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

[Bighummel at aol.com (Bighummel@aol.com)]

Another alternative to leaving early and wanting to still go to the 
ADZPCTKO is to arrange a ride back to the kickoff from any of the convenient 
points north; Warner Springs, Anza, Idylwild, I-10, Big Bear, even I-15.  Then 
after the event the same person who picked you up can take you back on their 
way home.  You can arrange this through the ADZ super site ride board.  
Several people have done this in past years.  Many southern California supporters of 
the trail come down for the kickoff and offer such rides.  

Regarding trail conditions;  Tim Stone, the USFS PCT Manager has attended the 
kickoff the last two years and is likely to attend this one.  He is currently 
focused on the Washington problem and I will ask him to speak to it at the 
kickoff.  As Monte noted, it is too early to give or get ANY reliable 
information on this area until the snow melts off.  

Regarding water reports;  Up-to-date water reports and cache locations will 
be provided at the kickoff.  AsABat has started a website to collect water 
information at; http://www.4jeffrey.net/pctwater  

Also trail conditions can be reported to and collected from "Trail Angel 
Heaven" at; http://www.seedwiki.com/page.cfm?doc=TrailAngels&wikiid=3998

Boy, you guys/girls have it easy these days.  So much information and support!

Greg "Strider" Hummel
ADZPCTKO Coordinator

In a message dated 2/17/2004 2:47:49 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
Steven.Setzer@Colorado.EDU writes:
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