[pct-l] thoughts on snowshoes?

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good afternoon, Patty,

The best I can offer relative to snowpack travel and snowshoes can be seen
at:

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=264464

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=264576

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=264768



I’d say if snowshoes make you more confident, take them, but it would be
worthwhile to consider that thousands of hikers have made the trip with
probably less than 1% carrying snowshoes.  I don’t recall ever seeing a pair
among thru-hikers -- they are a bit difficult to hide --but there probably
have been some.



Enjoy your planning,



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Sun, Feb 20, 2011 at 6:25 PM, Patty Tyrcha <moonsap41 at hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> greetings!
> i have had a question for a while now and even though i'm feeling sheepish
> for asking (i'm not only new to backpacking - i've done all of 10 days in
> the pasayten wilderness once, but i also am planning on hammocking-- but
> that's a whole other issue! C:  )  i'm a gonna ask it anyways!    ...  isn't
> this year pretty snowy?  i loved a recent poster who shared "impassible is a
> state of mind."  Here is my confusion:  even though snowshoes are more
> weight (mine are 3 lbs 8 oz for the pair) would they not make miles easier
> if the conditions are as heavy as some are predicting?  no one can tell the
> future, especially the weatherman, right?  C:  but if it takes tons more
> energy to get through deeper snow, and much longer, too, would the weight
> trade off be worth the time and ease with use?   i keep thinking it's
> reasonable to keep the option open, to have the snowshoes boxed and ready to
> be addressed, so they can be sent if and when i feel they'd be helpful....
> is this overkill?
> i've read just a little about understanding snow conditions for the best
> travel times, type of snow, and exposure; i know a little bit about
> avalanche safety; the only real snow experience i have is Mt Baker
> snowshoeing, a few overnight snow camping trips, and the pasayten trip (with
> snowshoes)  ...  we definitely won't be 'leading the way,' so perhaps the
> trail will already be blazed by the time we make it up?  so then snowshoes
> wouldn't be all that helpful or necessary?
> i don't know what my base weight is yet...  i feel like i'm one of the ones
> experienced folks could point to at KO and whisper "that one may not make
> it."  or that may simply be my own fears trying to manifest!   i intend to
> do my best and learn as much from others as i can until it's time to hike my
> own hike...  and enjoy the trip for the moments i live, not for the big
> picture goal of a single season thru hike...  but i do very much want to
> finish this season (dammit!) ...  thus here i am.  asking my silly
> questions.  C:
> thank you in advance for any and all advice you might have on snowshoes....
>  (i'm on a different forum for hammocking advice  C;  but if you are
> hammocking too, i'd love to hear from you!)   i have other newbie questions,
> but this is good for a start.
>
> be well!!patty
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