[pct-l] prep advice

[Ned Tibbits]

AsABat!

Your experience brings up a major point:

your safety in a remote setting, and therefore your enjoyment of it, is 
contingent upon your assessment of the conditions before you (the strength 
and pitch of the snow and the hazards under and below) and the circumstances 
you're presently in (how you got there, whether you can move without 
slipping, how tired you are, etc.).

Sure, you can hopefully rely on another to make these calls for you, but 
your own trip is made better and you more confident if you take the time 
beforehand to learn how to make these assessments for yourself by learning 
from someone else out in similar circumstances and conditions you'll be 
expecting if conditions are at their worst.  Then practice, practice, 
practice.

Whether you actually, suddenly, come across a condition where you'll need to 
use crampons and ice axe, you'll have them to further your safety and 
security through the situation, as you did on your way up that long and 
tedious ascent of Mather's north side.

Though your pack will weigh more, and that may be a mental struggle for you, 
if you believe conditions will warrant it ahead, carry whatever gear you 
need to keep you safe, whether you actually use it or not. Besides, you'll 
be stronger by then to carry the weight.  There is a time for ultralight, 
especially at the beginning of a long hike when you're not strong, but when 
you know you're going into changing, potentially dangerous conditions, be 
prepared for them and carry whatever you might need.  It makes no sense to 
risk getting hurt and having to suffer or delay or quit your hike when you 
can arm yourself with the requisite skills and tools to have a confident, 
knowledgeable, situationally aware, and fun hike!

Whether we romanticize the aspiring hike and plan into it blindly or 
thoroughly prepare beyond just ounces and cubic inches, this is a decision 
that affects the success of the adventure, whether the trip becomes a 
marvelous experience of a lifetime or something of disappointment and 
lament.  Think on this.

Mtnned

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "AsABat" <AsABat at 4Jeffrey.Net>
To: <djm1313 at foo21.com>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 2:00 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] prep for JMT--advice?


> Unless it is an unusually heavy snow year, snow should be of little
> consequence by July 20.
>
> However, late July of 1998 was an exception. I led a group of 7 from
> southbound from Bishop Pass. The north side of Mather Pass was almost 
> solid
> snow and ice for several miles. The two of us with instep crampons and ice
> axes broke trail for those with only trekking poles. Even this could have
> been done without such equipment, but they sure made it easier and safer.
>
> AsABat
>
>> We are planning to hike the JMT SOBO during summer 2007 (July 20-Aug 15 
>> or
>> so), and are wondering if it is necessary at that time to bring crampons
>> or
>> an ice axe.  Obviously, this depends on conditions, but just curious what
>> the general sentiment is out there.  I tend to err on the safe side, but 
>> I
>> suspect that carrying this equipment at that time of year might be
>> overkill??
>
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