[pct-l] Re: PCT-Prep

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

Hi, Donna!
 
In essence, what the thru-hikers are doing over snow in the High Sierra is  
nontechnical mountaineering.  Navigation over snow, above timberline, in  high, 
rugged terrain, over ice, suncups, and crappy mush, post-holing for  lengths 
at a time, getting soaked and sunburnt, scrambling around tree wells  while 
packs are being snagged by branches and legs cut by rocks, fording waist  deep 
torrents of creeks, sleeping in already wet clothing and bags, starting  every 
day with frozen water and boots, all the while trying to follow the right  
canyon up and over yet another 11,000 foot pass is mountaineering.
 
The Clinic you're interested in is PCT-Prep, our four-day shakedown cruise  
for the thrus. As I was just telling "Ironlegs," the areas taught or emphasized 
 are those you'll need to know and practice for your trip, including, and 
most  importantly, ice axe use and self arrest techniques as they apply to the 
thru  hiker and avalanche awareness, snow condition recognition, and avalanche  
avoidance.  Lots more practical, hands-on skills are shown and supervised  so 
you'll be more prepared before setting out from home and more confident once  
on the snow.
 
Much of this I learned from a similar program I attended before my  hike.  
That one weekend was a heck of a test and contributed to many  schedule and 
equipment changes before I left mid-March of 1974.  I was in  snow from mid-April 
on the Kern Plateau, on and off all the way to mid-August at  Rainier N.P.. 
And that was just the Crest, the Divide was another story.
 
Let us know when you'd like to go.  Your schedule is tighter  than ours as 
your start date is coming up. The more people, the less  expensive, as these are 
nonprofit clinics benefiting each current class of thru  hikers. Group of 
eight max. Under that we'll put the group together and confirm  the date.  Early 
March to KO is best but not necessary.
 
Yes, there is a list, but you already have it!  This is your snow  shakedown 
cruise.  Bring what you will be carrying when you're on the  snow.  This is 
your opportunity to test it and you (under supervision in  case you don't know 
how to use it or it doesn't work out for you) under the  conditions you'll have 
when you're up there.  Prior to our meeting at the  trailhead, we'll have 
plenty of phone conversations to get you ready!
 
Any further questions, RSVP.
 
Mtnned