[pct-l] Ice/Snow

Thu Oct 28 19:18:17 CDT 2010

Thanks for the good words, Scott! Banding up in groups thru the Sierra 
certainly improves safety and efficiency. However, injuries can happen even 
in the midst of everyone as in the case of Calorie's fall on Kearsarge Pass.

Our recommendation on the subject that Katica brought up about the need for 
snow/ice skills thru the Sierra really depends on the winter preceding, 
ambient temps when you're there (whether the thaw has started or not), and 
certainly what month it is. If you can avoid the snow and still have the 
kind of trip you want (straight thru, flipping, slow and easy, or 
as-many-miles-as-possible), then do so, but that is not usually the case for 
most north-bounders, especially after they make some friends along the way 
and want to travel together thereafter.

As was said earlier, you will probably have snow/ice along the Desert Divide 
(Apache Peak ridge ascent) up to and past Mt. San Jacinto and, later, 
through the San Bernardinos and San Gorgonios, even in the months of 
April/May, so you might want to be skill-prepared from the start. If the 
logistics of flipping around snow-bound areas is ok with you, then it is 
safest to do that, but it may cost more and take time away from the trail 
schedule perhaps making you late to Canada (another risk).

So, to get to our recommendation, based on the high probability that you 
will have some snow/ice to deal with somewhere or two along the trail, get 
the training, gain the confidence, and enjoy the peace of mind that will 
come from it.  If we have a light winter, no worries; if we have a heavy 
winter, you'll be ready, go straight thru (with wisdom, this time, from the 
experience gained from the snow training).

Crampons are not necessary, but some sort of traction control on icy/crusty 
traverses is. A certified ice axe can be a life-saver as well, just know how 
to use it through practice ahead of time on steep snow. Be able to identify 
hazardous snow conditions in front of you so you can stop, put your Katoolas 
on, and proceed, axe in hand, rather than assume it will be ok, fly out onto 
it (say icy/crusty side slopes), and take a fall. Snow skills, practice on 
snow/ice before you start your thru hike, will give you the necessary 
experience requisite for smart and safe decisions later.

"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

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: "Scott Williams" <baidarker at gmail.com>
To: "Katica Dias" <katicadias at optusnet.com.au>
Cc: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 4:26 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Ice/Snow

> Hi Katica,
>
> The snow was pretty daunting this year as there was not much melt off due 
> to
> an unusually cold spring, but lots of people with little or no experience 
> in
> snow, made it over safely.  A group of 5 of us banded together and agreed 
> to
> stay together over the High Sierra for that reason.  Thank you Mango, 
> Little
> Engine, Plain Slice and Smiles.  We had varying amounts of deep snow
> experience, but the added brain power, and deliberated decision making, 
> not
> to mention 10 eyes instead of 2 to find burried trail, I think was really
> important in having had a successful transit, and a really fun, if hard,
> experience.  Even if you leave Campo alone, by the time you're in the
> Sierra, you'll know alot of hikers, and hopefully have made enough friends
> that you won't have to go it alone.
>
> A great way to get that experience in a more controlled setting is to take
> Mountain Ned's snow training classes which he leads on a donation basis. 
> He
> teaches in the Tahoe area most of the winter, but last spring led classes 
> in
> the San Jacinto Mtns, just when the pack was in that area.  Everyone I 
> know
> who took them raved about the experience.  So that would be a good way to
> start and give you a real sense of your own strength and ability in the 
> cold
> stuff.  But hooking in with more snow seasoned travelers is a very real
> possibility.  Even Smiles, a Swiss skier/mountaineer, with 40 years
> experience, had decided not to enter the Sierra alone this year, and was
> about to jump to the Northern Sierra when we invited her to join our 
> group.
> It was a great way to go.
>
> Shroomer
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 1:03 PM, Katica Dias 
> <katicadias at optusnet.com.au>wrote:
>
>> I am seeking advice on whether snow/ice skills are realistically
>> needed on a PCT thru-hike.  I am comfortable in the outdoors, have
>> done other long walks, but as an Australian, I have walked in snow for
>> a total of 2hrs in my entire life!  I am drawn to the PCT (over the
>> Appalachian) for the longer daily distance and fewer people but I also
>> need to be realistic about whether it is honestly feasible to thru-
>> hike the PCT without experience in snow and ice.  I was, for example,
>> considering delaying my start on the PCT for a few weeks after the
>> traditional start time to try and avoid the snow, but am not sure is
>> sufficient?  If I am being too idealistic, I would rather know that
>> now, so I can go walk the Appalachian successfully, rather than
>> attempt and fail the PCT due to snow conditions.  Any and all advice
>> happily received.
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