[pct-l] Weather in the Sierras

[Reinhold Metzger]

Wes, 
You hit the nail right on the head.
Weather in the Sierra is totally unpredictable.
It can be hot, cold, sunny, thunder storms or snow any time of the year.
I stopped predicting or planing for any particular Sierra weather long ago.
I just go prepared for anything the Sierra can throw at me.

For example:  A few years ago, in August, between Guitar Lake and Whitney 
my tent collapsed from the weight of wet snow.
I got soaking wet and had to bail out next morning.
Almost froze to death, but I had a wet sleeping bag, a collapsed tent, and 
enough cold weather cloth to survive the night

I was "NOT" a happy camper that night.

JMT Reinhold
The happy camper
--------------------------------

Wes wrote:
Back around 1978 or 1979, we were camped around 8000 feet in the Sierra and swimming in 
a lake.  Cumulus clouds appeared over the horizon and about 25 minutes later we were in a serious
hail storm.  We exited the lake and made our way to camp for shelter.  The ice-filled water covered our
barefooted feet to the ankles.  I did not panic - much - not having a clue about weather in the Sierra, 
but I do recall screaming at an occupant in our already zipped-up tent something about frostbite.  An 
hour later we were swimming in the lake again on that clear, beautiful July day.