[pct-l] Fwd: Sierra Snow Melt

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

Richard,

Good catch.  Damn, I screw up on these more often now than I ever have.  I 
must be losing it.  I meant to say nearly all of the snow in the Southern 
Sierra.  Sonora and points north should be at about the same point as the southern 
Sierra is now, by the time that a thru-hiker would take to get there leaving 
Kennedy Meadows (south) now.  

Thanks,

Greg



In a message dated 5/22/2004 8:11:35 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
calliger@infolane.com writes:
Sonora pass/PCT near Leavitt peak has about 6 feet left
at 11000 feet..but melting fast.
> The Sierra snow melt is in full rage.  There is hardly any snow registering 
> on any of the snow survey sites and only 4 inches at 11,400 feet elevation 
at 
> Tyndall Creek site just south of Forester Pass. 
> 
>  If I were hiking this year I would be willing to risk entering the Sierra 
> now, but would carry an ice axe and perhaps instep crampons for getting 
over the 
> higher passes.  In two weeks or so, this equipment might not be even 
> necessary.
> 
> This early of a snow meltoff matches that of 1977 in which the least amount 
> of snow on record fell on the Sierra during the previous winter.
> 
> This is all in my humble opinion and your decisions should be based upon 
your 
> own skills, experience and comfort with snow, ice and runoff conditions.
> 
> Good luck!
> 
> Greg