get a good nights sleep. Sleep on something you are very comfortable on. I recommend an air mattress, they weigh a little bit but I think it's worth it.

TENT

I don't know why people are so obsessed with tents. If you are going during a cold time of the year then it's good to have one but in the summer time there's no need for one. Just bring a small tarp that you can suspend over yourself in case it rains.

Even if you can't see water you can see the signs of water such as greener than usual vegetation, or a string of uniform vegetation, or a flock of birds.

If you need get to where the signs of water are but don't see any water you may decide to dig down, if you do always dig by the largest piece of vegetation, that's where there is most water.

Aztec Ruins National Monument

Aztec Ruins National Monument preserves structures and artifacts of Ancestral Pueblo people from the 1100's through 1200s. People associated with Chaco Canyon to the south built and used the structures, then people related to the Mesa Verde region to the north used the site in the 1200's. The monument was established in 1923, and designated a World Heritage Site in 1987. Acreage: 319.47

Phone
Visitor Information - (505) 334-6174
Headquarters - (505) 334-6174
Visitor Information(TDD) - (505) 334-6174

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; rest of the year, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed January 1, Thanksgiving Day, December 25.

Weather & Climate
Relatively mild winter days, occasional snow, evening temperatures sometimes drop below zero. Summer day temperatures upper 80's and low 90's, cool nights. Summer thunderstorms.

Accessibility
A TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) is available. Callers should give adequate signals and allow sufficient hookup time (505) 334-6174 then dial 30. The visitor center, restrooms, a picnic table, and portions of the trail are accessible to wheelchairs

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
INDIVIDUAL
$4.00 for 7 Days
Bonafide educational and scientific institutions may be eligible for a fee waiver. A fee waiver application may be downloaded from the park's Resources for Teachers page from the "inDEPTH" button. For more information contact Park Ranger Andy Pearce at (505) 334-6174 ext. 28 or e-mail at andy_pearce@nps.gov

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
AZTEC RUINS NATIONAL MONUMENT VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone - (505) 334-6174 ext 30
Location - Aztec Ruins National Monument is located on Ruins Road about 3/4 mile north of U.S. Highway 516, just outside the town of Aztec, New Mexico.
Closures - The monument is closed January 1, Thanksgiving Day and December 25.
Special Programs - A 25 minute orientation video program is shown throughout the day in the visitor center
Exhibits - Exhibits of artifacts excavated from the site can be seen in the visitor center.
Available Facilities - Southwest Parks and Monuments Association sells books, video tapes, calendars, postcards, and other interpretive items at an outlet located in the visitor center

FOOD		Bring plenty of granola bars for snacks, they're a perfect high energy good tasting hiking food. You've probably tried those energy bars and if you're a normal person they make you puke.
DUCT TAPE		Duct tape always saves the day. The unsung hero of the wilderness.
FISH NET		If you bring a small fish net in case of an emergency there's no way you will go hungry if you're near a creek or a lake. They weigh very little and guarantee a constant food supply just in case.
MULTI PURPOSE TOOL		Whether you're a Swiss army knife or Leatherman tool type of person you need to have a multi purpose tool with you.
CAMPSTOVE		I've used my Trailstove for a couple of years now in both summer and winter, it is absolutely amazing. Get one and you're hooked for life.
SLEEPING PAD		Good quality sleep is very important when your out in the woods, you feel a lot better if you get a good nights sleep. Sleep on something you are very comfortable on. I recommend an air mattress, they weigh a little bit but I think it's worth it.
TENT		I don't know why people are so obsessed with tents. If you are going during a cold time of the year then it's good to have one but in the summer time there's no need for one. Just bring a small tarp that you can suspend over yourself in case it rains.