[pct-l] Early April PCT Starts

[scourtway at bpa-arch.com (Steve Courtway)]

>You should expect some snow in the Laguna Mts. about 40 miles into your
hike at that time of year

Having been quietly observing april weather for the past 5 or 6 years here
in
San Diego with the PCT in mid, I'd modify that statement to read "snow may
fall in the lagunas as the
result of extremely violent and cold storms which in recent years have
pounded the mountains
of san diego, san bernardino and los angeles in mid to late april"
hahahahah.

Steve

----- Original Message -----
From: <Montedodge@aol.com>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2003 10:41 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Early April PCT Starts


> Before Ray Jadine did the PCT in late 80's thru early 90,s, most
thru-hikers
> did in fact start their trip in early April. ( April 1st. was a rule of
thumb
> in early years) Reason was the " Average" thru-hike took longer because of
> the heavy boots and heavy gear used a few years ago. A thru-hike took
almost a
> month longer than now even though the trail in the 70's and early 80's was
up
> to 150 miles shorter. ( 15 to 17 miles a day were averages with few hikers
> breaking the 25 a day barrier with the 60 pound packs.
>     Early April is still a good a time to start on low snow years or if
you
> plan to hike relaxed milage days the first 2 months of your hike.
>   You should expect some snow in the Laguna Mts. about 40 miles into your
> hike at that time of year and be prepared to have at least an ice axe in
the San
> Jacinto Area area of the trail 2 to 3 weeks from border . ( May also need
to
> do some light route finding after a heavy snow year in San Jacinto Area)
>     Things that are good about the early start is that the water sources
> along the trail should be in good shape as many dry up even before late
April.

> Ala.- Hauser Creek near border) Being at a 10 to 15 mile pace allows you
to
> pick wonderful camp sites along the way  and gives you time to enjoy some
very
> nice trail towns ( like Julian) to take a layover day. For an older hiker
in not
> yet prime hiking shape , this is the way to go and allows the body to
break
> in slowly.  ( Of course younger hikers and folks in top shape may be able
to up
> off a plane to hit the 20 plus mile days off the get go)
>     I have high hopes of doing a thru-hike at retire at 60 and plan to do
> this method myself. ( I will need all the help I can get !!) Good Luck!!
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