[pct-l] French Speaking Hiker Help -- Other Advice Needed

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

To all who have emailed (or called) on this subject:

First thank you.  This is a wonderful community when help is needed, and I really appreciate being able to put a request out there for help and get so many great responses.  This list continues to be an incredible resource!

Second, the young women hikers, Lucy and Clarisse (could be Clarice), arrived late yesterday afternoon, and had already come to grips (sort of) with the fact that they can't go through the Sierras.  Thankfully, I didn't have to burst their bubble -- I think Todd up at North Fork ranger station had that honor.  Lucy's English is fairly robust, and she translates for Clarisse.  We're doing okay with communication. 

They want to experience as much of the Sierras as they can without putting their lives in danger, so the focus of this message has shifted:

What DOES make the most sense to see and enjoy the Sierras this time of year, and under the current conditions without ice axe, snow shoes, etc.?  I was thinking that heading up 395, and trying to get in at the passes (such as Trail Pass, Kersarge, or Mammoth) would at least give them some kind of Sierra experience.  But then, that may not be feasible either.  

L-Rod


-----Original Message-----
>From: dsaufley at sprynet.com
>Sent: Feb 21, 2007 5:23 PM
>To: Back Country Mail List <pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net>
>Subject: French Speaking Hiker Help Needed ASAP
>
>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
>
>
>
>