[pct-l] snow in oregon and GPS performance

[Doug Musso]

the hikers were using a delorme PN-20 and had a good signal in the heavy 
tree cover. they had delorme topo 6 data plus delorme scans   of quad maps 
for extra detail in their hiking corridor. These maps were downloaded to an 
SD card and the card placed in the handheld pn-20 GPS unit. The unit 
performed very well. The real safety issues centered around totally 
depending on a gismo for one's well being. The big color screen is great and 
the features easier to use than the Garmin color vista we used on a previous 
California pct thru hike Tim and his sister Juli did in 2005.

Doug Musso wrote:
	 	for Rob:
I just returned from  from Oregon as support van driver for 3 experienced 
hikers. The following observations:
June 4,5 difficult to drive to cal-ore trail crossing snow covered roads 8' 
deep drifts in shaded areas. Try applegate area roads. light snowing during 
2day hike to I-5.trail in good condition and free of standing  snow.
June 6 attempted hiking northward from fish lake. deep snow totally 
obscuring trail on mt mclaughlin. needed GPS to follow unseeable trail 
entire hike. turned back for safety concerns. Do you trust a GPS for your 
navigation in heavy forrest over miles of deep snow?
June 7 drove to Crater lake. North entrance closed to heavy snow. Rim trail 
closed and covered with many feet of solid snow. gorgeous scene actually. we 
drove to Windigo pass Stopped about 3 miles from road summit by standing 
water on road from snow melt.
June 8: hiked to Summit lake on a clear sky day. walking on top of solid 
snow most of the day. PCT covered by snow most of the way needed Gps to know 
where to go especially in deep woods with no ground visible.
June 9: Summit lake to hyw58 on stormy day. On deep snow most of day. clouds 
and snowing blocking view of landmarks and trail most of the way.
June 10: took day off trail due to weather.
June 11: hyw 58 towards Charlton Lake: nice weather and pleasant non-snow 
trail leaving valley. Encountered lots of deep snow in heavy woods bailed 
out over to Waldo Lake Road. Went to soak in hot springs.
The consensus of the hikers was  that the safety issue of hiking with no 
trail visible and the threat of bad weather occluding landmarks made the 
dependence upon a GPS unit too risky. The hikers opted to hike at lower 
elevations near the coast for a few weeks and check with NFS for snow levels 
to change before returning to the PCT. Hope this info is useful.