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

[Ned Tibbits]

Just an addendum:

I left Welden (Lake Isabella) April 14 and headed up onto the Kern Plateau, 
a bit ahead of the "wave."

My thoughts on ice axes & crampons when I get back from class...

Mtnned

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ned Tibbits" <ned at mountaineducation.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>; "Sarah Faulkner" <sarah.faulkner at yale.edu>
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 3:35 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT hike window & ice axe/crampons


> 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!
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> For Information on Programs, previous Trips, and Photo Gallery,
>
> Please visit: www.mountaineducation.com
> ----- 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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>
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