[pct-l] fuller ridge question

[AsABat]

I should add that in April 2006, two weeks before ADZ, I hiked from Saddle
Junction to Seven Pines Trail. Navigation was not too difficult, with
reasonable map and compass skills, until we dropped off the PCT onto Seven
Pines Trail. Once we hit the bottom of the bowl the trail was impossible
to find without expert compass skills, and a GPS helped. With sunlight
fading away because of someone's slow speed (mine), we finally gave up
trying to stay on the trail and used GPS and compass to beeline out to the
road. With me was a SAR member, and I have almost 40 years experience.

AsABat

On Wed, February 6, 2008 7:54 am, AsABat wrote:
> There can be two challenges on Fuller Ridge.
>
> The first (which applies to much of the Tahquitz and San Jacinto area) is
> navigation. On the map cited, you may find deep snow in the bowls such as
> the one between the Seven Pines and Fuller Ridge trails, and along the PCT
> due west of Little Round Valley. If no tracks are visible you will spend
> some time navigating, as the trail undulates a bit in that area. Also note
> that just because you find tracks does not mean they are going the right
> way - they could be lost, as happened a couple years ago when one lost PCT
> hiker followed another lost hiker's tracks to their camp.
>
> The second is exposure. Once the PCT crosses to the north side of Fuller
> Ridge (about 8600 feet), there will be more snow on a steep side slope.
> Care must be taken here. When snow and ice are present, ice axes are
> usually advised. Even without snow, take care as fallen leaves may cover
> icy patches.
>
> It is still early to predict conditions, but there's lots of snow right
> now.
>
> AsABat
>
> On Wed, February 6, 2008 6:34 am, robo hiker wrote:
>>
>> i found a nice map of what seems to be a section of fuller ridge. i've
>> heard that it can be a real challenge with snow on it. can you tell if
>> any
>> of those difficult parts are shown on the map i'm providing? i'm used to
>> snow travel ,and my navagational skills are well very good, i'm thinking
>> i'll be giving it a go no matter how much snow is on it. any insight
>> will
>> be appreciated, thanks
>>
>> map ->  http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/204109.jpg
>
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