[pct-l] High Sierra Snow: Leaders and followers

[Stephen]

Mr Posthole,
Yes very good advice.  But let me also suggest this.  If a group sets 
outwitha couple experienced people, canthey not search out some good pratice 
area witha safe run-out and start learning proper axe technique and habits. 
I am self taught.  I had to read about proper handling and how to carry the 
axe at the ready.  I went out and found places to practice and had a lot of 
fun and a few bruises.  First I tried just sliding easy and getting myself 
arrested.  then fastrer and steeper. Then I litteraly tried to simulate 
falls.  I'd toss myself down a slope head first on belly, on my back, 
sideways, everywhich way. And once I banged myself up enough Iput my pack on 
and started all over again.  Though carrying a heavier winter pack, it was 
worth doing.  It's a bit different getting rolled over with the pack on. 
One thing that imediately became apparent was that a quick arrest in hard 
snow and icey conditions gives a great big pull on the axe, and thus 
familiarity and technique with the lanyard may be as important as any other 
aspect of the axe.  When I was on Lassen peak once I met a fella with an axe 
who had no idea how to use it.  No lanyard, and no idea how to carry it. 
Here I said, practice like so, and this is why etc...  I would think folks 
would be ready to offer a little on the job training along the way.  If you 
see someone who obviously has very little experience or no clue whatsoever 
offer some help.  Help build some self confidence. Not to do so may result 
in having to deal with someone stranded in a precarious sittuaition farther 
up the trail with safety ropes to assist inwhat might be a minor rescue. 
Brainlock on steep icy terrain is a frightening thing.  I have felt it 
coming on more than once, and it was all I could do to get turned around and 
headed back to a safe place to recover my whits.  I may have been fine to go 
on, or maybe not, but that feeling of being hung out is not something very 
enjoyable.  Fortunately I let fear do it's thing while the rest of me 
remains calm and carries on with the business at hand.
I've seen so many people stumbling along with hiking poles that would be 
better served to have left them on the rack at the store and watch where 
they are placing thier feet.  And so it goes sometimes with snow and ice 
equipment.  One of the first things someone should notice is the axe, like 
crampons, are hard, pointed and unforgiving (kinda like a couple ex's).  If 
you are not sure,or have never familiarized yourself with the axe, take 
Postholers advise and get some instruction.  You may or may not need it, and 
then again, if your plane is falling towards the ground, you may or may not 
need a parachute.
Quite often there are stories circulating in the Sierra after the PCT flow 
goes through about water and snow mishaps.  Perhaps the some of you knew of 
an experienced PCT hiker who fell on Cottonwood Pass a couple seasons back. 
The word was he had no axe.  But the results would have been the same if the 
fall heppened to someone with no knowledge of how to handle one.  There are 
times when one should know when to go on, and when to back off and seek a 
safer route or bypass, or wait for improved conditions.  And I'll add this, 
the same is true for fording creeks.  Then there is no axe, and the early 
season in the Sierra can be anything from low snow melt and knee deep to 
impassable and highly dangerous.  A couple seasons ago there were chest deep 
crossings, not fords.  There was some carnage all right.  I remember seeing 
lines strung accross a couple fords that I assume were used to ferry packs. 
I don't know, and at least use line like a repel and take your string with 
you.  It was thigh deep and not too bad when I chanced along a couple weeks 
later.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Postholer" <public at postholer.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 4:52 PM
Subject: [pct-l] High Sierra Snow: Leaders and followers


> Is your well-being the responsibility of another?
>
> Of course not. Still, every season you see it happen, loose groups form at
> Kennedy Meadows; the front porch of the Sierra. The poorly skilled seek 
> out
> those with experience in preparing to cross those snowy passes. This
> grouping is not a bad thing, it's very good.
>
> However, you can be another member of your group or you can be an asset.
> It's *your* choice. Many of you will enter the Sierra with a compass, a 
> map,
> an ice axe and no idea how to use them. You will have never genuinely
> considered the reality of icy, crusty morning snow until the first time 
> you
> set foot on it. The first swift, knee-deep creek you encounter will give 
> you
> serious pause.
>
> The solution is simple, get some training and experience *before* you 
> really
> need it.
>
> Ned Tibbit's is scheduling a free PCT prep snow course, two of them in 
> fact.
> You'll learn what every PCT thru-hiker should know before hiking into
> mountainous spring snow conditions. His first course filled up quickly, so
> be sure to sign up for the second one.
>
> Ned is recognized as *the* PCT-L snow mentor. You'll learn alot from him. 
> So
> turn off the TV and make plans to spend 3 days near South Lake Tahoe in
> April. If Tahoe is a 1,000 miles too far, seek out a resource near you to
> get familiarized with the conditions you will encounter in the spring
> Sierra.
>
> You can schedule your training with Ned via email:
> ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com
>
>>From the reigning, undisputed snow wimp,
>
> -postholer
>
> ------------------------------------
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>
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