[pct-l] Snow Advice on OR and Washington PCT 2015

[Ned Tibbits]

Hi, Peter!

I cruised through Oregon on the PCT in July and Washington in August of 1974 
after a pretty heavy winter, so I was on snow more often than off it all the 
way to Rainy Pass where I met the first people I'd seen the whole trip, a 
trail crew! In Oregon, I was on 2 or 3 feet the whole way, more or less, and 
in Washington, I only had a couple feet of snow on the high points.

Nevertheless, the amount of snow you'll see come mid-June will entirely 
depend on the total the PNW gets this winter minus the timing and severity 
of the spring thaw. Realize that you will be walking on, not through, 
consolidated, compacted, settled snow that is hard enough to easily walk on 
top of every morning (as long as the night before was to or below freezing). 
As each days warms up, the snow will soften and you'll start sinking in or 
"postholing," maybe deep enough to dirt (or whatever obstacle may be under 
the surface).

Oregon is typically low and mellow in topography, except on the peaks and 
ridges, so you may see more of the trail than not in June, but I would 
prepare yourself for snow-hiking. Although there is little that is steep 
enough to warrant slip-and-fall concerns, Oregon does have a few mountainous 
areas where you've got brief ups and downs where you'll need to learn the 
snow skills we teach in the Mountain Education Snow Basics Course to keep 
yourself from falling in, through, or down. Realize that snow-hiking is much 
slower and consumes lots more energy than dry-trail hiking, so plan for 1 
mph and eat twice as much food (maybe not at first). Realize, also, that 
where you don't have snow, you may have lots of mud, so prepare for it with 
the right footwear and sleeping plans.

The Washington locals will tell you that the trails don't "open up" to 
hiking until after July 4th, so by the time you get there, say August 1st, 
the trail should be "just fine" and you'll be strong enough to walk full 
days and be pulling 20-24 milers. Remember, start out in Oregon really slow 
and pay attention to your body's complaints. If you dial back the mileage 
desire until the body gets strong, you'll be able to stay on-trail and go 
the distance.

So, for your needs, early season Oregon, the Snow Basics Course (SBC) will 
teach you/prepare you for:

1.  How to walk on snow (Snow Hiking),
2.  How to keep your balance on snow and not fall,
3.  How to Self-Arrest an out-of-control slide and come to a stop before 
hitting a tree,
4.  How to Identify surface and sub-surface hazards in the snow and avoid 
them,
5.  Over-Snow and In-Trees Navigation (Map & Compass and GPS),
6.  Getting water without falling into the creek,
7.  Snow Camping,
8.  Ascent, Traverse, & Descent Techniques,
9.  Sanitation and LNT in the snow-bound environment,
10. Creek Crossing Safety Principles & Techniques,
11. Avalanche Recognition & Avoidance,
12. Weather Changes, Hiking in constant rain, and remaining warm & dry, and
13. Wilderness Emergency Medical Care & Communications.

Which Mountain Education SBC date and location are you interested in 
attending?


Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education, Inc.
www.mountaineducation.org
ned at mountaineducation.org


Mission:
"To minimize wilderness accidents, injury, and illness in order to maximize 
wilderness enjoyment, safety, and personal growth, all through experiential 
education and risk awareness training."
-----Original Message----- 
From: Peter Necarsulmer
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 11:04 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Snow Advice on OR and Washington PCT 2015

Season’s Greetings.  I am definitely doing CA/OR border to as far north as 
possible in Washington t(hopefully to Canada) this summer (2015) and need 
advice, please.  My intended start date is 15 June (unless you think it’s 
too early to avoid tons of snow and ice and slush) and can continue until 31 
August.   I plan to average about 12 miles per day depending on how I feel 
physically and trail conditions, and to take an average of 1.5 zeroes per 
week on average.  Quick math:  June 15-August 31 is 77 days or 11 weeks; 
less 17 zeroes means 60 hiking days at an average of 12 miles per day = 
total mileage of 720.  I am good at navigating with map, compass and GPS, am 
no expert but will definitely take Ned Tibbets' snow course in March, 
practice ultralight (not super ultralight) techniques, and am 59 years old.

I am most concerned about snow levels and impact on travel, as well as the 
degree of snow skills required. Is it safe to start in mid-June?  Thank you 
big time in advance for sharing your advice, knowledge and experience. 
Peter  (My self-given trail name is Escargot).

Peter B. Necarsulmer
+ 1-202-403-4211 U.S. mobile
necarsulmer at mac.com








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