[pct-l] A dilemma opinions/thoughts may be helpful - august locked in

Wed Feb 20 22:53:22 CST 2013

I suggest you continue on and do as much of Washington as you want to do.
Reasoning; you will be in good hiking condition, both physically and
mentally. The snow usually doesn't hit until the later part of Sept.  You
should have 2 to 3 weeks of good hiking.  Admittedly the first section of
washington is not the best.  You might want to leapfrog up to white pass
and go north from there.

Dennis
On Feb 20, 2013 6:41 PM, "Murphy Melissa" <black78transam at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I plan on hiking all of OR in August with my niece. My niece has a very
> busy summer planned after her graduation from high school so August in
> Oregon is it.
>
> Although we will be hiking together for the month of August, I would like
> to go a longer distance. I'm having a difficult time deciding if I should &
> if so - when. Here's why -
>     1) If I hike a section before the hike with my niece, I may ruin it
> because of "what if"...wrong shoes, injury, getting lost, etc. The most
> backpacking I've done has only been an overnighter which was about 10miles
> in and 6miles out.
>     2) SOBO WA starting mid June? sounds like there will be snow. Having
> next to zero backpacking experience, getting lost in the snow isn't one I'd
> care to experience.
>     3) NOBO WA Sept - again the snow thing
>     4) SOBO CA Sept - what if there's no water left (although this is
> meant to be slightly entertaining, it's still a concern) & the heat
>     4) NOBO CA in Jul - where to start? and there's no certainty I'd make
> it by Aug 1st
>
> Oh... what to do!!! What if I never have the chance to do this again!?
>
> I feel i'm in a bit of a delima and any opinions/thoughts on the matter
> may help in my decision. Plus, I'd have someone else to blame!
>
> The entertaining part - I have no worries when hiking with my niece. She's
> a girl scout & she knows all the outdoor stuff. I'll be counting on her
> knowldege - just don't tell her that.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Murphy
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Steve Rolfe <steve.rolfe at comcast.net>
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 1:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] SOBO Questions
>
> Snowfall in the Washington Cascades is a bit above normal this year.  June
> can still be winter in the high Cascades when a cold storm hits.  Summer
> doesn't really start in the Northwest until about July 10th. There would
> likely be snow on much of the trail in many areas requiring considerable
> snow skills and a gps as Splash suggested.  I would think one should have
> good snow travel skills and good navigation skills (plus very good maps)
> since much of the trail will be invisibly covered with snow.  It would
> depend on the weather in May and early June, but either the snow could be
> fairly consolidated in many areas by then making it not too difficult to
> walk on or the snow could still be pretty soft and there could be the
> potential of avalanches on steep slopes.  Depending on the orientation to
> the sun there could be both conditions.
>
> Steve
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sevenon7th at yahoo.com [mailto:sevenon7th at yahoo.com]
> Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 5:41 AM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] SOBO Questions
>
>
>
> Hi Pockets...
>
> I may be able to offer some insight.  In 2005, I hiked southbound on the
> PCT.   It was an incredibly low snow year in Washington State (not sure
> that
> the same applies this year... and it is early yet, we could still see
> significant snowfall before the end of the official "mountain winter"
> season
> here)  That being said, I left Canada on June 15.    On a normal snow year,
> that start date, would likely require snowshoes and gps navigation.
>
> In southern California, many of the water caches were maintained and/or had
> some remaining water from the Northbound hoards. Some were empty.   So,
> from
> my perspective, if one is traveling southbound, treat the water caches like
> an unexpected gift.  Don't count on them.     Most trail angels were still
> hosting hikers when I went through (Saufley's and Andersons); although
> there
> were some others that were more geared toward the northbound hikers and not
> available in late fall.
>
> It sounds like Mt. Ned has offered for the ice axe / orienteering
> training... that seems like a good option.  I used to teach mountaineering,
> and depending on where you are located, could be coerced into doing a one
> day training session if that does not work out for you.
>
> Anyhoo.... hope this helps.  Happy Trails!
> Splash
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: T.Rem
> Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2013 9:04 PM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] SOBO Questions
>
> Hi all! After completing my 2012 NOBO thru-hike I stayed in Washington, got
> a job, and started day-dreaming about the next big walk. Since I'm already
> so close to Canada I've been entertaining the notion of trying a PCT SOBO
> attempt this summer.  I'm aware that SOBO can be more challenging and I had
> a few questions I was hoping some of the good folks on pct-l might be able
> to help me with.
>
> I read that mid-June is usually the average start date- depending on the
> snow of course- any thoughts?  Unless there are some more big storms on the
> way (you never know) it's been a fairly mild Winter in Washington- this
> could end up being a good year for a early SOBO start.
>
> The water caches in So-Cal- can  I expect them to still be maintained?  If
> so, for how long?
>
> Do trail angels usually still take in SOBO hikers or will they totally be
> burned-out from the NOBOs by the time I come along?  Not that I'd blame
> them!
>
> Is there anyone out there that lives in Washington and who might be willing
> to give a guy some mountaineering and/or orienteering lessons?   I learned
> a
> lot from my NOBO but last year was a cake-walk as far as snow goes.  I
> started April 6th so I probably ran into more then the rest of the herd
> (especially in Oregon) but I'm not sure if I'm feeling cocky enough to solo
> my way through some of these Washington passes without some more
> experience.
>
> Thanks!
> Pockets
> pct-footfalls.blogspot.com
>
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