[pct-l] Snow Safety this April-June

[John Papini]

Hey Ned,

A related question:

A lot of folks say, “and if it looks too bad, just go around and then hitch back to hike when the weather has improved.”

Can you offer any advice about how one goes about determining if it is "too bad?" When I’m coming up to Lacuna or San Jacinto or Baden Powell, what would I need to see, specifically, to say “I should go around” vs. "let’s put my snow skills (or, in my case, let’s learn/test my snow skills) to good use." I know you teach about and are experienced in snow-hiking and encourage earlier hiking windows than Yogi et al, so I’m curious to hear your perspective in particular about universal red flags, if any exist.

If I haven’t already betrayed my inexperience, I’ll do so by asking any others if they’ve come across any trail journals that are particularly useful for getting a sense of what to expect through the snowy portions of the PCT? Anything that might shed light on trail conditions, mileage changes, food/water consumption, extra gear & where to pick it up and leave it, etc.

Thanks!
John

> On Feb 9, 2016, at 4:00 AM, Lisa Hlavaty <lisahlavaty.hiker at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Ned, 
> You mentioned before the "secret six week window "where the snow was consolidated and you can hike on that without Postholing, suncups and other issues.  How do you determine when that is each year?
> 
> Lisa Hlavaty
> 
>> 
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