[pct-l] South to North or North to South; Which will it be?

[mardav@xxxxxxxxxxx (Marion Davison)]

I concur with the arguments in favor of a southbound hike.  I like to maxim=
ize my enjoyment of the places I visit, by being there when they are most e=
njoyable.  To put it another way I am a risk-averse pleasure seeker.  We pl=
anned to spend last August between Donner Pass and Sonora Pass.  We spent t=
en days hiking around Desolation Wilderness and loved it, but as soon as we=
 started hiking south of Echo Summit the heat and lack of water had us real=
ly miserable.  We hiked back to the vehicle, drove to Bishop and
resumed hiking in the high country.
I think Desolation Wilderness is delightful anytime, but the volcano countr=
y from Echo Summit to Sonora Pass is best enjoyed earlier in the season whe=
n water is still available and the temperatures are a bit cooler.  As you h=
ike south you will increase in elevation, encounter cooler temperatures and=
 more abundant water.  You will hit the high passes (Muir to Forester) in A=
ugust when the bugs are gone, the rain has stopped and the snow has melted.=
  Those same passes could be downright dangerous in early July.  As a
section hiker I have a different perspective.  I only get two work-free mon=
ths of summer in the backcountry, so I want to be at the best place at the =
best time.
llamalady

Eric and Ingrid Glazzard wrote:

> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> Dear fellow PCT'ers....
>
> It is wonderful to be on this mailing list. The amount & quality of infor=
mation passed around is so helpful. Thank you!
>
> For a few years now, my girlfriends and I have been part of a hiking grou=
p called "Women Who Run with the Chipmunks."  This year, we are planning a =
six week hike on the PCT from July 6 to August 16. We are still debating if=
 we should start at Kennedy Meadows and end up at Echo Lake or.... start up=
 near Desolation Wilderness and end our hike either up Mount Whitney or nea=
rby. Does anyone have any thoughts which way would be better to go especial=
ly with regards to snow/ice conditions on the trail, mosquitos, etc.
>
> Looking forward to your input. :=3D}
>
> Ingrid for the Chipmunks!!!!!!
> --
>
> _______________________________________________
> PCT-L mailing list
> PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l