[pct-l] Fwd: Saddle junction to black mountain road

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Not knowing the nighttime temps down on San Jacinto, this report suggests an 
interesting quandary.

We're assuming that it is not cold enough at night (as it will be in the 
high sierra when the thrus go through that area) on the mountains of SoCal 
to re-freeze the snow pack hard enough to facilitate over-snow walking in 
the morning hours, thus the post-holing Franz is speaking of.

For the most part, getting your mileage done in the early hours of every 
on-snow day is relatively "easy" because of the consolidated pack (from the 
warmth of the day) and the freeze-thaw cycles hardening the surface at 
night. This should be the case for hikers from Chicken Spring Lake on to 
Tahoe.

If the nights are, indeed, not cold enough in SoCal, then the going will be 
utterly exhausting with the wallowing and post-holing. Lots of energy is 
expended, muscled tried, joints tested, fluids lost to sweating, and 
patience runs thin. Eat and drink a lot! Don't try to cover as many miles 
through these conditions as you'd like. Cut your miles in half and double 
your food intake. Make sure you take in lots of electrolytes!

To avoid post-holing, we usually travel when the pack is frozen (early 
morning) and try to get to dry trail before it softens, say by noon (high 
sierra) or so. Otherwise, snow shoes are the only way to stay on top of the 
snow and avoid the fatigue and struggle of the wallow-and-post.

Food for thought...



"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Franz Lichtner" <franz.lichtner at gmail.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 9:37 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Fwd: Saddle junction to black mountain road


> Mobile Franz
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> *From:* Franz Lichtner <franz.lichtner at gmail.com>
> *Date:* April 11, 2012 9:24:41 AM PDT
> *To:* "l-pct at backcountry.net" <l-pct at backcountry.net>
> *Subject:* *Saddle junction to black mountain road*
>
> Not worth it Greg and I have been post holing up to our crotches and
> going very slowly, currently caught in this snow storm trying to make
> it to the road. We left Idyllwild yesterday morning at 830 and haven't
> gotten to the road yet, lots of snow covering entire trail/mountain.
>
> Mobile Franz
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