[pct-l] PCT hike window & ice axe/crampons

[Ned Tibbits]

O.K., we'll chime in on this one,

Considering Spring snow conditions (percolating, wet base with morning ice 
on top and little chance of avalanche), whether there is a foot, three, or 
twenty feet of snow, dealing with it, walking over or thru it, is the same. 
Plan for reduced mileage and creek crossings and schedule for it.

Therefore, it is perfectly ok to leave early if you plan for the conditions 
expected.

I did my thru leaving March 14th and arriving Sept. 2 with zeros every 5th 
day (scheduled) in a year where the preceding winter dropped 28 feet of snow 
by February in the Tahoe area. I had snow from Monache Mdw. (2-3') all the 
way thru Oregon (2-3' of fairly solid stuff and some mud) to August 1st.. 
Washington (August) still had patches of snow all the way to Harts Pass 
where I finally ran into a trail crew clearing trees and branches.

Synopsis:  Yes, it's possible and still a gas, just be prepared for what 
you're going to find. You'll make it by Sept. 1st., even with slow days for 
snow, creeks, wet, and mud. You'll never forget it!


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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sarah Faulkner" <sarah.faulkner at yale.edu>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 8:25 AM
Subject: [pct-l] PCT hike window


> Hey there,
>
> My name is Sarah and I am a hopeful 2008 northbound thru hiker.   I
> will be hiking with my friend, Laura.  We are both pretty fit and
> active.   This is to give some background for my question.  We have
> been planning to thruhike since last summer, but with the snow
> conditions tallied up to now, I am starting to wonder if it will be
> possible.
>
> I start a new job September 1, 2008.  My impression for now is that
> the start date is not flexible.  However, our departure date is very
> flexible.
>
> All of my questions relate to my (our) ability to get to the Canada
> border by september 1.  I realize that ideally there would be no time
> pressure, and we would take days off when we reached a great stopping
> point, and we wouldn't be hurried, but the situation is really that
> if I cannot reach the border by September 1 -- then I will not be
> able to hike.
>
> I would be extremely grateful for you experienced folks' expertise on
> the following questions:
>
> 1.  For the postholer site that gives you an approximate sierra entry
> window, where exactly does this assume the sierra entry is?  I would
> assume KM, but looking at the TOPO map, it looks like there are
> reasonably elevated portions before there.  (I am trying to work
> backwards from that date/location to decide the earliest feasible
> date we can leave, and thus the earliest we could potentially finish).
>
> 2.  What would happen if we entered the Sierra before that date?
> Would it be possible/safe to get through with the right gear?  We are
> planning on taking an orienteering course in snow conditions in
> Vermont sometime soon.  ( I realize that the answer to this question
> depends to some degree on the amount of snow.)
>
> Has anyone left "early" and could they give us advice?  Is it
> realistic at all to try?
>
> I may just suck it up and hike until I have to be back, but it sure
> would be disappointing to get within a week or two of the border and
> then have to leave.  I could also just wait until April to decide,
> but I hate to put off buying all my gear until the last second.
>
> Thanks so much!
>
> Sarah
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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