[pct-l] The right snowshoes and how to predict where they will be needed

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good morning, Sequoia,



With apologies to our friends at the Sacramento Bee I don’t believe the snow
situation is quite as bad as they would have us believe, and it’s a long
time until mid-June when hikers enter the S. Sierras.  I prefer to watch:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/PLOT_SWC.2010.pdf


<http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/PLOT_SWC.2010.pdf>

Even when there’s lots of snowpack it’s likely a hiker can successfully walk
on top rather than needing to resort to snowshoes:

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=264464

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=264576

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=264768


<http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=264768>

Most reputable snowshoe peddlers suggest appropriate sizes for hikers by
weight.  My favorite model is Northern Lites Quicksilver-30 but I never have
resorted to carrying them on an extended hike.


Enjoy your planning,


Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Sat, Feb 13, 2010 at 2:29 PM, Sequoia Kennels <sequoiagsp at ocsnet.net>wrote:

> Since this has been a heavy snow pack year, with snow in the sierras likely
> through June, I hope some veterns will help with snowshoe information:
>
> 1. Which lightweight showshoe will be strong enough to hold me and pack,
> say 250# gross weight.
>
> 2. What's the best way to find out the snow/trail conditions ahead with
> enough time to get the showshoes shipped to me.
>
> 3. Can showshoes be mailed or is there a better way to ship them to my
> location of need.
>
> 4. Would x-country skis be a possible alternative?
>
> 5. Supposing that this is going to be a high snow pack year, at what point
> on the trail will SS become useful.
>
> >From the Fresno Bee, January 30th, 2010:
> Statewide snow surveys show the Sierra Nevada's snowpack is 115% of average
> for this time of year -- nearly double the size a year ago.In the Sierra
> east of Fresno, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. officials said the snowpack is
> 116% of average, compared to 66% of average last year at this time.Statewide
> snow surveys show the Sierra Nevada's snowpack is 115% of average for this
> time of year -- nearly double the size a year ago.In the Sierra east of
> Fresno, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. officials said the snowpack is 116% of
> average, compared to 66% of average last year at this time.
>
> In addition to the above, there were five huge storms during February.
>
>
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