[pct-l] 100 miles in early june

Tue May 19 14:07:45 CDT 2009

Hi, Alec!

The melt is happening very quickly, now. The creeks in the Tahoe area are very full and moving fast. 

I'll wander up to Echo sometime soon and give the List a report on the snow depth at the Chalet and Docks.

As I said to another "Alec," if you plan to cross snowfields in the early morning while they are still hard and get below them for the rest of the day, you won't need snowshoes, just be careful about slipping on the climbs and descents without an axe or Whippet pole.

Probably the biggest danger out there right now isn't the snow but is the creek-crossings. Since so many of the current Class is able to access the Net from their off-trail destinations, I'll post our recommendations regarding safe crossings in a separate post.

However, your snowshoe selection is a good one. Don't purchase a shoe that has its deck webbing wrapped around the peripheral frame as it will quickly abrade away and you'll be stuck in the backcountry with broken shoes.

For maps you sound prepared. The guidebook is a must, but you should have something that covers the trail routes out to the sides to civilization. For gps advise, since we don't ascribe to that style of route-finding, I would have to defer to Postholer or the List in general.

If you plan to stay on or follow the JMT or PCT, you won't be making the first tracks, however you'll have to decide if the tracks you're following are going the right way. Just because the "herd" went that way doesn't mean that's right. Always know your topographic route when the trail is under snow.

Mtnned

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: alec rieger 
  To: ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com 
  Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2009 6:54 PM
  Subject: Re: 100 miles in early june

  Hi Ned!

  Thanks again for all the advice.  I really appreciate your local wisdom and perspective.

  How is the melt progressing?  have you taken your first saunter up towards the crest?  i'm very curious about conditions.

  I just booked a my ticket to cali!  june 4 - 15.  meeting a good friend in LA and hightailing up 395N.  not sure about our plans as of yet, but we definitely have time to hike a nice section/loop.  lately been talking about one of your suggestions below - jump on either at red's meadow of tuolumne and hiking sobo with a stop at iva bells springs.  then again we can also hike north from tuolumne towards sonora pass and tahoe.  so many possibilities.  looking forward to more of your feedback.

  still think snowshoes are a must?  i've *always* wanted to own a pair and this looks like a good deal on a great pair.  any thoughts?

  http://www.rei.com/product/759866

  also, any map recommendations?  i have the standard JMT series which i used in 2005 as well as the guidebook for tuolumne > north.  any specific series i should have if we choose to head up to desolation?  what about GPS advice?  is there somewhere we can download sierra waypoints?

  as for route finding experience, my buddy and i have both hiked the JMT and many other trails around the world and, obviously, we both have some route finding experience.  but, i've always had a trail to follow.  done some backcountry stuff, but not for days on end.  i can see why you say the trees will be the biggest challenge. will we truly be breaking fresh tracks in the sierras at this time of year?

  thanks again so much for taking the time to help me plan this trek.  i really appreciate your advice and expertise, ned!

  -alec 

  Alec Rieger
  email: amr2192 at columbia.edu
  cell: 917-287-8785

  On Tue, May 5, 2009 at 1:44 AM, <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com> wrote:

    Hi, Alec!

    My advice for a 10-day hike in the Sierra in early June?

    If it is your intent to get better at snow travel/dry trail mixed route work, seek the high trails. There will be snow above 8 to 9,000 feet. I live in South Lake Tahoe and there is still plenty of snow in Desolation. Don't let this deter you, however, because with snowshoes you'll do fine and have one helluva good time. The real hazard will be the creek crossings and route-finding skills.

    If you'd like to minimize the snow while still staying close to the Crest, maybe do the Tahoe Rim Trail instead. Lower average elevation. Next select the Tahoe-Yosemite route. You'll still have to deal with snow, but if you do everything you can to stay dry (snowshoes, gaitors, wisdom) and know the route like the back of your hand, you'll do fine.

    Staying above the trees makes for easier route visualization, yet more snow on the north sides (south sides should be dry).

    Are you interested in Ca. or elsewhere?

    Mtnned
    ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alec Rieger" <alecrieger at gmail.com>
    To: <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com>
    Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 10:19 PM
    Subject: 100 miles in early june

      hi ned,

      i know from lurking on the pct-l that you live near the sierras and  have a great deal of experience.

      Just wondering if you have any ideas for a 10 day hike starting on  june 5 this year.  i see the mountains just got another dump but they  had also been melting out pretty quickly, right?

      i hiked the JMT in 2006 and i've wanted to walk tuolumne to tahoe ever since.

      thanks in advance for any advice?

      -alec

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