[pct-l] prep for JMT--advice?

[Ned Tibbits]

Monica!

I was going through my recent email and wasn't sure if I had responded to 
your questions, here.

For the most part, in the High Sierra, from July into August you can expect 
snow on the passes, whether in patches or fields.  The problem will be 
deciding if the patches will be dangerous enough (those with rocks or cliffs 
at the bottom) to warrant carrying and using, if even for a brief time 
crossing the patch/field, an ice axe for self-arrest, should you slip and 
fall and take off sliding.  Tough call since you can't know how much will be 
there until you are there!

For years hikers have traveled the high trails mid-summer without protection 
and never needed it as they relied upon heavy-lugged boots for traction, 
kicking good footholds in the snow for stability for each footstep, and, 
where available, climbing and descending (the most hazardous of the two) in 
others' footsteps.  If conditions are worse than you expected when you get 
there, you'll be glad you've got the axe (and know and have practiced how to 
use it!) to stop yourself from hitting the rocks should you loose it, just 
have it in hand (the up-hill one!) when the slope looks tricky.

Know yourself, what you can tolerate, what makes you scared, and what your 
skills can do for you before you go and have a great time in God's Country!

Mtnned

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Information on Programs, previous Trips, and Photo Gallery,

Please visit: www.mountaineducation.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Monica Varsanyi" <Monica.Varsanyi at asu.edu>
To: "Ned Tibbits" <ned at mountaineducation.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 12:52 PM
Subject: RE: [pct-l] prep for JMT--advice?


Hey Mttned,

Thanks so much for this information!  Yes, I completely agree with you
re: building the confidence and experience in using an ice axe and
crampon.  I've done a bit of snow camping, but we were on skis, so
didn't cover terrain which required ice axe/crampons.

This time around, however, we are planning to hike the JMT SOBO,
starting in mid-July, so the snow conditions will likely be different
than for those doing a thruhike of the PCT, who enter the Sierras in
mid-June.  By the time we get to the higher elevations, it will be early
August, so I imagine that much of the snowpack will have melted off?
Any thoughts on the Sierras at this time of year?

Thanks much,
Ponch

-----Original Message-----
From: Ned Tibbits [mailto:ned at mountaineducation.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 12:41 PM
To: Monica Varsanyi
Subject: Re: [pct-l] prep for JMT--advice?

Hi, Monica! Here is a copy of our recent email with comments based upon
the
class of 2006 Questionnaire.

I will soon be posting the actual dates of Mountain Education's training

trips for this Winter/Spring.  In general, though, we run SC101 basic
snowcamping trips every weekend of the season, SC102a &b run on Holiday
weekends like Martin Luther King, and the SC201s run during the major
Holiday breaks like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

We do not have a 1-day clinic since we feel what can be taught about
overnighting makes for a more valuable combination and gives you a
better
preparation for your own trips out.  Truthfully, ice axe and crampon use
is
not covered until students reach the 102 level of confidence which
better
prepares you for the spring thru hike experience, anyway.  Requires more

time out of your schedule, but is priceless on your 5-month adventure!

What do you think?

Mtnned
--------------------
Plunge-stepping down snowy passes can be wonderfully successful as long
as
the snow is hard enough, and that is up to you to decide at the time.

You want your boots, especially the heel and the vertical lip in front
of
it, to sink in far enough to get a good purchase in the snow, creating a
stable platform secure enough to handle all your weight without the fear
of
"plunging" or breaking through the surface and down into a jarring and
potentially painful "post-hole."  Post-holing while plunge-stepping down
a
steep grade has the potential to cause severe damage to knees, hips and
skin
in-between.  Know the snow conditions, what you're capable of doing
(practice before trip), and whatever obstacles may lurk beneath the
snow.

Plunge-stepping, if the conditions are right and your technique is good,
is
a great way down.  Don't come off your heels too soon, that is, rock
forward
to the balls of your foot, as you may suddenly begin skating on that
foot
and/or slip and fall. Basically, step on your heels all the way down
while
maintaining lateral balance with your poles.

