[pct-l] Ice/Snow

[Scott Williams]

Hi Katica,

The snow was pretty daunting this year as there was not much melt off due to
an unusually cold spring, but lots of people with little or no experience in
snow, made it over safely.  A group of 5 of us banded together and agreed to
stay together over the High Sierra for that reason.  Thank you Mango, Little
Engine, Plain Slice and Smiles.  We had varying amounts of deep snow
experience, but the added brain power, and deliberated decision making, not
to mention 10 eyes instead of 2 to find burried trail, I think was really
important in having had a successful transit, and a really fun, if hard,
experience.  Even if you leave Campo alone, by the time you're in the
Sierra, you'll know alot of hikers, and hopefully have made enough friends
that you won't have to go it alone.

 A great way to get that experience in a more controlled setting is to take
Mountain Ned's snow training classes which he leads on a donation basis.  He
teaches in the Tahoe area most of the winter, but last spring led classes in
the San Jacinto Mtns, just when the pack was in that area.  Everyone I know
who took them raved about the experience.  So that would be a good way to
start and give you a real sense of your own strength and ability in the cold
stuff.  But hooking in with more snow seasoned travelers is a very real
possibility.  Even Smiles, a Swiss skier/mountaineer, with 40 years
experience, had decided not to enter the Sierra alone this year, and was
about to jump to the Northern Sierra when we invited her to join our group.
It was a great way to go.

Shroomer





On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 1:03 PM, Katica Dias <katicadias at optusnet.com.au>wrote:

> I am seeking advice on whether snow/ice skills are realistically
> needed on a PCT thru-hike.  I am comfortable in the outdoors, have
> done other long walks, but as an Australian, I have walked in snow for
> a total of 2hrs in my entire life!  I am drawn to the PCT (over the
> Appalachian) for the longer daily distance and fewer people but I also
> need to be realistic about whether it is honestly feasible to thru-
> hike the PCT without experience in snow and ice.  I was, for example,
> considering delaying my start on the PCT for a few weeks after the
> traditional start time to try and avoid the snow, but am not sure is
> sufficient?  If I am being too idealistic, I would rather know that
> now, so I can go walk the Appalachian successfully, rather than
> attempt and fail the PCT due to snow conditions.  Any and all advice
> happily received.
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