Post by speacock on May 22, 2016 20:16:21 GMT -8
**Passed on from email**
Hey Backpackers.
As the last ten years have brought earlier and earlier openings to the Sierra Crest I have become more and more worried about what will happen when "normal" conditions return.
I have feared that many folks would enter the Sierra early out of habit and expectations, rather than as the product of observations.
May of 2016 has brought that reality into clear focus.
At this time last year PCT hikers were reported from Kennedy Meadows Pack Station on Highway 108 and by Lake of the Sky Outfitters in Lake Tahoe. This was the same in 2014, with the Sierra opening unnaturally early. That is not happening this year. As opposed to "0" inches of snow across the Crest last year we have four feet at the top of the South Sierra and two atop the North.
Backpackers with early expectations carrying lightweight PCT gear will either delay and wait for open conditions, or endanger themselves entering the High Sierra. The potential for inexperienced backpackers to enter the Sierra improperly prepped for conditions is very high right now, prompting the following Backpacker Alert.
I don't expect a lot of snow to fall. In fact, I expect rain to scour more snow off the crest than the periods of snowing deposits. My point is that the conditions for the next week are going to be miserable along the Sierra Crest. These conditions create a special kind of miserable that mixes the worse aspects of warm, wet snow with cold rains all falling on top of a weak snowpack that sucks you down to your knees with each step.
It looks like a week of these conditions are now blowing in.
I anticipate that most PCT hikers currently in the Sierra will retreat off the crest, and others will require rescue.
FYI
As the vast majority of TW members are experts and the rest are really sensible intermediate backpackers, I send this to you as an advisory. I wrote it for the less-informed backpacking public who may be guided more by their expectations than the current brutal reality brewing between the snow covered terrain and the cloud filled skies way up high.
There will be little rain in the lowlands, just instability.
On the guide-front, I am slowly but surely editing the text of the draft North Sierra Trail Guide to finish quality.
As always,
Happy Trails!
Alex
May 22, 2016
BACKPACKER ALERT
Current Conditions:
Unstable weather conditions bringing snow and cold rains down onto the two feet of snow already on the crest bring very dangerous conditions for early season backpackers in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
All High Sierra Rain & Snow Forecasts
tahoetowhitney.org/content/fall-2011-backpacker-weather-trail-conditions-reports#7d
All Current High Sierra Radar
tahoetowhitney.org/content/fall-2011-backpacker-weather-trail-conditions-reports#7
High Sierra from Satellites
tahoetowhitney.org/content/fall-2011-backpacker-weather-trail-conditions-reports#6a1
The Objective Danger:
The conditions of cold rain and warm snow falling on improperly geared or skilled backpackers is dangerous and can be deadly.
The Alert:
DO NOT ENTER THE SIERRA:
Without proper Spring Snow Gear. REQUIRED
tahoetowhitney.com/Backpacking_Gear.html
Without proper insulation. REQUIRED
Without Full Snowproof Footwear. REQUIRED.
Without the ability to navigate great lengths and climb across great altitudes over wet, soft snow following the line of a deeply buried trail through very poor conditions. REQUIRED
Navigation Intro
tahoetowhitney.com/skills/High_Sierra_Backpacking_Navigation.html
STANDARDS of TRAVEL
The current weather conditions and the precipation expected over the next seven days along the Sierra Crest indicate only those prepared to endure storms of wet snow and cold rain along the Sierra Crest be up there right now.
Cold rains falling on snow-covered terrain are miserable conditions to travel through, even when fully and properly geared. I have done it many times. They are dangerous and potentially deadly for hikers not properly prepared.
BACKPACKING VIDEOS
Cold Rains, Snow, and Hail on the Sierra Crestline during early Summer.
Rain and Hail in July
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M9WQbKeK9o
Cold Snow in July
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsiGOj6tTDc
THE TAKAWAY
The Sierra Crest is NOWHERE near SUMMER CONDITIONS.
NO HIKERS SHOULD ENTER THE CRESTLINE TRAILS WITHOUT FULL SPRING GEAR.
