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

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

As Scott says, "Once again, it is a-ok to wait for the snow to melt. Do your 
thing,
whatever works for YOU!" is absolutely true. Of course, this assumes that 
the hiker knows what Does "work" for them....

If you don't know how to safely travel for hundreds of miles over snow at 
slope angles of up to 45-degrees, then by all means don't put yourself in 
that position. Wait for dry trail. Be aware, however, that in so doing you 
may be waiting and losing so much time that it will become highly unlikely 
that you will reach Canada before the powder snow starts flying again and 
blocking your passage. Not everyone can nor wants to assume the speed of 
hiking needed to make that goal under time restraints like that. But as 
Postholer said, HYOH. If that is the kind of experience you want while 
you're in the mountains, then go 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: "PCT List" <pctlist at gmail.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2011 7:42 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Advice to a beginner about crossing Sierras


> Yes, *relatively* easy. There is reason you started a 9 day trip north
> from Kennedy Meadows and not south from Echo Lake in this monster snow
> year. Less and easier to navigate snow. The experience level and
> intensity is night and day.
>
> Ned advocates traversing over snow for thru hikers as well as early
> start dates, instead of waiting for the trail to clear. But the hiking
> community is much larger than that single narrow view. WE all have our
> own styles and preferences, it's not one size fits all.
>
> Once again, it is a-ok to wait for the snow to melt. Do your thing,
> whatever works for YOU!
>
> -postholer
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