[pct-l] Average Minimum Daily Mileage Snow

[Brick Robbins]

Route finding in this area is not very difficult in snow.

The terrain is quite dramatic, and it is pretty easy to get yourself
in the correct drainage, and go over the right passes.

Route finding in snow north of Interstate 80 is a mess without a GPS

And there is quite a bit of elevation change in this area, so unless
you are going in April or May, you shouldn't expect 100% coverage.

For example when I came through this area in July 1995 (northbound,) I
picked up snow below Tyndal creek, and kept it to just above Vidette
Meadows. The "transition" areas around the snow boundaries are the
most dangerous because the snow is so rotten, and they take the most
time.

Here are some pictures taken July 13, 1995
http://www.fastpack.com/brick/forester.html


If you go early enough that there is 100% coverage, then some good
mountaineering skis will really help your progress.



On Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 10:27 AM,  <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com> wrote:
> >From Kennedy Meadows north, anticipating the worst case scenario, all
> snow-covered trail, what is the average minimum daily mileage one can expect
> to accomplish en route to Kearsarge or VVR?
>
> My guess is 8 to 12 miles per day for route-finding while slogging it out
> through Sierra Cement in and out of the nasty creek crossings....
>
> Mtnned
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gary Wright" <gwtmp01 at mac.com>
> To: "Thomas Ricks" <rickstw at hotmail.com>
> Cc: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:17 AM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Minimum pack size/volume
>
>
>>
>> On Oct 28, 2009, at 12:39 PM, Thomas Ricks wrote:
>>> Please address minimum pack size/volume for a pct hike thru.  My
>>> base weight is approximately 10 lbs.  I am looking at the GG Gorilla
>>> with 2800 ci (46L).  A little small but the other features are very
>>> attractive.  I know the Gorilla has been used for sections of the
>>> pct but am unsure if used for the entire length.
>>
>> IMHO, the most difficult points on the PCT for pack capacity are
>> leaving Mojave and leaving Kennedy Meadows.
>>
>> When you leave Mojave you'll need 6-7 days of food to get to KM (if
>> you don't resupply at Walker Pass) and you'll need lots of water to
>> get you to Golden Oak Spring (18-26 miles depending on which road
>> crossing you start from).  In a dry year, Golden Oak might be
>> unreliable in which case you need to get to Robin Bird.  I don't have
>> the data book in front of me but I think Robin Bird is 32+ miles from
>> Mojave.
>>
>> Out of Kennedy Meadows you don't have to worry about water as much but
>> you'll have a bear canister, possibly an ice axe, and 6-7 days of food
>> (Independence) or 10-11 days of food (VVR).
>>
>> If your gear selection works for those two situations, you're all set.
>>
>> Gary Wright (Radar)
>>
>>
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>
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