[pct-l] Pct-l Digest, Vol 19, Issue 46

[jomike at cot.net]

From: <pct-l-request at backcountry.net>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 9:12 AM
Subject: Pct-l Digest, Vol 19, Issue 46


> Send Pct-l mailing list submissions to
> pct-l at backcountry.net
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> pct-l-request at backcountry.net
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> pct-l-owner at backcountry.net
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Pct-l digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Callahan's hours of operation (Len Glassner)
>   2. Re: PCT Thru hiker rescued.... (jmy09 at aol.com)
>   3. Re: Ride from Seattle to Snoqualmie Pass (Tom Griffin)
>   4. Late Thru-hikers (bighummel at aol.com)
>   5. Re: Late Thru-hikers (Pea Hicks)
>   6. Re: Late Thru-hikers (Andrea Dinsmore)
>   7. Any info on what the Glacier Peak wilderness is like this
>      year? (Jeff Whitmer)
>   8. Re: Any info on what the Glacier Peak wilderness is like this
>      year? (Andrea Dinsmore)
>   9. kids packs (ralbach at austin.rr.com)
>  10. Re: PCT Thru hiker rescued.... (dsaufley)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:43:02 -0700
> From: Len Glassner <len5742 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Callahan's hours of operation
> To: PCT <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID:
> <1862be60907261343g95c2a99m5935f14a7bc7d78f at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Anyone planning on a Callahan's (Ashland) stop might be interested in 
> this:
>
> http://www.callahanslodge.com/index.html
>
> I don't have my Yogi pages for Ashland, but I think this is at
> variance from what is in there.
>
> I called to verify this: Even though they are closed on Tuesday and
> Wednesday, the front desk is available, and you can still pick up a
> package during front desk hours (9-5). I also asked if other hiker
> services are available then, and the answer was 'yes', though I have
> to wonder about the meals being available, if the restaurant is closed
> then.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:09:19 -0400
> From: jmy09 at aol.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT Thru hiker rescued....
> To: dsaufley at sprynet.com, pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <8CBDC4C7979DA8D-1708-1B6F at WEBMAIL-DZ35.sysops.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>
> Sorry, I may have mis-stated that he was a PCT Thru hiker but it was 
> stated in a follow up that he was on a long-distance hike on the Pacific 
> Crest Trail. I don't know for sure because I was not the one
> that wrote the article for the National Parks Traveler, but Jim Burnett is 
> the writer/owner, the following is his comment to his article (he is a 
> retired NPS ranger of 30 years).
> The incident took place on July 15. I wanted to share what I read and what 
> was being said about a "long distance PCT hiker".
>
>
>
>
> Jim Burnett
>
>
>
>
> Anonymous -
>
>
>
> Thanks for your comment about climbing in Yosemite. You raised some
> interesting questions, so I made a call to the park and got a few more
> details on this specific situation. I'll amend the story slightly for
> clarification, as described below.
>
>
>
> The man is making a long-distance hike on the Pacific Crest Trail,
> so he's in good condition and has some outdoor skills. He's done a
> little climbing in the eastern U.S. - but apparently nothing of the
> caliber of Yosemite. I'd note that the definition of a "climber" is a
> very subjective one!
>
>
>
> This particular situation sounds like an "impulse" activity. The man
> left his pack for his long-distance hike at the base of a nearly
> vertical wall that is about 1,000 feet high, and was free climbing with
> no protection; he was wearing hiking boots.
>
>
>
> The good news? After he was rescued, the man was described as being
> very subdued and grateful; the reality of his close call had apparently
> sunk it by the time he was safely on the ground.
>
>
>
> Given the tricky winds described in the story, I'm very thankful
> this situation ended safely for everyone, including the pilot and the
> rescuers. Those flying conditions made this rescue even riskier than
> usual, and was another testimony to the skills of those involved.
>
>
>
> All of us learn by experience, so I trust this was a lesson learned
> by this individual. Perhaps at least a few people who heard about this
> incident will also think twice before attempting something similar.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Janis-Garnet Turtle
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Donna "L-Rod" Saufley <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
> To: jmy09 at aol.com; pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Sat, Jul 25, 2009 8:22 am
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT Thru hiker rescued....
