[pct-l] Oregon in April?

[Susanna Damgaard]

>
> Eric wrote the best response to this.  Gotta think about your quality of
> life for all of those days.  Also, keep in mind that most people move a LOT
> slower in snow--you may not be able to do 25+ mile days through continuous
> snow.
>

I hiked the AT with a grad school deadline and worried about my pace all
the time for 5 months and 1 week.  I hiked the PCT with no deadline in 5
months, 2 weeks.  We strolled through a sunny September in Washington.  I
can't tell you how much nicer that was than rushing.  Just my 2 cents.

THE DARKNESS!
AT 09
LT 11
PCT 12
CDT 15 hopeful

---

>
> That's probably not going to work.  Flipflopping on the PCT can help
> compensate a late start date and allow you to finish later than normal but
> it's not really going to help you finish earlier than normal.
>
> Generally speaking, everything north of the Sierra melts either at the same
> time or later than the Sierra.  Oregon and Washingon are lower in
> elevation,
> yes, but the northern latitude makes up for it.  Oregon will be entirely
> under deep snow in April and Washington doesn't become mostly snow-free
> until mid-July.  Southbounders often start at the Canadian border in
> mid-June but they're usually hiking >80% on snow for the first couple
> hundred miles.  It's dangerous and brutal.
>
> It's possible to finish a PCT thru-hike in mid-August - usually a few
> people
> manage to do it every year - but the strategy is pretty much just
> brute-force.  it's usually only the strongest and fastest hikers of the
> year
> can who do it.  You have to enter the Sierra as early as possible then slog
> through snow off and on for up to 1500 miles, through Oregon, depending on
> how the weather shapes up for the year.  A very low snow year like
> California had this year would make things a lot better, of course.  Many
> people are well into the Sierra right now, for instance, but you can't
> count
> on that every year.
>
> You also have to be comfortable with hiking 30+ mpd on a regular basis,
> particularly through Oregon.  A 25 mile day would count as a relaxing
> break.
> :-)
>
> Another possible strategy is to just start hiking and be ready and willing
> to get off the trail whenever you run out of time.  The rest of the trail
> will still be there for you to pick up later.  Yes, I know that's not as
> cool as a continuous thru-hike but it's a valid approach.  You get an
> awesome summer and still have something to look forward to for your next
> adventure.
>
> Or you can say, "Screw it, I'm thru-hiking the PCT and the rest of my life
> is just going to have to wait!"  Finishing by September 1st is a lot more
> doable than mid-August (though it still means a pretty brisk hike).  Could
> you postpone your obligations for that long?
>
> Eric
>
>
>
>