[pct-l] March 2009

[Donna "L-Rod" Saufley]

Robert writes:

"But that nice and cool turns to brutal cold real fast in the next section. Snow covered trails and dangerous ice in section B."

A warning about this is good and needs to be said.  Being prepared for what you might encounter is imperative.  The truth is, every year there are folks who start in March and make it through successfully without skipping snowbound areas like San Jacinto, the San Bernardinos, or Baden Powell and the San Gabriels. They are generally experienced folks that are prepared for the conditions they encounter (i.e., winter clothing and shelter, ice axes and the knowledge of how to use them, sometimes snow shoes, and map/compass knowledge).  

The thing that gets left out is that you should be prepared to get through some serious weather and conditions in Southern California -- even if you start from Campo in April or May.  This is even more true in recent years as we continue to experience freakish weather extremes.  There were way too many hikers who needed to be "rescued" when a snow storm blew into the local mountains this past May.  They sent their cold weather gear ahead because it had been hot for a spell and they either didn't want to, or feel it necessary to, carry it.

I've learned to never underestimate -- or over-estimate for that matter -- a hiker's abilities.  There are people on the PCT who've climbed Everest, taught mountaineering to militaries worldwide, and well, are much finer athletes and adventurers than I could ever hope to be.  Sad to say, there are also a fair number of Darwin Award candidates. One of my goals in life is not to be one of them! 

L-Rod


-----Original Message-----
>From: "Robert W. Freed" <robert at engravingpros.com>
>Sent: Nov 21, 2008 1:14 PM
>To: mr_razorblade2003 at yahoo.co.uk, pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] March 2009
>
>Early March is pushing the start time hard. You will be fine through section A. In fact it is a great time of year to hike section A. Plenty of good water, nice and cool in the desert. But that nice and cool turns to brutal cold real fast in the next section. Snow covered trails and dangerous ice in section B.
> 
> 
>>Hi, was just wondering whether anyone else out there was thinking of starting at Campo round early March '09??
>_______________________________________________
>Pct-l mailing list
>Pct-l at backcountry.net
>http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l