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I may have missed the original message, but why does the subject of this 
> message
> say "PCT Thru Hiker?"  All of the thrus are well north of Yosemite now 
> (close to
> or in Oregon).  The PCT/JMT does not go by Merced Lake.  The vast majority 
> of
> hikers out there in the news are NOT PCT thru hikers.  Was there a 
> previous
> message confirming that this guy was on his way to Canada on the PCT?  Or, 
> is he
> just another Darwin Award nominee displaying his qualifications out on a 
> trail?
>
> L-Rod
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:15:57 -0700
> From: Tom Griffin <griffin at u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Ride from Seattle to Snoqualmie Pass
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <4A6CE3AD.2060203 at u.washington.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> While there is not public transport to the pass, there is shuttle
> service to Cle Elum, which is about 15 miles east of the pass on I-5.
> Some PCT hikers have been known to convince the driver to stop at the
> pass (tips can help), even though technically the drivers aren't
> supposed to do it. Others have reported that it's an easy hitch back to
> the pass from Cle Elum. Here's a link to the Airporter Shuttle
>
> http://www.airporter.com/shuttle/cle-elum-to-seatac-airport-seattle
>
> It's a beautiful trip between Snoqualmie and the border and you are
> going at the right time of year. If you want to see my trip reports on
> these sections, visit
>
> http://griffinte.home.comcast.net/~griffinte/pct.html
>
> Tom "Bullfrog" Griffin
> Seatttle
>
>>Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:12:58 -0500
>>From: "Finley, Graeme" <Graeme.Finley at gt.com>
>>Subject: [pct-l] Ride from Seattle to Snoqualmie Pass
>>
>>
>>My wife and I hiked the trail in 2007 and were one of the crowd that got 
>>hit with early snow at the end of September.  We ended up being stopped at 
>>Snoqualmie Pass.  Rather than give up on our attempt to reach Canada, we 
>>road walked 160 miles from Snoqualmie and crossed the Canadian border at 
>>Abbotsford, but we weren?t able to finish the trail at Manning Park. We?re 
>>now planning to hike the last section of the trail from Snoqualmie to the 
>>border, starting on August 21st or 22nd.  I know that public 
>>transportation isn?t available from Seattle to Snoqualmie Pass, and so was 
>>wondering whether anyone might be able to give us a ride late on the 20th 
>>or on the 21st from the airport to the pass.  Obviously we?d pay for gas 
>>etc.
>>
>>Saltlick
>>
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:41:06 +0000
> From: bighummel at aol.com
> Subject: [pct-l] Late Thru-hikers
> To: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID:
> <571009169-1248660259-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-908961441- at bxe1244.bisx.prod.on.blackberry>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain
>
> I ran into Rocketman, Frank and Doublebarrel, Skywalker and several others 
> in Sierra City yesterday. My two brothers, one who climbed the Sierra 
> Buttes 32 years ago and three of our sons (one each) and two of our wives 
> hiked up to the top and the view was incredible. This group of thrus are 
> worried about being so late but don't seem to be in any hurry!
>
> Greg "Strider" Hummel
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:22:38 -0700
> From: Pea Hicks <phix at optigan.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Late Thru-hikers
> To: bighummel at aol.com
> Cc: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <4A6D0F6E.7070605 at optigan.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
>
>
> bighummel at aol.com wrote:
>> I ran into Rocketman, Frank and Doublebarrel, Skywalker and several
>> others in Sierra City yesterday. My two brothers, one who climbed the
>> Sierra Buttes 32 years ago and three of our sons (one each) and two
>> of our wives hiked up to the top and the view was incredible. This
>> group of thrus are worried about being so late but don't seem to be
>> in any hurry!
>
> on this date in 06, i was at pooh corner, about 2 days behind their
> pace... and i finished on oct 8th with no problems. there were folks
> behind me that finished as well.
>
> girlscout
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:26:12 -0700
> From: Andrea Dinsmore <zaqueltooocool at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Late Thru-hikers
> To: Pea Hicks <phix at optigan.com>
> Cc: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>, bighummel at aol.com
> Message-ID:
> <f2a521470907261926x15d1aaf4ne20ac04e3915f3bb at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> 07 and 08 the winters up here in the N Cascades were a real pain. Both 
> years
> the trail became inpassable by the end of Sept. A few brave souls made it
> through but it was no picnic. Looks like this winter may stay warmer 
> later.
> Hope so. It sure screws up plans for you guys when it hits early.
