[pct-l] French Speaking Hiker Help Needed ASAP

[Eckert]

Until a translator finds you, bring up Google, click on images and enter 
- winter +"Sierra Nevada". Might be worth a few words. When you do have 
a translator, I'd make sure they read the story of the poor snowshoer 
found in Evolution Lake . 
http://www.nps.gov/archive/seki/pphtml/newsdetail19139.html Also, you 
might let them look at one of the data collection points (Bishop Pass is 
one I keep handy 
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryDaily?s=BSH&d=21-Feb-2007+17:45&span=1month 
). It shows the current real time temps, highs, lows, and daily average.

dsaufley at sprynet.com wrote:

>Two 18 year old French girls have arrived at Hiker Heaven today.  No, this is not an invitation for all you suave young hiker dudes to drop in unexpectedly.  Their destination on the PCT:  Lassen Volcanic Nat'l Park, via the Sierras.  Not in June, or even May.  Now.   I don't know yet when or where they started (I'm still at the office, headed home shortly).  
>
>Needless to say, while a winter traverse of the Sierras may be achievable, the dangers are extreme, the weather unpredictable, and resupply opportunities almost nil.  For all I know they could be experienced mountaineers, but given their age, I'm deeply concerned about the amount of experience they possess in the type of extreme conditions that can be found in the Sierras this time of year.  One of my co-workers who has a place in Mammoth said they've had four feet of snow dumped in the recent storms, and there's more on the way.
>
>While I am not their Mama, I can't in good conscience let them leave to head northward without adequate understanding of their plans and abilities, and without issuing a stern warning about the remoteness and amount of risk they're taking on if they do decide to head north.  I'm just afraid that language could be a potential issue, and want to be sure that there is no misinterpreting their intentions, and prevent the warning that needs to be conveyed to them getting lost in the translation.  Of course, whether they heed any warning is out of our control, but IMHO, it must be delivered. 
>
>I know that they're planning to wait out the coming SoCal storm at our place, and will probably be there for a couple of days.  If any of you out there speak French and are willing to help, I'd like to enlist you in communicating with these girls. 
>
>More to come . . . 
>
>L-Rod
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