[pct-l] Winter Thru-hike.....North Cascades...........

[Andrea Dinsmore]

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/recreation/activities/trails/skykomish.shtml

Here's a local Forest Service update on the trails around Steven's Pass and
Skykomish, WA.

PCT MOM


On 6/6/08, Steel-Eye <chelin at teleport.com> wrote:
>
> Good morning, Gracie,
>
> I certainly agree with Postholer's comments, and would expand upon one
> aspect:  Early to mid-season snow in the western mountains is vastly
> different from what you see reported by typical PCT hikers in the Sierras
> or
> North Cascades.  Early snow is deep and loose, not yet having had time to
> coalesce into the mostly firm snowpack upon which it is usually possible to
> walk.
>
> Often being anxious to start my winter hiking I set out in the early season
> with my snowshoes, and soon find out - again - why early snow is such a
> delight to the alpine skiers.  It is fun for those downhill slat-riders
> because it is nice soft stuff to ski through -- not on.  Using snowshoes
> under those conditions is considerably less fun.  My regular 30" trekking
> snowshoes are hopeless.  I have an old pair of wide, 48" snowshoes also,
> and
> I have literally been above my waist in powder while wearing them.  I have
> said trying to walk under those conditions is like trying to wade a river
> with a blanket tied to each foot.
>
> I strongly recommend you gain lots of experience hiking in deep, loose snow
> before you even consider such a trek.  Doing so would also give you a
> chance
> to polish your route-finding skills when encounter heavy snowfall, strong
> winds, and near zero visibility for days on end.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Steel-Eye
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gracie Sorbello" <onewheelforlife at gmail.com>
> To: "PCT Forum Post" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 8:02 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] Winter Thru-hike
>
>
> > Hi,
> > I have been thinking about doing a thru-hike for several years, and in
> all
> > my pondering began to wonder what it would be like to thru-hike the PCT
> in
> > the winter.  I'm sure someone out there has at some point, but does
> anyone
> > have info on such a trip?  This is something I'm very interested in
> doing,
> > and an informative resource would be really helpful.
> >
> > Further questions I would have include:
> > - will any sections become simply impassable during the winter?
> > - do any trail guidebooks include GPS coordinates for the entire PCT?
> > - are there many sections of the trail that are particularly prone to
> > avalanches?
> > - would MSR Denali Ascent snowshoes (with flotation tails) be enough for
> > both flotation on snow and traction on ice?  or would I need crampons as
> > well?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Gracie
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