[pct-l] Fw: Weather considerations anytime/ a must read

Sat Aug 21 10:58:17 CDT 2010

Hello to all PCT hikers,

This, from Ned, is a "must read" for all PCT hikers.  Going UL is'nt necessarily 
smart.  Adding a few pounds can make your PCT hike (or ride) both more 
comfortable and safer.  I even bring along a solar shower - for showers and also 
to provide the convenience of running water with a faucet at campside. Mine, 
which I have used for nearly 40 years, weighs just 12 ounces.  Piper (Diane) 
mentioned one that only weighs a little over 4 ounces. I plan to check that one 
out before my next ride. Both hold about 2 1/2 gallons of water.

MendoRider/Ed A.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "ned at mountaineducation.org" <ned at mountaineducation.org>
To: dsaufley at sprynet.com
Cc: PCT MailingList <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wed, August 4, 2010 10:51:06 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Weather considerations anytime

Bad weather can hit any month of the year pretty much anywhere along the 
PCT. Plan for the worst, hope for the best, carry what it will take to get 
you through should things get bad, and know how to deal with it all so you 
make sound decisions for a safe trip.

I realize that we all strive for the lightest packs on our journeys and that 
is good, but don't go without the training (experience), knowledge 
(realistic understanding of the reality of the trail), and requisite gear to 
get you through come what may. I know we romanticize the next hike, 
believing that it will be beautiful, warm (not too hot), no bugs or bears, 
and, hopefully, no nasty lightning storms, and therefore expect to 
experience the same, but the reality just isn't that way in many cases.

Who would have known that this June would bring another snow storm to the 
southern sierra and night time temps still in the teens? Without having gone 
in there ahead of time to check it out, who would have expected that the 
snow level in May was at 9000 feet and not rising because of lingering cold 
temps and two more snow storms?

This summer has played out much the same unpredictable way. We have had 
frequent rain and lightning storms. The snow level is still lower than we 
have grown accustomed to over the past twenty years for this time of year 
(hikers are still saying that they are wallowing through snow en route to 
Muir Pass). Creek crossings are still dangerous for the month of August. 
There is still lots of melting snow up in Desolation as is indicated by the 
high drainage creek visible at Horsetail Falls above Twin Bridges off 
highway 50. This is August?

So, plan to experience all the high sierra can throw at you, learn how to 
deal with it before you get caught by surprise on-trail, and bring suitable 
gear and clothing to get you through comfortably, warm, and dry. Yes, your 
pack will be heavier, but you can rest assured (peace of mind) that you'll 
be ready.

Some folks think it a challenge to go as light as possible, but what others 
don't know is just how much comfort or safety they were willing to sacrifice 
to achieve that pack weight. Yes, a light pack is more comfortable and can 
make for an easier trip, but what if something happens that you are not 
prepared for? You can't assume that since it is summer you will not have to 
deal with getting wet or cold, for example, so bring rain and cold weather 
clothing, just in case (unless, of course, you don't mind getting wet and 
cold because you believe it will not be for an extended period of time). 
Sure some early explorers travelled with only a blanket and matches (or 
something like that), but they may have dealt well with cold and hunger, 
knowing what to do about it out in the wilderness without having to carry 
extra gear or food, but not everyone today can do that or is willing to.

Know the conditions that occur where and when you want to travel and plan 
for them by taking what is necessary, minimizing weight as much as you can. 
Going without isn't what we would call "common sense."

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "dsaufley" <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
To: "'Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com'" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>; 
<pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 10:05 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] How much of (calif) section A-F is do'able in January

> Piper is spot on, as are the others.  Weather in winter and spring in So 
> Cal
> is a wild ride.  My only add to the discussion is that the WIND, which can
> be brutal, is another consideration, along with the possibilities of snow 
> or
> storms interspersed with fabulously beautiful weather.  You can plan on
> experiencing just about every range of weather, you just can't plan on 
> when
> you'll get what.
>
> L-Rod
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com
> Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 8:54 PM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] How much of (calif) section A-F is do'able in January
>
>
> On Aug 3, 2010, at 3:48 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>>
>> I'm hoping to be a thru in 2011...  but in dropping said hint at work,
>> getting that much time off in one piece might not be possible. So
>> instead of
>> a "true thru" (Apr->Oct, Mex->Can), my plan B would be a "thru in a
>> year",
>> ie, do pieces or all of A-F in January and March, and then pick up
>> in early
>> June where I left off. So, my question is: when does winter come to
>> the
>> south? When (nominally) does Baden-Powell become snow covered; or
>> asked
>> differently: what parts are still doable (meaning trail walking, not
>> snowshoe'ing) in January, and again, in March?
>> thanks - TheDuck
>
> You might consider a plan C which is to do as much as you can in the
> time you have and not worry about whether it's the whole trail.
>
> In my opinion as a life-long So Cal resident, at the elevations
> you'll be at, you won't be able to do much of So Cal in January or
> March. You could probably do Section A and the beginning of Section B
> in March. You may also be able to do some of Section E, but probably
> not the part in the Tehachapi mountains. It may be possible to do the
> same pieces in January if it's a warm, dry January. But the rest of
> So Cal will have snow and some sections are very dangerous (such as
> Baden-Powell and San Jacinto). People die there or get rescued with
> serious injuries all the time.
>
> So your question: when does winter come to the south? Whenever it
> wants to, but generally between November and April. So Cal isn't all
> sunshine and bikinis by any means. You'd be surprised at the number
> of people who drop out of their hikes in So Cal because the weather
> is just too extreme.
>
>
> Books I've written:
> ~ Piper's Flight
> ~ Adventure and Magic
> ~ Santa Barbara Hikes
> http://stores.lulu.com/dianesoini
>
> We're not here for a long time, but we are here for a good time
>
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