[pct-l] Good News & Bad News

[enyapjr at comcast.net]

JMT,
Probably a waste of time, but here goes...

> So many nervous and up-tight members on this list...
Sorry, but I'm not nervous nor uptight...  I am, however, tiring of your posts the last 2 months
about "tons of snow" in the Sierra, while in reality it is and has been below average - yes, even 
in your beloved Mammoth area, too...

<http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/2009-January/022868.html>, Jan. 14:
> There is plenty snow, so get your snow shoes tuned.....you will need them.

<http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/2009-February/024434.html>, Feb. 17:
> Forget about earlier reports of below average snow cover.  There are tons of snow 
> in the Sierra and with tons more to come the forecasts predict above average snow 
> coverage before the end of the snow season.

<http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/2009-March/025349.html>, Mar. 8:
> The bad news.......there are tons of snow in the Sierra.
> Perhaps a light weight hiker snow shovel would be advisable for the first wave...

Sorry, again, but the data/facts just don't match your "tons of snow" synopses...
<http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryMonthly?MAM>, Mammoth Pass:
2/2009 is 70% of 2/2008, and 3/2009 is 74% of 3/2008...
<http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryMonthly?MMT>, Mammoth:
2/2009 is 46% of 2/2008, and 3/2009 is 59% of 3/2008...
The link I previously included, <http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/PLOT_SWC.2009.pdf>,
clearly shows the 2008-09 trace below the "average" plot and currently 90% of "average to date"
and 78% of "April 1 average"...
I still stand by my statement that it is too early to tell what the Sierra snow conditions will be for the 
'09 thrus, whether there is "tons of snow" now or not...  So why talk of snowshoes or snow shovels
possibly being needed by this year's thrus, especially since Sierra snow is still below average - 
unless you are trying to "scare" some newbies for some reason?  'Humor' for yourself?
BTW, the weather forecast for the next 15 days shows no precipitation for Mammoth Lakes, and
precip maps showing "below normal" for central and southern CA for the same period...

> I don't know if you guys realize this or not, but the JMT/PCT run right past Mammoth Mt. ...
I vaguely remember a rumor to that effect...   ;-)  Thanks for clearing that up.

Happy trails!!!
Jim / PITA