[pct-l] Southbound

Thu Nov 29 00:17:14 CST 2012

Thank you Shon. That's great information.

Randy

________________________________
 From: shon mcganty <smcganty at yahoo.com>
To: Randy Godfrey <randy3833 at yahoo.com>; Rachel Gescheidle <rachel.gescheidle at gmail.com>; "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 3:29 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Southbound

Randy, 

For a normal snow year, starting a SOBO hike from June 15th - June 20th is a normal start date.  Yes, there will be snow, but it's manageable.  I'm from WA, and late June and early July hiking on most trails (read: heavily forested trails) in WA are hard trails to navigate when under snow (either due to heavily forested trails or very steep terrain).  

But the PCT, when under snow, isn't as bad, because it's more open to the sun along hillsides (openness facilitates snow melt, plus it's easy to see a trail's location and direction when the trail is open, on a ridge, or along a hillside).

However, recent years has meant that a June start date is way to early.  Of all time, the record for top 4 latest snow melting has been:  2012, 2011, 2008, and 1999.  That's using Steven's Pass as a location.  I did a SOBO hike in 2008 (at the time it was #1 for late season snow melt), and I delayed my start date from June 20th to July 13th.  I still dealt with miles of snow covered trail, which, for most days, meant awesome hiking, albeit lots of snow, constant wet feet, less miles, and tiresome.  There was one day, a foggy, cloudy, and raining day, where I couldn't find the trail repeatedly, couldn't see anything but all white around me, and I got lost (using a definition of "lost" to be I wasn't on the trail and didn't know exactly where it was) 20-25 times.  That was a hellacious day, but now, it's all great memories.

 Advice for any SOBO; if, while in the planning stages of your adventure, you choose a start date in late June, be willing to change the start date if WA gets another large snow load or cool spring.  I'f read and heard stories of hikers during these last 3-4 yrs starting in late June and quitting with a few days because of unsafe and extremely difficult snow conditions.
Also, I wouldn't worry too much about finishing in time in California.  Hike steady (ave. 25-30 miles a day when you get in really good shape is possible for most thru hikers) and don't lolly gag in town.  Don't take those 2-3 days off at each town.  Get in town, take a day off once in a while, but get food and get out and keep going at a constant and steady pace, what ever your body allows.  

From: Randy Godfrey <randy3833 at yahoo.com>
To: Rachel Gescheidle <rachel.gescheidle at gmail.com>; "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 7:17 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Southbound

Hi Rachel,

I too was considering the southbound version but then thought about the weather here in the North Cascades in June. It's usually raining here in northwest Washington until
 just after the 4th of July, but even then, the trails in the high country don't begin to melt out on "normal" years until mid July or later.

I don't have the thru-hike experience with a southbound PCT hike but have been backpacking in the North Cascades for many decades. The weather can sometimes be nice in late June but, wow, it's been a long time since that has happened.

I am very curious about hikers experience with this too. It seems like it would be more of a mountaineering trip, but maybe it's not that bad. It looks like many people have done it. Is it possible to leave Manning Park in July and still get through the Sierras before the snow falls?

Randy

________________________________
From: Rachel Gescheidle <rachel.gescheidle at gmail.com>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 12:32 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Southbound

Howdy all,
So I'm starting to plan this super early but no harm in that! I'm  
looking into a hike for 2014 and I'm looking to go Southbound. I'll  
have just gotten out of school and want to take the year after I  
graduate to do what I love - backpack! Have any of you guys  
experienced Southbound and if so have any insight on it? I don't want  
to have to wait until April of 2015 to get started (won't be graduated  
by April 2014) thus I've decided to start in Canada and head down. I  
know this means I'll have to go quickly to make it to the Kennedy's by  
October but I'm up for that. Everyone I talk to shuts down my SoBo  
idea and I just want to hear from people that it's doable so if  
anyone's done it or experienced
 SoBo let me know about it! Thanks
-Rachel
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