[pct-l] Hiking N from castle crags starting this weekend: Are we crazy?

[Colin Wilson]

My buddy and I are planning on section-hiking a ~700mi chunk of the PCT
this summer, starting in Castle Crags this weekend and heading North all
the way through Oregon. We've been planning for weeks, and just when I
thought we had things mostly under control, I read Tomas Tortuga's report
on deep snow just south of Ashland... I suddenly thought "Crap. Are we
crazy? Are we starting too soon?" So before we ship off, I have to ask:

1) Does anyone have first-hand info on snow conditions for the PCT in this
area? (Approximate night-time and daytime temperatures would also be
helpful.)
2) Are backpackers even hiking this section yet, and if so, should we be
packing snowshoes and planning for snow-camping?
3) Are we loco? Crazy? Two weeks too early?

Thanks in advance for your input!

- Colin