[pct-l] Snowshoes and the JMT

[Greg Kesselring]

Chris,

I would guess that summer snow in the Sierra is similar to summer snow 
in our North Cascades.  Here in WA you can walk right on top of the 
snowfields during summer.  After the winter season, by April the sun is 
back, we start getting some sunny days and clear nights, and you start 
getting daily melt/freeze cycles that eventually consolidate the 
snowpack into what's commonly called corn snow--more like granules of 
ice than the snowflakes they started out as.  As that process continues 
over many weeks, the snowpack gets more and more solid, and eventually 
you can walk right on top of it, or what's left of it.

Here in WA you could use snowshoes thru May and June.   But by July 
what's left of the winter snowpack is well consolidated and you can walk 
on top of it. 

I would guess the Sierra snowpack goes thru a similar metamorphosis, but 
starts earlier because that range starts getting consistently clear and 
sunny weather by April.  So I would guess that by June, you'd have a 
well consolidated snowpack consisting of granular corn snow.  Barring an 
unusual dump that time of year, you'd probably be able to walk on top of 
it by June.

Those of you who hike down there regularly, what's your experience 
regarding what time of year snowshoes are no longer necessary?

Greg


cvano at tmail.com wrote:
> So, having had a 'close encounter of the cold kind' I'm seriously 
> considering the need for snowshoes.  I like winter hiking and am still 
> planing a JMT in late July.  Doc says the frostbite should be all better 
> by then.  What are your thoughts for carrying 4 lbs of snowshoes for the 
> JMT in late July-early August?  Also, I walked out 2 weeks ago on black 
> MSR shoes, this being my only experience with any snowshoes, I guess 
> they worked pretty well.  I don't know what kind they were other than 
> MSR.  I'm around 250 lbs with gear.  I looked at about a zillion kinds 
> the other day at REI and am more confused now than ever.  What are you 
> thoughts about brands, styles, price etc?  Thanks
> It's not the Mountain that we conquer,
> but Ourselves.  Anon.
>
> Chris ~ S/V Drifter
> Anacortes, WA. ~~~_/) ~~~
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