[pct-l] snowbridges/trip prep/Sonora Pass

[Marion Davison]

I concur that you can most likely do the JMT starting July 20 without 
snow concerns in most years.  Since it is impossible to equip llamas 
with crampons and an ice ax, we generally start our long trips around 
July 20, and in heavy snow years we don't start until August 1.  One 
year when snow was very light we were able to start in June!   We carry 
a shovel to dig out snowy trails but have only used it once (near the 
top of Forester).
Llamas' instincts are very intact, so it is just about impossible to 
persuade them to step on snow if they can hear water running 
underneath.  They won't do a snow bridge!  When we encounter such 
conditions they are quite happy to go cross country thru rock fields and 
slabs to go around the snow fields.  We have done this on many passes.
We hiked Sonora Pass in August when it had only one snow field, and I 
found the loose soil on the trail and the big cliffs very unnerving.  I 
slid about 8 times while hiking downhill to the parking lot.  My 
trekking poles saved me.  When I got home I threw out my shoes and got 
shoes with better tread.
Marion