[pct-l] When to enter the Sierras

[jjonz@xxxxxxxxx (Jeff Jones)]

I liked being in the Sierra's early (relatively for PCT'ers) on my '79
thruhike attempt.  The passes were tough (especially sun cups though
crampons helped) but the snow on the passes kept the weenies out of the
inner valleys and I had them pretty much to myself.  I think '79 was a
normal snow year.  I summited Whitney on June 6.  The passes were solid
snow but the valleys were snowless and deserted (except for the
mosquitoes).   Stream (i.e. raging torrent) crossings were also scary
but manageable.  I'd probably try to time my entry into the Sierras so
snow conditions were the same because I liked the solitude.   I always
tried to time my hiking so I slept right below snowline so the climb up
was on hard snow and frequently had snow of just the right consistency
for kick-stepping down.  This minimized post-holing nightmares.  My
worst memeries were sloshing through the muck at the snow/dirt
transition, especially the long traverses the newer PCT is (in)famous
for.  My steep snow experience before the PCT was minimal and like many
others, I was lucky to survive a couple of scary situations.  I have a
lot more experience now (climbing, skiing, and mountaineering) but I
kind of wonder whether it would serve me well or not - i.e. I might be
tempted to try more difficult routes rather allowing terror to motivate
me to take the longer, more strenuous but safer route.
      Jeff Jones