[pct-l] Campsites and Snow Pack

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Ok, Brandon opened this up and the subject is right up our alley...

I will only address the query about campsites and snow pack with regard to 
thru hiking the PCT in the Sierra, which was one of the reasons why we went 
up there last May and June to document where the snow was, how bad the 
creeks really were, what you needed to do to get over the Passes safely when 
buried in snow, and how to camp in those conditions.

Yes, the Snow Guide to the PCT is still a work in progress...

Anyway, as Jeff just said, look for sources of water on your topo and you'll 
likely find level enough ground to pitch. However, there is a less stressful 
way to assure you of a good night's sleep with ample water and a level 
campsite anywhere in the snow, even if you are on a peak or hillside.

Through the Sierra on a heavy-winter year you may find the snow level to be 
in the vicinity of 10,000 feet. Most thrus choose to camp just below 
snowline at the nearest creek or lake, make the climb over the next Pass in 
the morning while the snow is still firm for boot walking, and jet down the 
backside fast enough over snow to reach dirt before post-holing begins after 
about 1 or 2 in the afternoon (maybe sooner depending on the weather and 
ambient temps.).

The "however" above comes in when you find yourself still slogging your 
exhausting way through the snow at the end of the day. Where do you camp? 
When all is snow all around you, there usually is at least a large granite 
field somewhere nearby on which to crash for the night (albeit a really hard 
night's sleep!) Ah, but there is still better! If you happen to be carrying 
a down air mattress like the Exped models (very light, warm, and durable), 
you can camp anywhere on the snow where you can smash down a level spot for 
your shelter. Simple! With this ability in your plans, you won't have to 
keep on pushing through the post-holing snow while exhausted and already low 
on food to reach camp. It is also a very likely that flowing water from 
melting snow will be all around you, as well, so you won't have to go far 
from your snow campsite to get water!

So, as far as campsites and snow pack go in the early Sierra, it easy, 
really, just learn how and plan for it!


"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brandon McGinnity" <bmcginnity at gmail.com>
To: "Jeffrey Olson" <jolson at olc.edu>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 4:16 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Campsites and Snow Pack


> Thanks. I kinda figured the same thing, but he made the San Felipe's sound
> so bad that I got worried for a second.
>
> On Fri, Jan 21, 2011 at 6:14 PM, Jeffrey Olson <jolson at olc.edu> wrote:
>
>> Imagine you've hiked 18 miles on your 18th day of hiking.  You're an
>> hour from dark and you're ready to stop.  You look down at your plan and
>> see you're supposed to be camping at X spring on day 21.  You laugh.
>> You begin looking for a flat spot to throw down your tent, hopefully not
>> in the middle of the trail.
>>
>> I've done a bunch of four to eight week section hikes and I've learned
>> not even to think about planning where I"m going to camp beyond the
>> first or second day.  Water - yes, camping not so much.
>>
>> Jeffrey Olson
>> Martin, SD - where the prairie is snow covered and even the coyotes
>> hunker down...
>>
>> On 1/21/2011 5:03 PM, Brandon McGinnity wrote:
>> > Anyways, I wondered if theres a resource other than the Halfmile maps
>> that
>> > list campsites, or at least if this is really an issue.
>> >
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>
>
> -- 
> ~ Moccasin
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