[pct-l] optimal conditions

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

Looking through Trailjournal photos of people at the border, I'm not  
seeing as much snow as you say there is. People seem to be making it  
fine with lightweight equipment. If you want to hump along with a  
pack full of winter gear, that is your decision. But people can and  
do hike from April to October with appropriate gear that is  
lightweight and they do reach the Canadian border so you cannot say  
that people are guaranteed or even more likely to fail. It simply is  
not true.

I poked around briefly and this is what I saw of pictures of people  
at the Canadian border monument.

2009:
Late September: short sleeves and sunglasses, no snow
Early October: down jackets but no snow on the ground

How about 2006
Early September: shorts and short sleeves, no snow
Early October: shorts, long sleeves and no snow
Early November: now there's some snow!

How about 2005
Late September: short sleeves, no snow
Early October: looks cold, but no snow


On Sep 7, 2010, at 3:52 PM, <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

> This takes us back to our original topic,
>
> - Planning and Timing
>
>
> If you leave after the KO, the end of April, you only have a 4- 
> month weather-safe window which we'll refer to as your hiking  
> season (May, June, July, and August). To hike the North Cascades  
> into September is risking getting dumped on by early season snow  
> that may not melt off as the days are short and temps are getting  
> colder. By planning this timing, you are hoping that most of the  
> snow will be melted off the Sierra by the time you get there so  
> that you can continue your pace right on through. Not this year.  
> Why not just prepare to hike over snow and leave earlier so you can  
> go slower?
>
>
>
> Ned Tibbits, Director
> Mountain Education
> 1106A Ski Run Blvd
> South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
>    P: 888-996-8333
>    F: 530-541-1456
>    C: 530-721-1551
>    http://www.mountaineducation.org
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Diane Soini of Santa Barbara  
> Hikes" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
> To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 3:27 PM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] optimal conditions
>
>
>>
>> On Sep 7, 2010, at 12:38 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>>
>>> Again, we teach "snow sense," winter skills and techniques that
>>> keep you warm and dry and allow you to safely enjoy the Fourth  
>>> Season.
>> ...
>>>
>>> So, without knowing the credo of the UL, I guess that is what most
>>> thru hikers hope for, ideal conditions and timing, and just "deal
>>> with it" otherwise.
>>
>> The typical PCT thru-hiker does not hike during the 4th season.
>>
>> A lightweight hiker will choose the gear needed for the season they
>> are hiking in.
>>
>> I would hope that even a winter hiker would check the weather report
>> before heading out and not go out in a really bad storm.
>>
>> Curious, what would you think of someone carrying heavy 4th season
>> winter gear while hiking in the backcountry to the immediate north of
>> Santa Barbara/Ventura/Fillmore in July or August? Better prepared?
>> Better able to handle whatever conditions may come his way? A little
>> foolish but probably going to be okay?
>>
>> I'll answer that. It'll likely be 110 degrees during the day. There
>> likely will be very long stretches without water. The flies will
>> drive you insane. The scrub will be tinder dry and might catch fire
>> if you look at it funny. Laden with 65lbs of snow gear, you're going
>> to be one unhappy, overheated, dehydrated camper and it's not
>> farfetched to say that you might actually die. People do die back  
>> there.
>>
>> I do not force the gear or strategies I would recommend for hiking in
>> the Santa Barbara/Ventura/Fillmore area in July or August on PCT
>> hikers. It makes no sense. Just as snow tables and snow caves and
>> carrying huge dromedaries so you don't have to dangle over an ice
>> bridge doesn't make any sense for a PCT hiker coming through
>> Desolation Wilderness in July.
>>
>> Diane
>>
>>
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>