[pct-l] PCT thru timing for 2012

[PCT List]

Overlooking the irony of an April 1st start date (changed from March I
see), maybe Ned can answer a few questions that have been clearly
overlooked and need to be considered.

1. Does Mountain Education know what percentage of thru-hikers get
turned around in Washington due to early season snow? This is your big
selling point and I'll bet you have no clue.

2. How does Mountain Education address powder/consolidated conditions
on Mt Laguna, Mt San Jacinto, Big Bear and Baden-Powell in April? You
seem to have handily ignored this.

3. How does Mountain Education address certain April winter storm
conditions in the SoCal mountains? You've completely ignored this as
well.

4. Does Mountain Education realize that entering the Sierra *after*
peak melt when the trail is mostly clear, almost all the hazards
you've painstakingly noted have diminished greatly or are gone
completely?

5. Does Mountain Education realize an April 1st start date puts most
hikers in the NorCal/Oregon snow as well?

6. Does Mountain Education realize what an exhausting, dangerous
regimen they are trying to bestow on the average thru-hiker?

7. Last, does Mountain Education *really* have the best interest of
hikers in mind or are you striving to be relevant, create a market and
demand for yourselves, in lieu of promoting the *ease* of late
spring/early summer hiking conditions?

-postholer