>
> PCT MOM
>
> On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 7:22 PM, Pea Hicks <phix at optigan.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> bighummel at aol.com wrote:
>> > I ran into Rocketman, Frank and Doublebarrel, Skywalker and several
>> > others in Sierra City yesterday. My two brothers, one who climbed the
>> > Sierra Buttes 32 years ago and three of our sons (one each) and two
>> > of our wives hiked up to the top and the view was incredible. This
>> > group of thrus are worried about being so late but don't seem to be
>> > in any hurry!
>>
>> on this date in 06, i was at pooh corner, about 2 days behind their
>> pace... and i finished on oct 8th with no problems. there were folks
>> behind me that finished as well.
>>
>> girlscout
>>  _______________________________________________
>> Pct-l mailing list
>> Pct-l at backcountry.net
>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:58:05 -0800
> From: Jeff Whitmer <jeff.whitmer at gmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Any info on what the Glacier Peak wilderness is like
> this year?
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
> <2df1b11c0907261958i16dc59bap3f3ef2b9c0ca630 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> I have a section hike from Stevens Pass to Stehekin that starts August 
> 1st.
> I'll be taking the PCT and not the reroute.
>
> Has anyone made it through, nobo or sobo this year?
>
> How is navigation in terms of finding the trail, washouts, finding
> bridges/logs, etc?
>
> How is the snow up there?
>
> Do all the major crossings have logs or bridges this year?
>
> I tried going through trail journals and the last two months of posts, but 
> I
> couldn't find anyone who has made it through.
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Jeff
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:13:58 -0700
> From: Andrea Dinsmore <zaqueltooocool at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Any info on what the Glacier Peak wilderness is
> like this year?
> To: Jeff Whitmer <jeff.whitmer at gmail.com>
> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
> <f2a521470907262013m16acb6acwbddb3c7dc9292fab at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> The Forest Service is advertising for hikers to go the REROUTE only. They
> have signs out at Steven's Pass and Stehekin to go the detour. I can only
> pass on what I have heard from PCT hikers who have stopped in here. 4 
> hikers
> followed the FS detour and had a terrible time. None of them made it to
> Steven's Pass on the reroute. There was some kind of blockage or trail 
> loss
> that forced them to back track to Trinity trail head and hitch to hwy 2 
> and
> west to Skykomish. The 4 that came down the ORIGINAL route had a hard time
> getting through the blow downs that were there and over some river 
> crossings
> but they made it. It's not a piece of cake. The big log over the Suiattle
> River is still there. Hikers have been taking that for the last few years. 
> I
> haven't heard of anyone falling off of it yet. You can either walk or sit 
> on
> your butt and scoot. There's a slide show of trail damage pics on our
> website under videos listing.
>
> www.dinsmoreshiikerhaven.com
>
> Forest Service says go the reroute..........hikers who have been on both 
> say
> go the original PCT. The choice is yours. I'm not a hiker.....haven't been
> on the trail I can only pass on what I hear.
>
> PCT MOM
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 7:58 PM, Jeff Whitmer 
> <jeff.whitmer at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> I have a section hike from Stevens Pass to Stehekin that starts August 
>> 1st.
>> I'll be taking the PCT and not the reroute.
>>
>> Has anyone made it through, nobo or sobo this year?
>>
>> How is navigation in terms of finding the trail, washouts, finding
>> bridges/logs, etc?
>>
>> How is the snow up there?
>>
>> Do all the major crossings have logs or bridges this year?
>>
>> I tried going through trail journals and the last two months of posts, 
>> but
>> I
>> couldn't find anyone who has made it through.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> -Jeff
>> _______________________________________________
>> Pct-l mailing list
>> Pct-l at backcountry.net
>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:21:28 -0400
> From: "ralbach at austin.rr.com" <ralbach at austin.rr.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] kids packs
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <380-220097127122128248 at M2W024.mail2web.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Howdy Folks,
>
> Next summer the kids will join me (along w my wife) for a part of section
> C. The kids ages will be 9, 11, 13.
>
> Us adults will be carrying all the hiking infrastructure - stove, water
> purifier etc.
>
> Each child will carry their own sleeping system (bag / thermarest),
> clothes, food, and water.
>
> I'm seeking suggestions regarding recomended bags. All three kids are not
> too far apart in size so definately kid sizes for all.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Robert
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> mail2web - Check your email from the web at
> http://link.mail2web.com/mail2web
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:23:37 -0700
> From: "dsaufley" <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT Thru hiker rescued....
