[pct-l] Latest snow report N. Cascades

[Ed Jarrett]

I am currently planning on heading south from Rainy Pass on Monday, heading toward Snoqualmie.  If all goes well I will drop by the following Sunday or Monday and let you know how progress was in the first half.  Interested in hearing any other reports from folks who have already made it through.  Still debating about the ice axe and interested in any navigational issues.

Ed Jarrett

> From: andrea at dinsmoreshikerhaven.com
> Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:39:47 -0700
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] Latest snow report N. Cascades
> 
> 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
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