[pct-l] Snow Course Review

[Timothy Akin]

High marks all around. Thanks again Ned for leading our group.
I would definitely recommend this trek to anyone new to cold weather  
camping. If you have any fears about traveling or camping on snow,  
Ned will help you overcome those fears.
We covered everything that was laid out in his syllabus.  Route  
finding, avalanche awareness, self arrest, basic cold weather camping  
skills.
I learned that watching a self arrest on Youtube is not the same as  
getting out in the snow and teaching your body and mind how to do  
this correctly.  I learned to be aware of your surroundings and when  
to take that axe off your pack and into your hand.  I learned the  
necessity of tying down my tent properly before going out for a day  
hike on a potentially windy day (my pop-up tent did a Wizard of Oz  
while I was gone).  I learned where to source water in winter.  I  
walked two miles across a frozen Lake Echo.  I learned how to be more  
aware of natures clues by observing the weather, snow pit profiles,  
visible surface fractures in sloped snow.  I learned how to cross  
frozen creeks. I learned.
One of our crew dug and slept in a snow cave.
The skills taught here are always geared toward safety on the trail.   
As for the scenery, how can you go wrong with Desolation Wilderness  
in winter!  Good show Ned.

Tim A.
JMT sobo 2009