[pct-l] Late Start 2014

[Diane Soini]

There's no reason anyone has to hike the entire trail all in one  
season and no reason why it needs to be hiked only in one direction  
for the entire season. I think the perfect hike would start around  
Sierra City and go north then return to Sierra City and go south. So  
Cal is usually a lot nicer than people expect it to be so don't feel  
depressed about it.

On Oct 1, 2013, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> From: Michael Slusser <michael.slusser at gmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Late Start 2014
>
> All,
>
> So, with all the discussion about the dangers of getting through  
> Washington
> in late September, as I'm considering a first time thru-hike next  
> year, I'm
> becoming slightly concerned.
>
> I can carve out a block of time for the hike next year, but the  
> earliest I
> can start is May 16. I recognize this is late, but many guides  
> suggested
> this was still within a window of possibility if I were to press on  
> with
> determination. Now I seek the collective wisdom of the list to  
> chime in on
> the truth of that.
>
> As a note, I had considered going southbound, allowing for the  
> later start,
> but (a) I have very little snow navigation and camping experience,  
> and the
> descriptions of the Washington high passes at the start is rather
> intimidating, and (b) somehow the idea of ending up in So Cal  
> rather than
> Canada in October is depressing.
>
> Thanks,
>
> ~M