[pct-l] Stevens pass conditions and stehekin

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Another thing hikers need to be aware of is that transitional phase between 
solid snow and patches over the trail here and there. Consider the danger of 
the steep traverse, you're not on the ridge and not going straight up the 
valley. When it is completely covered, you're always tuned in and focused on 
your balance. You're probably wearing your KTS crampons, too, for grip and a 
predictable foothold.

Once you've dealt with this hazard, it is fantastic to have dry, flat trail 
to stand on while cruising these bowls. Now your muscles can relax and you 
can get a little speed going since you can "push" with your toes rather than 
be "placing" or kicking each step. No need for crampons here.

Now, the problem comes when you hit that inevitable band of snow covering 
the trail in a steep traverse and you need and want to cross it, but you 
don't want to take the time to put back on your KTSs. So, you figure that 
you'll just kick deeper steps across it and risk the slip-and-fall. Maybe 
you don't even have your crampons or ice axe anymore since you sent them 
home in Bridgeport. (This is what we were dealing with in the vicinity of 
Twin Peaks near Alpine Meadows ski area--nasty benign-looking bowl traverses 
in trees).

Patches can be more dangerous than solid snow.



"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric Lee" <saintgimp at hotmail.com>
To: <will.hiltz at gmail.com>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 12:23 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Stevens pass conditions and stehekin


> Easy wrote:
>>
> I am interested in the current conditions at stevens pass and northward to
> rainy pass, I have been contemplating attempting this section in about a
> week... Andrea or anyone else who has been out there recently have any 
> idea
> on snow conditions? Obviously there will be some but I am wondering how
> close to totally impassable we are talking here.
>>
>
> "Impassable" is a tricky word when talking about this stuff.  It's
> technically passable because Luke just did it (did you see his report that
> Andrea forwarded yesterday?).  But it sounds from Luke's description that
> it's also filled with wonderful opportunities to kill yourself and is very
> exhausting.  In a week it'll be better, of course, but hard to say how 
> much
> better.  Certainly not completely free of snow.  It just depends on what
> you're comfortable with, I guess.
>
> Eric
>
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