[pct-l] SOBO Questions

[Steve Rolfe]

Snowfall in the Washington Cascades is a bit above normal this year.  June
can still be winter in the high Cascades when a cold storm hits.  Summer
doesn't really start in the Northwest until about July 10th. There would
likely be snow on much of the trail in many areas requiring considerable
snow skills and a gps as Splash suggested.  I would think one should have
good snow travel skills and good navigation skills (plus very good maps)
since much of the trail will be invisibly covered with snow.  It would
depend on the weather in May and early June, but either the snow could be
fairly consolidated in many areas by then making it not too difficult to
walk on or the snow could still be pretty soft and there could be the
potential of avalanches on steep slopes.  Depending on the orientation to
the sun there could be both conditions.

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: Sevenon7th at yahoo.com [mailto:sevenon7th at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 5:41 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] SOBO Questions



Hi Pockets...

I may be able to offer some insight.  In 2005, I hiked southbound on the
PCT.   It was an incredibly low snow year in Washington State (not sure that
the same applies this year... and it is early yet, we could still see
significant snowfall before the end of the official "mountain winter" season
here)  That being said, I left Canada on June 15.    On a normal snow year,
that start date, would likely require snowshoes and gps navigation.

In southern California, many of the water caches were maintained and/or had
some remaining water from the Northbound hoards. Some were empty.   So, from
my perspective, if one is traveling southbound, treat the water caches like
an unexpected gift.  Don't count on them.     Most trail angels were still
hosting hikers when I went through (Saufley's and Andersons); although there
were some others that were more geared toward the northbound hikers and not
available in late fall.

It sounds like Mt. Ned has offered for the ice axe / orienteering
training... that seems like a good option.  I used to teach mountaineering,
and depending on where you are located, could be coerced into doing a one
day training session if that does not work out for you.

Anyhoo.... hope this helps.  Happy Trails!
Splash

________________________________
 
From: T.Rem
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2013 9:04 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] SOBO Questions

Hi all! After completing my 2012 NOBO thru-hike I stayed in Washington, got
a job, and started day-dreaming about the next big walk. Since I'm already
so close to Canada I've been entertaining the notion of trying a PCT SOBO
attempt this summer.  I'm aware that SOBO can be more challenging and I had
a few questions I was hoping some of the good folks on pct-l might be able
to help me with.

I read that mid-June is usually the average start date- depending on the
snow of course- any thoughts?  Unless there are some more big storms on the
way (you never know) it's been a fairly mild Winter in Washington- this
could end up being a good year for a early SOBO start.

The water caches in So-Cal- can  I expect them to still be maintained?  If
so, for how long?

Do trail angels usually still take in SOBO hikers or will they totally be
burned-out from the NOBOs by the time I come along?  Not that I'd blame
them!

Is there anyone out there that lives in Washington and who might be willing
to give a guy some mountaineering and/or orienteering lessons?   I learned a
lot from my NOBO but last year was a cake-walk as far as snow goes.  I
started April 6th so I probably ran into more then the rest of the herd
(especially in Oregon) but I'm not sure if I'm feeling cocky enough to solo
my way through some of these Washington passes without some more experience.

Thanks!
Pockets
pct-footfalls.blogspot.com