[pct-l] [John Muir Trail] Re: 2013 June Start of JMT [1 Attachment]

[Ned Tibbits]

Viraj brings up an important point about snow bridges:

We are strong advocates of early season wilderness travel over snow. The beauty is awesome and the snow is finally stable and avalanche-free (barring new storms on an old pack and sloughs).

One of the reasons to go in that “early” (April on...) has to do with the creek crossings. The sierra has long drainages that gather a lot of water. By the time during the thaw (can be during May or June) that the water gets to JMT/PCT elevation, there is enough of it to create a whitewater, foaming mess 50 feet wide! Not a safe thing to cross and this is the greatest danger PCT thru hikers face. Comparatively, the creek drainages further north of the JMT, say up north of Sonora Pass are shorter and have smaller volumes of thaw water to cross (thus, the PCT thrus really should try to get that far before the thaw starts!).

Ok, so the key in these long, sierra drainages is to select safe crossing points during the thaw or be there before the thaw when the creek is but a trickle (if it is open and not buried by snow). If you go in early, most creeks are covered by thick masses of snow we like to call snow-bridges. In 31 years of teaching backcountry snow travel, I have never had one collapse on me, but I have read about them happening to others, dropping them into the creek flow beneath, so you’ve got to learn how to assess their stability and strength before venturing out across them!

What does this take? Personal experience! You’ve got to know for yourself, considering your total weight and flotation type (skis, snowshoes, or boots), what thickness, temperature, and exposure of snow bridge will support you while crossing. 

Does a raging, noisy creek beneath the pack mean that the bridge will be thinner? Probably, so take a closer look or chose another crossing point.

Can you visualize the thickness of the bridge where you will be crossing from both downstream and upstream (to assess its thickness and strength)?  For my peace of mind, I do this always, especially if the creek has lots of open holes showing through the snow! 

If the days are hot during the thaw and the snow is soft-to-postholing, should I cross over on a questionable bridge or should I look for another, say in the shade? Definitely!

These are things to consider, but with a little guidance, training, and experience, (and no tolerance for being hasty!) you can fully enjoy the snowy backcountry and bring home the pictures to show everybody later!


Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
www.mountaineducation.org

From: Viraj Ward 
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 8:45 PM
To: johnmuirtrail at yahoogroups.com 
Subject: Re: [John Muir Trail] Re: 2013 June Start of JMT [1 Attachment]

  
[Attachment(s) from Viraj Ward included below]
 

Thanks, Ned! 
It's always great to read your wise words. 

Br, You might want to consider signing up to a be member on PCT blog where you can usually get up-to-date reports (and pictures!) from thru hikers and conditions along the trail just before you hit the trail. I also was watched the state reports http://cdec4gov.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snowsurvey_sno  which helped me plan in 2011 when I also had early season start on the JMT  (highest record for snow??). 

I was so thankful that I had my crampons. I used them often to cover the long stretches of snow-cupped slopes, enabling me to move confidently and with less fatigue. On days I decided to forgo the trouble of putting them on, I was self-correcting my footing almost every step, moving pretty slowly and  paid the price with swollen, strained ankles. Many PCT'ers traveling northbound that year had at the very least Microspikes. Also, my hiking buddies hated me waking them up at o'dark thirty, but they soon agreed that an early morning start on crunchy snow with crampons helped us keep our pace.
Though I only had ice axe a few times that year on the JMT (for precaution-never needed to self-arrest thank god!),  it would have been worthless weight if I hadn't taken a refresher class in how to use it. Can't stress that enough.

I also invested in a GPS, since navigation in tree-covered snow, was difficult and there weren't strong boot tracks from the PCT'ers yet (and some of their tracks were wrong!)
One of the dangers that Ned hinted at are snow bridges over creek crossings,which start to thin out (see attached photo)

Any way, just my 2 cents.
Viraj Ward
SoBo, JMT 2013







From: Ned Tibbits <ned at mountaineducation.org>
To: johnmuirtrail at yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 2:24 PM
Subject: Re: [John Muir Trail] Re: 2013 June Start of JMT

  
Both John & John are right, so take heed.

June in the sierra can offer an incredible hiking experience since much of the high country is still covered in snow, transforming the otherwise rocky landscape into a glistening marvel of beauty. There are dangers not known to the summer travellers, though, but they can be easily identified and carefully negotiated, once trained and experienced.

What to bring, as Dittli has once said, begins with awareness, is practiced with wisdom, and both reside between your ears! After that, there are some tools we wouldn’t walk over snow without.

