[pct-l] How early can the sierras be entered?

[Steel-Eye]

Good evening, Adam,

As you can see on the historical snow plot site 
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/PLOT_SWC.2008.pdf  the residual 
snowpack levels in May and June can vary greatly.  '83 was a heavy year but 
there were some thru-hikers that season.  This plot for the spring '09 
season should be definitive prior to a hiker needing to make a commitment to 
leave Kennedy Meadows.  Heavy snowpack in the early season will require:  1) 
Snow travel, route-finding, and snow camping experience; 2)  The weight of 
additional gear; 3) The weight of additional food; 4) The understanding that 
snow travel, route-finding, and greater weight means fewer miles per day --  
hence even more weight of food, and; 5) The willingness and self-reliance to 
hike a vast stretch of remote trail with many fewer other hikers.

Enjoy,

Steel-Eye
http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye



^^^^^^^^^^  Serious hikers gather at:  http://www.aldhawest.org/  ^^^^^^^^^^





----- Original Message ----- 
From: <amccurdy at student.umass.edu>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 1:56 PM
Subject: [pct-l] How early can the sierras be entered?


> After reading some of the post about hiking early in the Sierras I was 
> wondering
> what peoples opinions are on how early the Sierras can actually be 
> entered?  I
> was also wondering if there would be any additional gear needed.  I've 
> hiked in
> the snow but much of the time I've had to carry either snow shoes or 
> crampons
> would that be necessary?
>
> Adam
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