[pct-l] Advice to a beginner about crossing Sierras

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Up to now, Mountain Education has not required any payment for instruction 
given. We have asked for a donation if our students felt they received 
something of value. That would be for the last 500 students or so.

We are becoming a legal, Public-Benefit, non-profit organization, now, so we 
will have to change our ways of doing some things like off-setting costs for 
expenses incurred. What people don't realize is that we provide wilderness 
skills training out of the passion of our hearts. We have no other income, 
retirement, pension, savings, assets, or any other way to off-set the costs 
to us to encourage backcountry hikers to be realistic about their endeavors 
(especially in their planning), get prepared for what they'll be walking 
into, and maybe learn some skills that will keep them safe.

Regarding departing "early" into the Sierra: Back in 1974, I entered the 
Sierra April 14th because that is how my schedule worked out. Few people had 
done the trail back then and published their thoughts about their choices, 
so those of us who did it then didn't have anything to compare our plans to. 
I learned how to walk on snow and deal with it beauty and hardships and 
considered it normal. Now, I instruct from that experience so that all of 
you can make your own decisions as to how to prepare, plan for, and happily 
enjoy your personal hike-of-a-lifetime. It is not impossible to enter the 
Sierra in April, May, or June, just be aware of what's there and have the 
skills and experience to evaluate the conditions and make the right choices 
once you're there. In so doing, hikers can add more trail time into their 
schedules so they can hike slower, if they so choose.

Beginners are never encouraged to take on risks they know nothing of nor for 
which they are ill-prepared.



"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: <gwschenk at socal.rr.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>; "Wes Rose" <wb104475 at sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2011 9:27 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Advice to a beginner about crossing Sierras


> ---- Wes Rose <wb104475 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>  ...while the other side of the debate is promoting a product or service 
>> with a
>> clear commercial interest in the outcome.  Ned, by all accounts, is a 
>> great guy who
>> offers a well received product, but I feel that there are some ethical 
>> concerns involved
>> in his promotion of early departures.
>
> It's my understanding that Ed's services are free of charge, no?
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