[pct-l] Saw a scary picture... Need some reassurance...

[Brick Robbins]

On Mon, May 31, 2010 at 4:27 AM, Rebekah David <rebekahedavid at gmail.com> wrote:
> I just came across THIS PICTURE (enlarge to X3 to see detail)
> <http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/1700891#83684682_g5HZr-A-LB>and I sorta
> panicked...  I

This is Mather Pass. If you look at the pic in this link, right before
the one you are worried about

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/1700891#83685614_QJrje

you can see the trail up the pass, because it is highlighted with snow
(the straight white lines)

In early season, much of the trail over the passes is covered in snow.
This hiker is ignoring the trail tread, probably because of the snow,
and is going straight up the scree instead of following the trail.
Some folks prefer walking on snow, some on rocks. A thin layer of
crusty snow over rocks like this can be a problem when you break
through into the rocks underneath.

You just have to improvise.