[pct-l] SOBO

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good afternoon,

I can't give you a SoBo start date because I don't know you and because a
SoBo hiker faces a few significantly different challenges compared to the
more-traditional NoBo hiker.

It may be lonesome out there.  Regardless of the starting date there will be
many fewer other SoBo hikers.  That reduces the overall, on-trail knowledge
pool, and lessens the likelihood of finding a kindred sprite with whom to
hike and share route-finding chores.

Don’t assume everyone is on the PCT.  There is a lower probability of
finding of other SoBo’s tracks to follow in times of confusion.  In fact,
early in the season assume that most of the tracks will probably from one of
us local, nut-case, short-trip hikers who are passing by on their way to
somewhere you don’t want to go.

Early-on NoBo there is a lot of gentle, modestly-populated, low-risk terrain
to allow one to learn and adapt to trail life.  SoBo after crossing the
border one dives into the remote Pasayten Wilderness.

SoBo one needs good route-finding skills immediately.  A map, compass, and
the skill/experience to use them are necessary rather than being merely
advisable.  Additionally, I would use a GPS receiver under those
circumstances, but I don’t know you and I can’t guess if such would help
you.  For a GPS to be useful one must have an array of maps and waypoints,
such as those so graciously provided by HalfMile, as well as being able to
actually use the GPS features -- on the trail, alone, when it really
matters.  Practical experience with the GPS is really necessary when the
results are important.  Using the device may seem simple and intuitive when
nothing is at stake, in the store or while reading the instruction book in
one’s easy chair, but on the trail the thing can only be trusted based upon
lots of previous usage.

The amount of snow encountered SoBo will be unpredictable.   I like to refer
to the snow cover maps shown at
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/westsnow.pl however those images are
based upon averages for the area and season.  If you don’t have a feel for
what ”average” mountain snowpack is, and what it means to a hiker, a report
of 75% vs. 125% is not very useful.  For example, take a look at the May
report for 1999.  I hiked in the Pacific NW that year and found lots of
snowpack on the PCT in mid-June so I waited till mid-July at which date
there was still lots of snow.   In contrast, look at the May report for
2001.  That was a very slow snow year, but in June much of the trail was
still covered to some extent.  In practice, if one can’t see the trail it
doesn’t really matter if the pack is 12 inches deep or 12 feet, the question
is can you handle it.

Only you know what your appetite is for hiking and route-finding over
extensive snowpack that will likely be a fact of trail life for the first
200-300 SoBo miles.  If one waits for Washington to be reliably clear of
snowpack it may be necessary to start late-July, and then in question will
be what new-season snow will be encountered three months later in the
Sierras.

Enjoy,

Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

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

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 5:03 PM, <mctanker at earthlink.net> wrote:

> May have to change and do this SOBO. So, on average, what is a good target
> date to start? I know snow plays big, but am looking for "usually good by"
> date to start. Thx in advance!
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