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

[gschenk1 at roadrunner.com]

---- alantcarpenter <alantcarpenter at comcast.net> wrote: 
> Re: Early start
> 
> Ned says "Of course, carry crampons..." From what I have been able to learn
> from trail journals and books, very few PCT through hikers have used
> crampons.  Am I missing something?

When you read these journals, you'll find that in many cases they are PCT avoiders rather than PCT hikers. They skip Fuller Ridge, flip flop or even just skip the High Sierra, for example.

There is nothing dangerous, well, not TOO dangerous, about traveling over snow in the high mountains. As long as you have the proper skills and equipment. If you head into the San Jacintos in a heavy snow year early in the season, equipped for good summer weather (in other words going ultra light), yes, you can get into a lot of trouble. The proper equipment is a lot heavier. Most PCTers seem unwilling to carry that weight for some reason, so they wisely avoid heavy snow conditions.

You have to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.

It depends on what you want out of the hike. If you want to travel as much of the true trail as possible, you might have to carry some weight and that could very well mean axe and crampons in certain sections.

It is also worth noting that thruhiker bodies aren't exactly piling up at the base of Forester Pass. It's all about your comfort level. As mountaineers say, the summit is optional, getting down alive is mandatory.

Gary