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

Fri Dec 19 15:02:11 CST 2014

Dear Ned,

Thanks for the extensive, very helpful advice.  You suggest I be ready for the possibility of “lots of mud, so prepare for it with the right footwear and sleeping plans.”   Yuk.  I hate lots of mud.  I hate little bits of mud too.  But I should be prepared and would appreciate your thoughts, please, for solid prep, especially on sleeping plans.   My shelter is my fantastically light and strong Six Moons Design cuben Skyscape X (I don’t leave home without it!).   I haven’t figured out footwear yet for the early portion of the hike, but my preferred in the summer is Innov 8 running/trekking shoes.   (As I recall from meeting you at ADZPCTKO in 2013, you always wear a sturdy pair of over-ankle boots).  I can feel the mud squishing in my toes as I write this…  Peter
Peter B. Necarsulmer
+ 1-202-403-4211 U.S. mobile
+ 7-495-760-3303 Russia mobile
necarsulmer at mac.com

> On Dec 19, 2014, at 12:36 PM, Ned Tibbits <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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