[Cdt-l] longest continuous section above treeline?

[Eric Whte]

Scratch my suggestion - it's only 16.7+ miles although it seems like a lot more. Eric


________________________________
 From: Eric Whte <ericshawwhite at yahoo.com>
To: Brett <blisterfree at yahoo.com> 
Cc: CDT <cdt-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 7:40 AM
Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] longest continuous section above treeline?
 

I didn't do it because of thunderstorms and no water, but Ley says you can stay on the Divide even though, as I've learned from some of his 'understatements', it could be a 5.2 rock climb. Instead I dipped into the valley and climbed back out onto James Peak and on to Devil's Thumb. So I think one can go from Berhouds to Devils Thumb in the alpine zone. Mini Mart


________________________________
 From: Brett <blisterfree at yahoo.com>
To: Eric Whte <ericshawwhite at yahoo.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 9:36 PM
Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] longest continuous section above treeline?
 

Berhoud Pass area, eh? I'll have to look into that one as well. Surprised no one has done the math on this yet. Alpine zones are... cool, of course!

Brett


--- On Tue, 7/17/12, Eric Whte <ericshawwhite at yahoo.com> wrote:


>From: Eric Whte <ericshawwhite at yahoo.com>
>Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] longest continuous section above treeline?
>To: "Brett" <blisterfree at yahoo.com>
>Cc: "CDT"
 <cdt-l at backcountry.net>
>Date: Tuesday, July 17, 2012, 7:40 AM
>
>
>On the CDT - Central Colorado - If you stay on the Divide - a Ley alternate - then north of Berhoud Pass is pretty long. Or maybe from Breckenrdige North to Grey's Peak.
>
>
>
>________________________________
> From: Brett <blisterfree at yahoo.com>
>To: "cdt-l at backcountry.net" <cdt-l at backcountry.net> 
>Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 2:16 AM
>Subject: [Cdt-l] longest continuous section above treeline?
> 
>
>Here's a trail trivia question I haven't seen anyone pose before...
>
>Of the CDT and PCT
 (the two triple crown trails with extensive alpine terrain), which trail features the longest continuous stretch of travel above treeline? Just how long is the longest stretch, and where does it begin and end?
>
>I recognize there are potential ambiguities here, so perhaps some definitions are in order...
>
>On the PCT, since it's finished and that's what people hike, we're looking just at the official route, naturally. Whereas for the CDT, let's consider all regularly traveled route options; anything that's described in the official
 guidebooks,
 the Wolf guides, or on Jonathan Ley's mapset should be considered fair game in this case.
>
>The term "treeline" (or timberline, etc.) has various interpretations, but what I'm getting at is the idea of remaining
 above the sheltering forest, in the alpine zone, for a continuous distance. Let's say that the trail dips down briefly or otherwise enters an area, however extensive, where you're immediately surrounded by trees, of a man's height or taller, as opposed to something smaller which might be called a shrub. By my definition, the trail's entering such an area would end the preceding stretch of above-treeline travel. But if there are full-sized trees at a distance from the trail, even if on the level, where the trail doesn't travel among them and is still exposed fully to the elements, then that would not end that particular stretch of above-treeline travel.
>
>I suspect the devil may lie in the details here. Or perhaps the answer is actually cut and dry, especially if, say, the High Sierra features an obvious outlier that easily fits the criteria (such as the Muir Pass area?). Those that know the Colorado CDT (perhaps others sections too) better than I
 do may be best equipped to take a crack at such comparisons.
>
>So who wants to take a stab at this one? Fascinating insights await!
>
>- blisterfree
> 
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