[pct-l] Southbounders?

[elee at microsoft.com (Eric Lee (GAMES))]

Kyle wrote:
>
What makes for a good southbound year?  Why is the southbound direction
considered more difficult?  Thanks.
>

In order to start early enough to make it through the Sierras before
winter hits, you generally have to start walking in the North Cascades
around the end of June while there's still a lot of snow on the ground.
Travel can be very challenging.  There are not a lot of other people on
the trail, so it can be very lonely.  And when you get to the southern
California desert regions, there is little water.

A good southbound year is when the North Cascades have an unusually
early meltoff that allows people to get started earlier.  It also helps
if the Sierras have an unusually late meltoff at the same time, which
makes the southbound trip look more appealing in comparison to the
northbound trip.  :-)

Eric