[pct-l] Cutting a Fuller Ridge trail

[maurer at earthlink.net (maurer@earthlink.net)]

Hi all,

After Trail Fest this weekend and before the Kick Off on the 22nd I 
think I'm going to have time to try and cut a trail across Fuller Ridge. 
As a reminder, I was up at Saddle Jct about 3-4 weeks ago and mentioned 
I might be able to do this for the Thru Hikers. My plan is more of a 
work trip than a hike - I'll plot the PCT every 1/4 mile on my GPS, hike 
up to Strawberry jct out of Idyllwild and basically follow the GPS, 
trying my best to stay on the trail. my goal is to carry crampons, ice 
axe and snow shoes. I will hike to Black Mountain campground and turn 
around. On the way back I will wear snow shoes (if I haven't already!) 
to try and make the trail as visible as possible. I plan on doing this 
friday April 15. I may also take some strips of orange material to tie 
to trees and shrubs.

I do have one philosophical question, though. I'm doing this so that I 
can be of service and help this years Thru Hiker pack get through the 
snow. It occurred to me though that maybe you Thru Hikers WANT the 
adventure and experience of breaking your own trail through Fuller 
Ridge, and that having someone lay it out for you might take away from 
the hiking experience as a whole. The last thing I want to accomplish 
here is to interfere with your adventure. If I end up cutting the trail 
I'd be happy to provide some sort of a summary at the Kick Off. 
Greg/Carl - perhaps you can tack me onto the end of Meadow Ed's water 
talk on Sat. afternoon? Otherwise, anyone can find me at the Gossamer 
booth all weekend. Either one works for me.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. As a reminder, I get these 
messages as a digest, not individually, so my responses might be slow.



Mike Maurer
Gossamer Gear