Leaving for a section hike on the PCT/JMT soon and feeling nervous

At least you'll die doing something you love ;)

"Any suggestions on how to use my last 5 days before we head out? My itinerary is Trail Pass to Bishop Pass. I live at sea level. I'm gonna die."

Trail Pass is out from Cottonwood Meadow. If you just drive up there in the evening and try to start in the morning, you will regret it. Instead, go up a day or two early and hang out. Sleep in and do some easy hikes, and then you will feel like doing it.

–B.G.–

"I live at sea level. I'm gonna die."

Go slow and be happy. Or Push and be sad.

Every year Minnesota friends do a hike with us. The Four Passes Loop in the Maroon Bells, Texas and Jackass Pass in the Winds, 14ers close to us, the CDT, etc.

We do about 10 miles a day, plus some significant climbing. They are in tune with eating and drinking, and go as slow as they need to keep moving through the day. "Rest Stops" are few and far between.

They do fine. So will you.

Rest to the point of boredom until you go.

Keep in mind that a lot of people started early this year due to recent low snow packs. Remember when Kennedy Meadows Day= June 1 + April snow depth (in.) at Bighorn Plateau divided by 3.5?

Secondly, lots of "Strayeds" on the trail. I imagine that reading a book and deciding to do the PCT doesn't prepare you for the challenges of the trail….

You have an order of magnitude more experience than most of those going through. Also, I have seen the pictures, it is hardly chocked full of snow. Surprise, surprise, there is snow on the Sierra passes in early June.

From perusing the blog of Carrot Quinn there was no snow on Whitney, very negotiable snow on Forrester, no snow on Kearsarge (on the 29th).

She is due to post again soon, probably with photos of Glen Pass and south.

I think you can remove snow from your list of worries.

"there was no snow on Whitney"

On May 24, there was a fairly high amount of snow on the Whitney 97 Switchbacks, which is on the east side. I saw photos. There were reports of a good deal of snow on the trail for the last two miles to the summit.

However, I'm thinking that it was new snow that is likely to melt off quickly.

How do you spell posthole?

–B.G.–

Thank you all. I have been anxiously awaiting updates to the blogs I've been following, including Carrotquin and Nancy WhyNot?!'s journals. I guess some people out there are enjoying it and not struggling too bad. At least I won't be crossing Evolution or Bear Creeks.

Rambling Hemlock just finished Forrester Pass. Some good pictures. It was dated May 28th

Going up a day early and getting some adaptation time in is a good idea. Failing that, look for NeoAir 40+, or Altitude Adapt

link

It is a nutritional supplement that actually helps to improve oxygen usage through nitrous oxide metabolism. Haven’t used it for really high altitudes, but I live at sea level and have had issues at 9,000 ft, and this helps. Proper hydration I think is also really important.

The snow is no big deal, you have equipment, you got this!

Have fun out there. Just don't read Carrot's day 37 until you get back and things will be fine.

Piper — you'll do fine. The very fact that you're nervous beforehand shows a cautious nature that will ensure you approach any challenges with a level head. (The idiots who get in trouble usually have no fear!)

Remember that the PCT bloggers who are in the Sierras now are hiking in running shoes and shorts. You will have crampons, long pants, and trekking poles.

As someone who hiked in VT, NY, and NH for more than 20 years (including winter backpacking) — crampons and trekking poles + common sense will allow you to tackle almost any terrain!

Go get 'em!

Thing is, north of Yosemite all the way up in northern California got those 2 huge dumps and another 2 or 3 good snow sessions late in the season.
Everywhere south has almost nothing left.

Here are some pictures around Roads End (HWY 180) over the weekend including Kid Lakes, the Rae Lakes and Clarence King.
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You will do fine, I just got off trail but not where you are going. Just acclimate and take your time, have a great hike!

Carrot's day 37? Is that the one where she does Mather Pass in the DARK??? I have decided that any time I feel like crying I'm going to remind myself that people can do this stuff in the dark of night so how hard can this really be?

I've got Kathoola K-10 crampons this time. Last time I didn't have crampons and I slid on the ice on Mather Pass. Thankfully some kid stopped my slide before I hit some boulders.

Hi there.

1. You'll be fine.

2. Crampons but no ice axe? If it's hard enough to wear crampons, I'd either have an ice axe and know how to use it, or just time the passes in the day for them to be warmed up and softened up. My one long snow trip in the High Sierra (ca. 100+ miles on snow) I used my ice axe all day every day, and put my crampons on three times in multiple weeks for about three hours (i.e. only when we were descending a steep pass first thing in the morning when the snow was still hard).

3. But really, you'll be fine. Lots of folks will have made foot prints over those passes, and it's hot and sunny out now.

Just an update. Everything was GREAT! I acclimated really well. I felt strong and happy. There was no snow on the front sides of any of the passes I did (I did not do Muir because I exited via Bishop Pass.) On the back sides the snow was manageable. The crampons were a miracle. I joked on Mather Pass I was going to get a tattoo of a heart with a pair of crampons on my leg.

Way to go Piper! You were in high country early in the season; I completely understand your reservations beforehand. Just great that things went well and you had the right equipment. Maybe give us a more detailed report later.

I did make a full trip report on my own website. I don’t usually promote my website, but here is a link: Trail Pass to Bishop Pass.