[pct-l] Northbounders?

[Weathercarrot -]

Brick writes:

<< considering the recent storm in the PNW, any word on the folks still on the trail?>>

I've been hearing that there are many still out there, especially north of Snoqualmie and Stevens passes.  I'm feeling more concerned now for their safety than I think I ever have been before.  My impression is that a large percentage are under-prepared, and caught by surprise by the unusual intensity and longevity of the current storm pattern.

I talked to a thru-hiker friend earlier today who made the decision a few days ago to turn back 5 miles north of Stevens Pass because her gut was insistent that it was a bad idea to proceed north given the forecast and the altitude/remoteness of the section.   She was also concerned about the group she was with being unprepared for what they were hiking into.  Hypothermic and low visibility/white-out conditions have not been particularly prevalent on the trail this year, as in most years prior to Washington in September, and I would say that even those experienced with the often wet and cold AT are getting caught off-guard this weekend and into the next few days (1-2 feet of snow between tonight and Tuesday morning above 5-6k).   One of my primary concerns is the lack of bail-out route info in most of the PCT maps/guides, especially in some of the more remote sections, like Glacier Peak Wilderness.  I would perhaps suggest to Half Mile that adding some detail about that in future revisions of his maps might be a good idea.  Not necessarily to expand the coverage of the maps, but maybe a text blurb thrown in at the relevant junctions with basic directions off the mountain to the nearest trailhead.  

I hope all goes well for everyone out there right now, but I wouldn't be surprised if we start hearing about some pretty intense stories over the next several days and weeks.

wc