<div>Dear Disco,</div> <div> </div> <div>I don't know if you remember me from the PCT> I am Ralph Kramden of the Honeymooners. We spent some interesting evenings with Steady and Honolulu in Yosemite and Northen California, before we parted company in Echo Lake Resort. Well, Alice and I are presently in Silver City, NM headed north on the CDT. I saw your name on the CDT-L and decided to say hi. I hope all is well with you.</div> <div> </div> <div>Regards,</div> <div> </div> <div>Ralph Kramden, The Honeymooners aka Don Grant<BR><BR><B><I>Lawton Grinter <lawtong@hotmail.com></I></B> wrote:</div> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Hi Dan, I hiked the CDT sobo last year starting June 15th at Chief Mtn. Port <BR>of Entry. I donīt know anything about campsite updates or the opening dates <BR>for the Ptarmigan Tunnel but I can offer a bit of info on gear.<BR><BR>Sleeping Bags: A 30
degree bag would have been absolutely fine last year <BR>and keep in mind our starting date was about 3 weeks earlier than yours.<BR><BR>Tents: I started with 5 other people and our shelters ran the gammet from <BR>tarptents, to tarps, to tents, to poncho-tarps. We had some nasty weather <BR>including downpours that lasted most of the night. Everyone stayed dry . . <BR>. including those whose shelters weighed less than 1 pound. My advice would <BR>be to take the lighter of the 2 shelters you mentioned as long as you are <BR>confident that the shelter you bring will keep you dry . . . because in <BR>Glacier there is always a good chance or rain!<BR><BR>Ice Axe & Crampons: The 6 of us also used different gear to get ourselves <BR>across snowfields. P.O.D. and I used ice axes and no crampons. One guy <BR>used crampons and hiking poles. And 3 others used nothing. We all made it <BR>across. However, I should mention that P.O.D. self-arrested twice crossing <BR>snowfields
going up to Piegan Pass. Without an ice axe and proper ice axe <BR>training, it could have been bad for her. I would just say use whatever you <BR>feel most comfortable with, but if you do choose to use an ice axe, itīs <BR>VERY important that you have been trained in how to self-arrest. And this <BR>may sound strange, but if you do choose to bring an ice axe, keep it <BR>accessible and pull it out before you cross a snowfield . . . Iīve seen a <BR>number of hikers crossing snowfields with their ice axes stowed on the side <BR>of their packs. Seems weird to me to have an ice axe with you but not in <BR>your hand when crossing terrain that you might possibly need it for!<BR><BR>Thatīs my 2 cents. Glacier is amazing. Have a blast out there.<BR><BR>Best, disco<BR><BR>lawton grinter<BR>PO Box 941<BR>Crested Butte, CO 81224<BR>http://walkumentary.blogspot.com/<BR><BR><BR>Gutsy and I plan to begin our SOBO section hike of the CDT the week of July <BR>4, starting at Chief Mt.
trailhead and hopefully hiking at least to Rogers <BR>Pass.<BR><BR>Does anyone have an update on the Red Eagle campsites? CDT-L messages <BR>posted in January indicated it will be closed. Any other closings?<BR><BR>Will 30 degree bags be ok?<BR><BR>Is the Ptarmigan tunnel expected to be open by July 5?<BR><BR>We have a Black Diamond Megalight tent and an MSR Hubba Hubba. If it were <BR>your choice, which would you carry?<BR><BR>What about ice axe and crampons?<BR><BR>I know that some listers are already on the trail, but if you have any <BR>suggestions, please respond. Thank you for your comments! I don't expect <BR>to see many of you out there--most SOBO hikers will be in GNP earlier, and <BR>NOBO hikers will be there later than us.<BR><BR>Dan<BR><BR>_________________________________________________________________<BR>Watch free concerts with Pink, Rod Stewart, Oasis and more. Visit MSN In <BR>Concert today.
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