[pct-l] bailing out

[Neil Lacey]

Greetings,

I'm trying to think/brainstorm about options for this year.

I've committed to an April 8 start date, of course I'd love to finish 
but I've seen some insane snowmelt in my time, makes me hesitate.

Plus I'm 64, in great shape for 64, but pushing straight through seems 
pretty risky.

I just retired so I don't have many constraints, here are a  few 
thoughts, I know a lot can happen between now & June.

1) Hike North to Tehachapi, take a break somewhere til the melt is 
mostly over & then head into the Sierra

2) Take a longer break after the desert & head southbound from the 
northern border

3) Flip North then head South depending on snow.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Neil

> 7.  What are all the thru hikers doing with this incredible snow pack,
> especially those with permits to start in March (Mt. Laguna, San Jacinto,
> etc.)?

On 3/29/2019 11:41 AM, Gary Schenk wrote:
> Good morning, Sunshine.
>
> On Mon, March 25, 2019 9:46 am, Susan Virnig wrote:
>> 1.  Best way to get to Tehachapi — which airport or which Amtrak station
>> or which bus, since I’m coming from Spokane, WA?
> There's a bus that will drop you of at the PCT. Google Kern County transit.
>> 2.  How can I find out current snow levels in Section E?  I don’t mind
>> some snow, but don’t want a lot of postholing or the need for crampons and
>> an ice axe, tho I do have micro spikes.   In Section D, Highway 2 is under
>> snow, which means the PCT is under snow.  Does anyone know when it might
>> be open?  (Tried Angeles NF and CalTrans, but couldn’t even get a guess.)
>>
> I wouldn't worry about snow in section E. Hwy 2 will probably open in May,
> maybe late April It's getting warm now.
>
>
>> 4. The High Desert Trail Alternate seems to be a lower alternative to
>> being up on the slopes of Mt. Baden-Powell, from S. Fork Campground to
>> Vincent Gap, but I can’t find going southbound where to leave the PCT to
>> get down to S. Fork or how to get back up to Vincent Gap.  Anybody know?
>>
> There's a trail from Islip Saddle that goes down to South Fork. It'll be
> snowy right now, and it's north facing. As of now, you'll be on snow long
> before you get to Islip.
>
>> 5. Do I need to worry about bugs, with all this melting snow?
>>
> No.
>
>> 6.  Right now temperatures in Tehachapi and Agua Dulce are ranging from
>> the 30s to the 60s.  In April it will warm up, but will a sun umbrella be
>> worth carrying?
>>
> Depends on you. Not for me.
>
>> 7.  What are all the thru hikers doing with this incredible snow pack,
>> especially those with permits to start in March (Mt. Laguna, San Jacinto,
>> etc.)?
> Probably bailing out.
>
> Gary
>
>
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