> To: <jmy09 at aol.com>, <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <001701ca0ed6$98ca37a0$ca5ea6e0$@com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> I finally saw Mr. Burnett's revision down at the bottom of all the 
> comments,
> and saw where he stated the hiker was a PCT hiker, and thus where that bit
> of information came from.  I couldn't verify the hiker's name in our
> register, but then, many sign only with their trail name, and many jump on
> at Kennedy Meadows.  It's curious all the same; the overwhelming majority 
> of
> intended .  Added, I recall the trail to
> Merced Lake as off the JMT, before you hit  Little Yosemite Valley and the
> trail to Half Dome. and drop into Yosemite Valley.  Still, the hiker in
> question may indeed have  been hiking a distance on the PCT, with or 
> without
> the goal of getting to Canada.
>
>
>
> I always like to think of the PCT thru-hikers as being better prepared and
> more experienced than the average backpacker, but reality doesn't exactly
> match my expectation/perception in every case, to put it nicely.  Perhaps
> it's just that we have to know our limitations, and this gentleman found 
> the
> boundary where his abilities end the hard way.  I'm glad he and all of the
> brave and selfless rescue workers came out of this incident okay.
>
>
>
> L-Rod
>
>
>
> From: jmy09 at aol.com [mailto:jmy09 at aol.com]
> Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2009 2:09 PM
> To: dsaufley at sprynet.com; pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT Thru hiker rescued....
>
>
>
> Sorry, I may have mis-stated that he was a PCT Thru hiker but it was 
> stated
> in a follow up that he was on a long-distance hike on the Pacific Crest
> Trail. I don't know for sure because I was not the one
> that wrote the article for the National Parks Traveler, but Jim Burnett is
> the writer/owner, the following is his comment to his article (he is a
> retired NPS ranger of 30 years).
> The incident took place on July 15. I wanted to share what I read and what
> was being said about a "long distance PCT hiker".
>
>
>
>
> Jim Burnett <http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/users/jimb>
>
>
> Anonymous -
>
> Thanks for your comment about climbing in Yosemite. You raised some
> interesting questions, so I made a call to the park and got a few more
> details on this specific situation. I'll amend the story slightly for
> clarification, as described below.
>
> The man is making a long-distance hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, so he's
> in good condition and has some outdoor skills. He's done a little climbing
> in the eastern U.S. - but apparently nothing of the caliber of Yosemite. 
> I'd
> note that the definition of a "climber" is a very subjective one!
>
> This particular situation sounds like an "impulse" activity. The man left
> his pack for his long-distance hike at the base of a nearly vertical wall
> that is about 1,000 feet high, and was free climbing with no protection; 
> he
> was wearing hiking boots.
>
> The good news? After he was rescued, the man was described as being very
> subdued and grateful; the reality of his close call had apparently sunk it
> by the time he was safely on the ground.
>
> Given the tricky winds described in the story, I'm very thankful this
> situation ended safely for everyone, including the pilot and the rescuers.
> Those flying conditions made this rescue even riskier than usual, and was
> another testimony to the skills of those involved.
>
> All of us learn by experience, so I trust this was a lesson learned by 
> this
> individual. Perhaps at least a few people who heard about this incident 
> will
> also think twice before attempting something similar.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Janis-Garnet Turtle
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Donna "L-Rod" Saufley <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
> To: jmy09 at aol.com; pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Sat, Jul 25, 2009 8:22 am
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT Thru hiker rescued....
>
> I may have missed the original message, but why does the subject of this
> message
>
>
>
>
>
>
> say "PCT Thru Hiker?"  All of the thrus are well north of Yosemite now
> (close to
>
>
>
>
>
>
> or in Oregon).  The PCT/JMT does not go by Merced Lake.  The vast majority
> of
>
>
>
>
>
>
> hikers out there in the news are NOT PCT thru hikers.  Was there a 
> previous
>
>
>
>
>
>
> message confirming that this guy was on his way to Canada on the PCT?  Or,
> is he
>
>
>
>
>
>
> just another Darwin Award nominee displaying his qualifications out on a
> trail?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> L-Rod
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> <http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
>
> End of Pct-l Digest, Vol 19, Issue 46
> *************************************
>