[pct-l] Snowshoeing

[Byron Nevins]

Ned Tibbits recommended that I post my experience snowshoeing.
Here goes.

I've been backpacking for 40 years and have always simply avoided snow and
ice when possible.  Now that I want to hike the PCT in 2014 I realize that
I'd better learn how to handle, say, Forrester Pass in May.

Coincidentally I received a brand-new (free) pair of Atlas snowshoes from a
neighbor that had the bank foreclose on their house.

So I went snowshoeing for the first time in my life, on the PCT at Carson
Pass.  It was fantastic.  Amazing.  I know the area like the back of my
hand but I always waited and waited and waited until the snow melted in
order to hike the area. Snowshoes makes the area hike-able virtually year
round.  Why oh why didn't I figure this out 30 years ago?
Now I need to get back out there (post Super Bowl of course) and start
early in the morning and try out my new crampons!