There are other ways to get safely down the slope with a loaded pack:
glissade, skate, boot-ski, traverse, belay, or follow exposed rock down.

Snow bridges, rock and tree wells, hidden sub-surface ankle-twisters
like
branches, boulders and ice strata as well as surface difficulties like
ice,
suncups, and sierra soup all can make your day difficult and/or
hazardous.

All of you who have spent time in the spring snow of the high sierra
should
chime in here with your experiences dealing with these problems for the
benefit of future thrus!

According to the Questionnaire returns we have received to date, to some
these problems were no big deal (prior experience), yet to others they
meant
injury (minor or major depending on the person and circumstance).  Some
walked through their pain and constantly wet feet (something they could
tolerate) while others took zeros or left the trail for a while to
recover.

Based on returns, creek crossings were the number one greatest fear and
danger.  Number two were the consequences of near constant
slip-and-falls
and injuries from post-holing.  Those who carried snowshoes voiced mixed
reviews as to their worth.  They could go farther, faster and without
injury, but the shoes were foreign to them, weighed down their feet,
didn't
feel "natural" to their leg swing, didn't do well in suncups, steep
traverses, and downhills, and weighed down their packs when not needed.
Snowshoes to some were "worth their weight in beer" and to others a pain
in
the ass.  Your choice.  Go out and try them for yourself in the same
conditions you'll be needing them on your thru hike.  Decide through
hands-on trial whether they work for you.

Ice axes and crampons were considered  more required and necessary,
though
used about as seldom as snowshoes.  On the steep, straight-up climbs and
the
straight down glissades, they were priceless to safety when used in
trained
hands (yes, both hands). Crampons were found to be invaluable when ice
was
present, however, by waiting for the surface snow/ice to melt a little,
hikers could walk on without them and able to create perfectly fine
footholds.  Problem, here, were the flat, low-lugged surfaces of
popular
trail-runners: not enough grip nor brake leading to constant
slip-and-falls.
Most hikers didn't know what to do with their axes nor when to
anticipate
the need for them so that they were in-hand when they fell (thinking of
the
Sonora Pass fall story).

Once again, folks, a tool is no good unless you know how to use it.  If
you
choose to carry it, know what it can do for you and have already
practiced
how to do it!  Ice axes and crampons can keep you safe.  They can also
cause
severe injury in the unpracticed hand.

Enough for now.

Mtnned


------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------

For Information on Programs, previous Trips, and Photo Gallery,

Please visit: www.mountaineducation.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Monica Varsanyi" <Monica.Varsanyi at asu.edu>
To: "Ned Tibbits" <ned at mountaineducation.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 12:01 PM
Subject: RE: [pct-l] prep for JMT--advice?


Hi Mtn Ned!

I'm sure I have it buried in my email somewhere, but if you could
resend, that would be great.

BTW, do you do any 1-day ice axe/crampon seminars?  I know you guys do
longer trips...

Thanks!
ponch

-----Original Message-----
From: Ned Tibbits [mailto:ned at mountaineducation.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 11:02 AM
To: djm1313 at foo21.com; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] prep for JMT--advice?

Hi, Ponch!

We just recently posted information gleaned from the class of 2006
regarding
their experiences with ice axes, crampons, snow levels, etc..  If you
don't
have it in your email, I'll send you a copy.  As I can, I'll continue
the
information gathered on other topics asked in the preceeding Thru Hiker
Questionaire.

Mtnned

------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------

For Information on Programs, previous Trips, and Photo Gallery,

Please visit: www.mountaineducation.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <djm1313 at foo21.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 10:25 AM
Subject: [pct-l] prep for JMT--advice?


> Hi all,
>
>
>
> We are planning to hike the JMT SOBO during summer 2007 (July 20-Aug
15 or
> so), and are wondering if it is necessary at that time to bring
crampons
> or
> an ice axe.  Obviously, this depends on conditions, but just curious
what
> the general sentiment is out there.  I tend to err on the safe side,
but I
> suspect that carrying this equipment at that time of year might be
> overkill??
>
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> Ponch
>
>
>
>
>
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