[pct-l] Forester has been crossed!

[Peter Necarsulmer]

Awesome post with, as always from Ned, practical and inspirational safety advice.  Thank you Ralph and Ned!

Escargot

Peter Necarsulmer
necarsulmer at mac.com


> On Apr 21, 2016, at 11:17 AM, Ned Tibbits <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:
> 
> The steps across Forester's infamous chute have been cut in as of yesterday!
> 
> Mountain Education's student Ralph Burgess finished today his second snow-hike of this route from Horseshoe Meadows, over Forester, and out Kearsarge Pass and we are happy to give you his impressions of the trail and snow conditions (his pictures to follow):
> 
> 9,500-11,000 feet: 
> 
> Snowline begins at about 9,500 feet as scattered patches of snow on southern aspects and solid fields on northern. Creeks are open, but not a lot of volume due to pre-thaw temperatures, despite strong sun during the day.
> 
> Chicken Spring Lake (11,200) is still frozen solid, but with a little digging water can be accessed easily. Nighttime temperatures are in the low 20s and water and boots freeze overnight.
> 
> The snow quality is poor, meaning it is warm and soft enough to allow postholing very early in the day. Ralph was getting up at 0400 and breaking camp at 0600 to utilize the overnight-frozen snow for easy, supported walking, but it didn't last long. By 10:00 he was starting to sink in and after 11:00 postholing became ridiculous. 
> 
> Northern aspects of creek canyons, like the steep descent into Whitney Creek to Crabtree Meadows, were holding powder snow due to wind transport, so prepare for heel-plunging down this drop in deeper snow. Do these areas in the early morning so you don't posthole! The powder snow on these northern aspects will consolidate to the existing pack in the next week or so. 
> 
> Creek crossings along this route were easy and with a little searching for logs and rock-hops were able to become dry crossings.
> 
> 11,000-13,200 feet:
> 
> The snowpack was consistently solid from the Tyndall crossing up to Forester, but held more powder than expected and postholing was a problem by mid-morning. Tyndall was crossed via an intact and strong snow bridge at treeline.
> 
> Ralph got to the base of Forester at 11:00 and considered the eastern, alternate route (instead of going over the summer route), but with time on his hands and a desire to see the condition of the chute, above, he continued on. He made his own switchbacks up the base of the pass to the partially exposed switchbacks about half-way up and followed those, though half-filled with snow and ice, to the chute, itself. 
> 
> Taking about 2 hours, he chopped a flat trail across the 80-foot wide, steep snow-chute to make the crossing safer for PCT and JMT snow hikers to follow. Although the cornice, above, is still overhanging the chute, it is not melting, dripping, or threatening to drop onto hikers below. The east-facing switchbacks up to the pass from the chute are open and dry, but near the top where the cornice starts there is still a vertical wall of snow barring the way.
> 
> The edge of this cornice wall can be climbed around on a dry route by going straight up the exposed rocks above these last switchback, then turning right and walking out onto the snow onto the pass. The Forester Pass sign is completely buried to its top, but with a little digging, Ralph was able to see all of its writing.
> 
> The northern aspect descent off Forester was difficult because of powder snow, so this slope is not ready for glorious glissades just yet! The entire route down to Vidette Meadow was through soft, postholey snow and that is typical for such good and sunny weather, but very hard to struggle through!
> 
> Bullfrog Lake is open at its inflow and outflow, otherwise still frozen solid. The route up to Kearsarge Pass was on solid snow fields above 11,000 feet with the last few switchbacks being open and dry. The eastern aspect descent from Kearsarge to the Onion Valley TH was on solid snow and sometimes quite steep.
> 
> Ralph followed the summer route by knowing where it was, but had the freedom to choose his own, safer or more direct routes across this high, undulating region due to his steep snow skills training from a Mountain Education Snow Advanced Course he attended in 2014. 
> 
> Crampons were not needed because the snow was so soft, while a self-arrest device always is when on steep snow. Dress for the cold, take an insulated pad to sleep on, even though below 11,000 feet some dry ground can be found to sleep on, a 15-degree bag, good sunglasses, sunscreen, and waterproof footwear. 
> 
> More to come!
> 
> 
> 
> 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."
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