[pct-l] Snow situation east of Rainy Pass not good for SOBO hikers

[Ned Tibbits]

There is still a tremendous amount of snow at Stevens Pass and it doesn't 
look like the winter is slowing down at all.

Yes, in other places along the PCT, Winter just came in late.

According to the long-time locals up near the trail in the Pacific 
Northwest, solid snow may not turn to patches until mid-July! Actually, 
those who live near trail altitude consider their typical "Summer" to only 
be a couple months long (mid-July to mid-September)...

Realize that the trail in much of WA is exposed on ridges or along steep 
traverses with trees nearby. If snow is present on-trail, be very careful of 
your footing. All it takes is a slip-and-fall on just a small patch of steep 
snow to slide you into trouble.

Although the trail elevation in Washington is far lower than in the Sierra, 
they get far more precipitation at lower altitudes. Most aspiring SoBo PCT 
hikers do not realize this during Planning. Most just look at the altitudes 
and figure the snow ought to be gone by Summer like it is in most places. 
Not necessarily so in the North Cascades.

Mountain Education is considering offering one of our Snow Advanced Courses 
somewhere between Monument 78 and Snoqualmie Pass this early July if anyone 
is interested in learning the skills and confidence needed to safely start 
their south-bound thru hikes, this year or next. Let us know what you think!



Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
www.mountaineducation.org
-----Original Message----- 
From: Rob Langsdorf
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 4:10 PM
To: PCT-L
Subject: [pct-l] Snow situation east of Rainy Pass not good for SOBO hikers

A friend of mine, who lives east of Rainy Pass, sent me the following:

Highway 20- Rainy Pass- is still closed and won’t open until mid-May.  It 
was a very strange winter.  We had very little snow until February, and then 
we got the entire typical season’s worth all in 2 weeks.  I’m still 
skate-skiing (Nordic) and skied a 10K or so loop this morning in Mazama. 
They will be grooming the ski trails through the end of the week/month. 
Having the ski trails still open this late is very unusual.


    This makes it sound as though the PCT through Northern Washington will 
be opening late.


              Rob
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