[pct-l] BIG SNOW/Problems for 2005 PCT hikers.

[metam01 at earthlink.net (Monty Tam)]

Jason

I mostly hike alone, but I found that whenever I've run into an obsticle or
indecision, there were other hikers there, usually with the same questions
I had.  The solution was ALWAYS there or within reach.  If it was a "Where
do we go now?", we would almost always hang together until the solution was
at least in motion.  Often farther.  Great opportunity to get to know other
hikers.  A plus.

As far as Sierra strategy and snow?  Somehow snow condition reports make
there way to everywhere on the trail.  If you make it as far as Kennedy
Meadows without starting a Flip Flop, a couple days each side of June 15th
there's always a guy there in the middle of all the activity named Meadow
Ed.  Wish him Happy Birthday and ask him about snow and strategies.

If you know you're going to save the Sierras for later,  I would leave the
trail earlier, at Tehachapi or Walker Pass.  Exiting and returning to
Kennedy Meadows is much more difficult from what I was told by the natives.

I'll be hiking again this year, so thanks for bringing up this question for
me to think about too.  (Only 3 1/2 months?)

Warner Springs Monty