[pct-l] Where does one REALY need an ICE AXE in theSierras?

[brick@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (brick@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx)]

If you are on a typical thru-hiker schedule, departing from Campo

You do not need crampons. You will probably sleep low, and the snow will be
rather soft before you get too high. If not, it is pretty easy to chop
steps going up hill, if you have an ice axe. Post-hole-ing is a much more
significant problem.

You ABSOLUTELY MUST have an ice axe, and you must know how to use it for
self arrest. If you do not, an otherwise minor slip and fall could be
fatal. There is at least one fatality I know of: a rather experience thru
hiker that probably wouldn't have happened if he had an ice axe.

You will not need an axe in the Lagunas, even if you do happen to find some
snow there.

You may need and axe around Mt. San Jacinto, especially on the "dreaded
fuller ridge,"  (guidebook map B9- B10) but you can walk around that
section on Black Mountain Road. Here is what Fuller Ridge looked like one
June day http://www.fastpack.com/brick/joe_fuller_ridge.jpg (the subject is
the PCTA's Joe Sobinovski)

You might also need and axe on Mt. Baden Powell, (guidebook map D5) but you
could walk around that short bit on Highway 2.

You should definitely pick up an axe when leaving Kennedy Meadows. Lone
Pine is too late, as you may need the axe to descend the passes to reach
Lone Pine.

All IMHO, YMMV



--
Brick Robbins

There are only 10 types of people in the world:
Those who understand binary and those who don't.