[pct-l] start time

[Brick Robbins]

On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 2:25 PM, Jackie McDonnell <yogihikes at gmail.com> wrote:
> WAY too early.  SoCal is not all desert.  You'll be in the Laguna Mountains
> by mile 40.

The Laguna Mountains should not be a problem that early, except for
maybe a late storm, which you can avoid with weather reporting, or a
quick bail off the trail into the Lodge in Mt Laguna.

However, the trail up to San Jacinto will maybe still be snow covered
(a big problem), and Fuller Ridge most certainly will be (a smaller
problem.) Make sure you have an ice axe and GPS for this section. A
thru  hiker died on San Jac after getting lost in the snow up there.

If this section of snow travel poses any problems for you, then you
will be totally screwed when you hit the Sierra.

You will get to Kennedy Meadows (south) well before "Ray Day" so plan
on endless snow travel in the Sierra.

With mad skilz at winter snow travel, care with weather, and the right
gear, March 1 may be doable, but OTOH, this is shaping up to be a
heavy snow year.

There IS a reason most folks start 6 weeks later