After 31 years of teaching PCT thru hikers how to prepare for the “Realities of the Trail” yet before them (got to take off those rose-colored glasses, as exciting and romantic as planning a 5-month hike can be!), we’ve got a pretty good idea what “works” out there for them (since they need to go through the sierra on the JMT/PCT during a season of snow not usually desired for otherwise summer hiking). 

Yes, you can hike year ‘round, and this topic is about spring/snow hiking. 

Keep in mind that snow is slippery. When compressed under the weight of someone’s feet, spring snow (before of after the thaw starts) will warm and congeal usually into something that will give you adequate traction to almost walk normally (like on dry trail, that is, allowing you to push off your toes). When this footprint freezes at night, you can count on it being icy in the morning. Now, if you follow this track, your feet may slip even more! Hence, the need for hiking crampons!  http://www.kahtoola.com/hiking_crampons.php

Realize that it doesn’t take a big nor long nor suncup-ridden field of snow to give you opportunity to test the strength of your footholds. All it takes is snow or ice just under your foot! Everyone falls at some point in their mountain training. Even with all the training done in Search and Rescue, members slip and fall and get hurt trying to get to their patients. 

Just going over a small patch of snow across the trail while on a hillside traverse will present sufficient opportunity to test your hazard recognition awareness, give you the challenge of planning your approach, initial contact and boot-purchase test, maintaining your balance with poles (Whippet & Traverse), 
http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/ski-poles/whippet-self-arrest-ski-pole
http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/ski-poles/traverse-ski-pole
testing how hard you can “push” with your toes without slipping, and the ever-constant evaluation of general snow conditions sufficient to support your weight. All this done on just a small piece of sloped snow!

Yet, these mental evaluations and computations become habit after awhile, but that is practical wilderness wisdom 101. 

So, it all starts with the first patch of snow on the trail. If it is hard, it is slippery. If it is soft, you can fall through (postholing). What can be done to make sure you don’t get hurt out there? As mentioned above,
- learn how to identify hazards in front of you (above, on, and in the snow),
- use poles to maintain your balance,
- have a self-arrest device in-hand whenever on snow to stop your slide after a sudden fall,
- slow down and concentrate on your balance, traction, the support of the snow, and more,
- gain experience in dealing with difficulties likely encountered (instruction, skills, trips),
- know where you’re going so you don’t waste time and energy, and 
- prepare for the worst so you can safely deal and enjoy the best.

Keep in mind that summer trails are designed somewhat flat side-to-side while on a climb. Snow does not. Even snow drifted in the trail on a switchback will be angled, so you will need to get a good grip with your shoes to ascertain and maintain your balance and propulsion. 

June is a great month out on the “trail!” Prepare for snow, know how to walk on it without falling, carry and use devices that will help with predictable traction and balance, have poles to correct side-to-side tottering, and practice self-arrest techniques. Be aware that hidden dangers exist above, on, and in the snow pack in the form of trees, rocks, hangfire (winter), creeks, etc.. Learn how to recognize them!


Ned Tibbits, DirectorMountain Education
www.mountaineducation.org

From: John 
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 10:22 AM
To: johnmuirtrail at yahoogroups.com 
Subject: [John Muir Trail] Re: 2013 June Start of JMT

  
<br>--- In johnmuirtrail at yahoogroups.com, "ybbband3" <carstentb at ...> wrote:<br>><br>> John,<br>> Thank you for your reply. That boosts my confidence for this hike!<br>> One more question: would it be smart for me to bring an ice axe and or crampons? Do the PCT hikers usually carry these? Thanks again.<br>>  

There are others that might now more than I about what most PCTers take. I have talked to some PCT people that have stated they wish they had brought real crampons rather than Micro spikes or the like, as the latter have a tendency to roll or something- I've never used them. As John mentioned a Whippet is a good choice though not much step cutting is going to happen with a Whippet. Personally I wouldn't trust a Whippet for a dynamic self arrest, but it very well may keep you from falling far in the first place. To that end, if one hasn't thoroughly practiced self arrest with an ice axe, there isn't much point in counting on that tool/technique anyway. 

Another thing to note is your intended direction of travel. If SoBo, then you will be hitting the easier passes early on with (perhaps) little need for traction devices or arresting devices. By the time you reach the likes of Mather, Glen, Forester, there is likely to be well worn paths in the snow. Also, do to your expanded time frame, you have the option of waiting a few hours (or days) until the snow softens a bit before attempting passes if need be.

For me (but I do have close to 50 years of snow travel experience), the very minimum I would take would be trekking poles and boots stiff enough to at least hold a little edge in snow (not trail runners). Oh ya, and don't forget the gaiters! That covers the snow part, the stream crossings are another issue.

John
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