[pct-l] Bad news for SOBO's

[enyapjr at comcast.net]

> What does this 70-89% through the Sierras mean for us NOBO hikers?


What it 'might' mean is that it could be a below average or average snow year, but many times this 
early in the year it is simply "too early" to tell for certain...
There might be heavy and/or late snow storms and spring temperatures are also a major factor
regarding snow melt rate...

Be patient & follow some key websites (note that ~April 1st is the average maximum Sierra snow level):
<http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/swcchart.action> (can also compare to past years) -
see <http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/swccond.pdf> for a geographical representation of 
"North", Central", & "South" on the above chart;
<http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/westsnow.pl> (click on latest month available; compare to previous
years, also, but you can only view one chart at a time, however); and
<http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/90day/> (NOAA long range forecasts)...
Note that the NOAA long range forecasts do NOT show below normal temps or above average precip
for CA on the 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, & 3.5 month maps (but below normal temps for WA on the first three) - IF that 
holds true, it may well be a below average snow year in the Sierra for 2013 nobo thrus...  "Maybe"...   ;-)

BTW, FWIW, Jeff Olson's post "SOBO's Dream" was just that - 2005 was indeed an unusual year ideally 
suited for a sobo PCT thru, while the CA Sierra had over 180% of normal snowpack to hinder the nobos...
One rarely sees a scenario such as 2005 in WA so ideal for a sobo thru...

Happy trails!!!
Jim (PITA)