[pct-l] Pct-L Digest, Vol 48, Issue 10

[Edward Anderson]

Of course, it not only depends on the year, but also at what date in June you will reach Forester Pass.  Also, if you start early, as some hikers do, the San Jacintos will have some intense snow crossings. I recall, decades ago, falling through above my head. I was leading a small group and had lost the trail in the snow. There was a hollow place hidden by the snow cover.
 
MendoRider-Hiker
 

________________________________
 From: Scott Williams <baidarker at gmail.com>
To: Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com> 
Cc: alantcarpenter <alantcarpenter at comcast.net>; "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2011 9:09 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Pct-L Digest, Vol 48, Issue 10
 

It all depends on the year, and the snow.  Three years of drought, '07 to '09, it wasn't so critical.  I have talked to many who didn't really need them.  In 2010 we had big snow and in 2011, even bigger.  My Kahtoola 10 points got the award for my favorite piece of gear in 2010. I used them for part or most of nearly everyday for 5 weeks.  Everyone I hiked with or ran across in the High Sierra had either microspikes, instep or heel cramps or the 10 point Kahtoolas.  Some picked them up part way through when off trail to resupply.  I know there are those who don't need them, but for most of us mere mortals, they were a Godsend on the icy slopes.  And don't just have them sent to the Sierra, we needed them in the San Jacintos, early in the trip.  I was using Trax at that point and they were not enough.  They were torn to shreds by Hwy 10, and are the reason I switched to the Kahtoolas and didn't use microspikes which have a similar rubber mesh
 of spikes, although they are more strongly built than the Trax.

Shroomer