[pct-l] Latest snow report N. Cascades

[Andrea Dinsmore]

I don't understand the charts online that deal with the snow depth up here
in the North Cascades but the first hand info and photos from hikers who
have come through Skykomish from the north and south are vastly different.
This is what I am getting from those who have tromped around in the snow.

SNOW REPORT

THIS IS FROM THE FIRST HIKER TO MAKE IT FROM MANNING PARK TO STEVEN'S PASS.
WE'VE HAD 12 HIKERS FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS AT OUR HOME IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS AND
ALL BUT 2 HAVE FLIPPED SOUTH OR GONE HOME.  (8.3.11)

First off I'm going to preface this for potential SOBOers.  I'm not going to
tell you not to do it.  If you're anything like me that won't make a damn
bit a difference.  What I will tell you is what it's like.  It's dangerous,
wild, breathtakingly beautiful, and exhausting (mentally and physically).
It's doable but only if you don't mind hiking 80% of the time in the snow
and don't have a lot of fear.  I'd say 30% of the time if I had slipped
that'd be it.   In general (even yesterday),  3' of snow at 4500 ft
(sometimes down to 4000ft) with more as you go up.  Though after a foot it
really doesn't seem to matter since you're walking on top of it for the most
part anyway.  Going was tough. Averaged 1 mph so though one section took me
6 hours to go 2 miles.  Had one day where I hiked though a snowstorm and was
only able to cover 9 miles.  Best day was 18 because I hit some trail below
4000.  There's so much snow I'd say it's going to be tough for the next 2 to
3 weeks. It's physically and mentally draining hiking though that much snow
(and tretcherous slopes).

UPDATE (8.16.11)........4 HIKERS CAME THROUGH THIS WEEK (BILLY GOAT AND
RIDGERUNNER, TONY AND A GAL) , TRIED TO GO NORTH, SKIPPED TO
STEHEKIN......FLIPPED BACK TO WENATCHEE AND RENTED A CAR TO PORTLAND AND
CASCADE LOCKS. 2 ARE HERE TODAY AND ARE HEADING SOUTH TOMORROW. I'LL LET YOU
KNOW WHAT THEY SAY WHEN THEY GET TO SNOQUALMIE PASS.

PCT MOM