[pct-l] Start thru in March. -- Fuller Ridge

[Rob Langsdorf]

Brick,
 
    The picture you have on Fuller Ridge gives some indication of the steepness of the slope. Some years there can be some early melting followed by another snow. The early melting can result in an ice layer that is then hidden under the snow. 
 
    One year 4 people I knew, in four separate incidents hit such conditions on Mt. Baldy. 2 were killed by hitting trees and bushes. One broke a lot of bones, but survived because there was an emergency first aide class being conducted near the bottom of his fall. He took a long time to heal and is still not up to what he was before his fall. The fourth person was luck and had his fall broken by a lot of small bushes that stopped him before he came to anything major. I hiked with him the next day. He had a lot of scratches, but was in great shape.
 
    Since the Fuller Ridge Trail is on the north side of the ridge, it doesn't get quite the same sun impact as the Mt. Baldy area. But it could still have problems of getting turned into ice and then covered with snow. I think that is why people think it is a problem.
 
             Mataguay Connector Rob


________________________________
From: Brick Robbins <brick at brickrobbins.com>
To: PCT <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2013 11:51 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Start thru in March.


On Mon, Nov 25, 2013 at 8:35 AM, Joe Roth <jroth2353 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Seaglass and I would like to start north from Mexico in March. Are there
> any sites showing historical climate data for the first 700 miles or so?
> Temperature and snow are our concerns.

You will have snow on San Jacinto, in Big Bear and over Baden Powell
near Wrightwood. Probably no any in the Piutes, but you will again in
the Sierra.

With an ice axe and basic snow skills (take Neds class) the only iffy
places are between Apache Peak and Taquitz (San Jacinto) where the
trail is blasted out of the rock, High Sierra Style, but that section
has eastern exposure and usually melts out early.

People freak about Fuller Ridge, but I don't really understand why.
Navigation is easy and the terrain is not that horrific. Here is a pic
early season on Fuller Ridge.
http://www.fastpack.com/brick/joe_fuller_ridge.jpg

In the spring all the way through May, you should be prepared for
occasional late season storm with high winds, freezing temps and
blowing snow and rain, as far south as Mt Laguna. Pay attention to the
forecast, and bail to lower terrain if one is coming.

YMMV, HYOH
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