[pct-l] ADZPCTKO, to go or not to go?

[Steven.Setzer at Colorado.EDU (Steve Setzer)]

I'm in the same boat as you and I'm leaning towards skipping the KO party.
I've been reading people's journals from previous years and it seems like
most who go to the KO, get to the Sierra a bit early.  Even people who
leave much later can get to the Sierra before June 15.  This isn't a
problem on a below average year, but some of the journals imply that the
snow is a bit much in very early June. I realize there's no magic in the
June 15 date, but leaving two weeks later can make a big difference in the
snow pack (i.e. leaving Kennedy Meadows on June 1 as opposed to June 15).

Here's what I decided.  If its an average to above average year, I'll
probably leave around May 7.  If its a below average year, I'll go to the
KO party.

I think all the water info and trail info can be obtained through this
list after the KO has taken place so we won't be missing out on any of
that.

Steve


On Mon, 16 Feb 2004, Brian Bowlsby wrote:

> I'm debating whether or not to go to the kick-off this year and start my
> thru-hike from there. But, I'm curious as to what the rest of the 2004 class
> is planning on doing as far as an itinerary and Kennedy meadows arrival day?
>
> The problem I have in deciding, (as I'm sure many do) is that I'm planning
> on a 4-1/2 month thru-hike, and if I attend the kick-off on the 23-24 April
> and then head north with the group on the 25th, then I will arrive at
> Kennedy Meadows on June 1st, (which is too early to enter the Sierra most
> years). Even if I slow my pace to the 5 month itinerary until I reach K.M.,
> and take 6 zero days before reaching K.M., I still arrive on the 6th of
> June!
>