Hello all,
I've been lurking for a while, and have found this site incredibly useful in planning my pct trip this year. It's an amazing community.
thanks!
I am hiking with a friend who doesn't finish school until late May and we have just recently decided to head southbound – a decision largely based on a desire not to be in SoCal for all of hot hot June. Other appealing factors include a less populated trail in OR and WA, less extreme average weather (rain, temp, etc). I know water will be more of an issue ini SoCal, but water consumption will hopefully be offset by cooler temps.
After doing a little research, it seems that snowfall in the Northern Cascades in 80% of normal this year. We are aiming for a June 14th start date.
A few questions:
Any other SoBounders around?
When are you leaving?
Why south?
Other things I'm wondering about:
I don't have much (any) of experience backpacking in snow or ice and I assume at a minimum that we will have snowy / icy accents of the northern slopes.
Crampons, snowshoes or both? ( I will have an ice axe).
Right now I'm leaning toward oversized stiffer trail runners to accommodate socks and vapor barrier system.
I know it's hard to tell 7 weeks out, but does anyone have:
predictions for trail conditions?
general footwear ideas?
thanks!
