[pct-l] Hiking days from Kennedy Meadows to Ebbetts Pass/Hwy 4

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Hey, Doug!

If the snow is deep and the going slow (10mpd), we clock up to a month 
between KM and EP. You can certainly cut that time down quite a bit if there 
is more dry trail to fly on (when below the snowline). As we say, it all 
depends on the conditions present at the time of year when you get there.

And that takes us to your question of when the "pack" may be leaving KM.... 
As much as "we" try to make a collectively wise decision while sitting on 
the porch at the KM General Store, it becomes a personal one. Some plow on 
ahead, maintaining their momentum and taking the Sierra as it comes, while 
others worry and fret, desiring as much dry trail as they can get, thus 
waiting or skipping or taking time off only to return and head north. If the 
winter has been a heavy one up and down the PCT, as this one has been, 
skipping ahead will only bring you more snow and waiting for it all to melt 
enough to fly on dry trail may eat up too much time making your arrival in 
Canada too late, risking being stopped short by early-season powder-snow 
storms.

Our advice: Don't wait. Head on up and enjoy what the Sierra has to offer. 
Walk on the hard snow early in the day. Be careful to maintain your balance 
and footing at all times on snow and during your creek crossings. Be ready 
to self-arrest should you fall on your snowy ascents; glissade down the 
Passes where you can with your axe in hand as a rudder. Make your miles on 
the wet, muddy trail below snowline when you can.

Mountain Education ought to be teaching a Snow Advanced Course group leaving 
KM May 20th. Students, some current PCT thru hikers already on the trail and 
other hikers wanting to apply their snow skills on the "real thing," like 
where it gets steeper on Forester Pass, are beginning to sign up, but we 
need a minimum to make the trip happen. May 20th is soon, so tell all you 
meet what we're offering and maybe more will sign on. 
http://postholer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1313 If you are in the area, 
on-trail, and we're not moving too slow for you, we can give you some tips 
on how to deal with the challenges of snow and creeks while having a whole 
lot of fun!


"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: "Tow, Doug" <DTow at americanriverbank.com>
To: "PCT L" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 9:28 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Hiking days from Kennedy Meadows to Ebbetts Pass/Hwy 4


> Good morning!
>
> Does anyone have an estimated range of the number of hiking days from
> leaving Kennedy Meadows to reaching Ebbetts Pass?  Also, any estimate of
> when the pack might venture north from Kennedy Meadows this year?
>
> Doug
>
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