[pct-l] Early Start of PCT in Sierras

Thu May 5 18:15:55 CDT 2011

Nate,

1) In the snow, don't expect to do much more than one or two miles per hour, depending on conditions. It is safer to go slow, maintain your balance, and be careful about your steps/footing. Once you start post-holing, reconsider how much further you really need to go that day. Plan to be off the snow by posting time and cruising on muddy, wet, or dry trail that at least you can see. A 15-mile day during thru hiker season (May, June, early July) in the high sierra is a long day. Average mileage is between 10 and 15 per day.

2) Leave the snow shoes at home and learn when and how to walk over snow. Get your miles done early in the day while the snow remains hard (before post holing). Plan to get below snow level by mid-afternoon and continue on with your miles if you must.

3) It is fair to say that, but don't count on it. Weather, including very cold temps. both day and night, snow, rain, and high winds, can happen during any month in the Sierra. 

4) Technical ascents/descents: the PCT/JMT is non-technical (meaning in at least my mind, ropes, belays, etc.). If your partner has the skills to travel over snow, cross creeks, and avoid falling on snow, he may be able to convey and teach it to you. It is not hard. Always side toward safety and be careful with each footstep when on snow.

5) Most trail signs may be time consuming to find, if at all (depending on when you are there in the thaw cycle). You may find some at a low or exposed spot in the snow pack, but not be able to follow the trail far because it becomes buried again. Know how to follow trail above and below timberline. Use a gps to fine-tune your knowledge of where the trail is, exactly. Remember, you do not have to be on top of the trail to know where you are relative to where it is and where you are going. Map and compass? Yes. Primarily topo map with enough detail to differentiate fine details in the geography around you and on your high references.

Mountain Education may be leaving Kennedy Meadows in the vicinity of May 18th heading northward, as well. We will be teaching a Snow Advanced Course for our students and going out Kearsarge Pass.

"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: Nate Shoemaker 
  To: ned at mountaineducation.org 
  Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 2:36 PM
  Subject: Re: Early Start of PCT in Sierras

  Ned, 
   I was just reading through the PCT-L archives and you're name kept showing up and then I went and checked out your website. If you don't mind I've got a few more questions for you as we try to prepare for this adventure and your answers to the previous question led me to more questions.

  1) What kind of miles/day were you able to accomplish with the schedule of making camp by mid-afternoon? 15 miles?
  2) Do you think it would be wise to pack the snowshoes(we're flying from Michigan) and then send them home at a later point if we find them unnecessary?
  3) Is it fair to say that through sections G and H we can expect day temps to be between 40-60 and nights to get no colder than 10? Is that too conservative?
  4) The ascents and descents are not overwhelmingly technical for a novice like me to be able to be coached through by my partner?
  5)I'm assuming due to the amount of snow that PCT flashes/markers will be hard to find and we should be prepared to navigate with a map and compass only with the aide of a GPS?

  Ned, I really appreciate this a lot, right now we are under-resourced in the area of what to expect so if you could help us that would be excellent!

  Sincerely,
   Nate

  On Thu, May 5, 2011 at 1:46 PM, <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

    Lots to say, here, Nate! How did you hear about us?

    We at Mountain Education routinely teach along the PCT from KM to Sonora Pass during all months except Dec., Jan., and Feb.. Last year we video-documented for teaching purposes (for our students and those interested in a Snow Guide to the PCT which we are working on) how to Navigate, cross the creeks, and ascend and descend all the high passes from KM to the MTR during the months of May, June, and July.

    That said, based on your experiences in related areas and sense of caution and wisdom you should be just fine out there. The snow is consolidated, even hard and crusty in the mornings so it is easy to walk on (bring your Kahtoola microspikes or KTS traction devices), then you start post-holing come mid-afternoon and things get really bad thereafter if you are still on snow. So, plan to get off the snow by then to avoid posting. If you can't plan to do that because of route selections, carry snowshoes or just plan to make camp early. (We took snow shoes last May and used them just once). Post-holing is extremely fatiguing and somewhat hazardous, so try to avoid it at all costs.

    It is very realistic to the experienced and trained to go into the Sierra on consolidated, Spring snow. 

    Don't forget your ice axe for anchors and self-arrest and a BD Whippet is something to consider, as well. 
    We carry and use both.

    "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: Nate Shoemaker 
      To: info at mountaineducation.org 
      Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 7:43 AM
      Subject: Early Start of PCT in Sierras

      Ned,
       You seem to be the man to ask about early season hiking in the Sierras. Let me explain my situation, my friend and I have about 6 weeks available to spend on the PCT this summer, unfortunately that time is early May to late June, and neither of us have a great desire to hike the Southern California section of the trail, although at this point it seems that that might be the only section we can reasonably hike due to weather conditions. Right now we are thinking of starting the last part of section G from Highway 58 on May 9th and hiking north from there, which could put us at Kennedy Meadows as early as May 20th. Both of us have done several week long hiking trips and my hiking partner is an experienced rock and ice climber, but neither of us have really done any mountaineering, we are young and athletic, but we aren't stupid and we know our limits and are fairly cautious individuals. Obviously your class would be ideal, but I was wondering if it is even realistic to try to traverse the Sierras this early? What type of gear are you expecting as necessary for the ascents and descents, are we talking full out climbing-crampons and ice axes? Also do you recommend snow shoes for the flatter terrain?

      I sincerely appreciate your time and any suggestions you might be able to make.

      -Nate Shoemaker 