[pct-l] SOBO Questions

[James Kouba]

Ned, are any of these courses available on line?

Jim Kouba
175 First Street South, Unit 1403
Saint Petersburg, FL. 33701
561.236.2886

On Feb 17, 2013, at 10:29 PM, Ned Tibbits <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

> Just a reiteration to Pockets and Splash and anyone else interested in what 
> we teach thru hikers preparing for the long trails.
> 
> Mountain Education will be offering one of our Snow Basics Courses in Oregon 
> next month (March 8,9,10). We will not make it up to Washington to offer one 
> there. The rest of our Basic courses are taught in the Lake Tahoe area.
> 
> We provide these skills courses to build confidence and personal security so 
> that worry fades, your future trips will be more fun, and you can stay safe 
> longer in the backcountry.
> 
> These courses are designed to teach you how to:
> - Use , hold, carry and Self-Arrest with an ice axe,
> - Navigation over snow, above & below timberline,
> - Walk on snow without falling,
> - Obtain water without getting wet ( or falling in lakes and creeks),
> - Consider the safety of cooking inside your tent when the weather is 
> storming for days,
> - Evaluate Avalanche potential around you,
> - Not get hurt while walking on snow slopes,
> - Evaluate snow bridge stability for safe crossing of creeks,
> - Conduct an Emergency Rescue (post-avalanche and other debilitating 
> mountain injuries,
> - Choose safe routes over snow (including ascents and descents from passes),
> - and more....
> 
> We just want you to know for yourselves what is really out there and how to 
> deal with it!
> 
> 
> 
> Ned Tibbits, Director
> Mountain Education
> www.mountaineducation.org
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Sevenon7th at yahoo.com
> Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 5:40 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
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