Anyone entering the Sierras with lightweight gear, light insulation, sandals, a tarp and no tent at this point in time is flat out CRAZY. Anyone entering the Sierra in such status will either run out of the mountains or have to be dragged out.
You will suffer in either case.
DON'T BE FOOLISH
Don't be that fool. Inform yourself of the dangers. Properly gear and train yourself for them before engaging the High Sierra Trails, especially during the vagaries of Spring.
END OF ALERT
PS:
I need scouting reports!
Tell me what you see...
A.
--
Alex Wierbinski
Tahoe to Whitney
Crown Jewel of the Pacific Crest Trail
Your guide to the Tahoe to Yosemite, Pacific Crest, John Muir,
and other trail routes between Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney.
TahoetoWhitney.Com
High Sierra Trail Guide
TahoetoWhitney.Org
Backpacker’s Forum
TahoetoWhitney
YouTube Channel
Hey Backpackers.
As the last ten years have brought earlier and earlier openings to the Sierra Crest I have become more and more worried about what will happen when "normal" conditions return.
I have feared that many folks would enter the Sierra early out of habit and expectations, rather than as the product of observations.
May of 2016 has brought that reality into clear focus.
At this time last year PCT hikers were reported from Kennedy Meadows Pack Station on Highway 108 and by Lake of the Sky Outfitters in Lake Tahoe. This was the same in 2014, with the Sierra opening unnaturally early. That is not happening this year. As opposed to "0" inches of snow across the Crest last year we have four feet at the top of the South Sierra and two atop the North.
Backpackers with early expectations carrying lightweight PCT gear will either delay and wait for open conditions, or endanger themselves entering the High Sierra. The potential for inexperienced backpackers to enter the Sierra improperly prepped for conditions is very high right now, prompting the following Backpacker Alert.
I don't expect a lot of snow to fall. In fact, I expect rain to scour more snow off the crest than the periods of snowing deposits. My point is that the conditions for the next week are going to be miserable along the Sierra Crest. These conditions create a special kind of miserable that mixes the worse aspects of warm, wet snow with cold rains all falling on top of a weak snowpack that sucks you down to your knees with each step.
It looks like a week of these conditions are now blowing in.
I anticipate that most PCT hikers currently in the Sierra will retreat off the crest, and others will require rescue.
FYI
As the vast majority of TW members are experts and the rest are really sensible intermediate backpackers, I send this to you as an advisory. I wrote it for the less-informed backpacking public who may be guided more by their expectations than the current brutal reality brewing between the snow covered terrain and the cloud filled skies way up high.
There will be little rain in the lowlands, just instability.
On the guide-front, I am slowly but surely editing the text of the draft North Sierra Trail Guide to finish quality.
As always,
Happy Trails!
Alex
May 22, 2016
BACKPACKER ALERT
Current Conditions:
Unstable weather conditions bringing snow and cold rains down onto the two feet of snow already on the crest bring very dangerous conditions for early season backpackers in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
All High Sierra Rain & Snow Forecasts
tahoetowhitney.org/content/fall-2011-backpacker-weather-trail-conditions-reports#7d
All Current High Sierra Radar
tahoetowhitney.org/content/fall-2011-backpacker-weather-trail-conditions-reports#7
High Sierra from Satellites
tahoetowhitney.org/content/fall-2011-backpacker-weather-trail-conditions-reports#6a1
The Objective Danger:
The conditions of cold rain and warm snow falling on improperly geared or skilled backpackers is dangerous and can be deadly.
The Alert:
DO NOT ENTER THE SIERRA:
Without proper Spring Snow Gear. REQUIRED
tahoetowhitney.com/Backpacking_Gear.html
Without proper insulation. REQUIRED
Without Full Snowproof Footwear. REQUIRED.
Without the ability to navigate great lengths and climb across great altitudes over wet, soft snow following the line of a deeply buried trail through very poor conditions. REQUIRED
Navigation Intro
tahoetowhitney.com/skills/High_Sierra_Backpacking_Navigation.html
STANDARDS of TRAVEL
The current weather conditions and the precipation expected over the next seven days along the Sierra Crest indicate only those prepared to endure storms of wet snow and cold rain along the Sierra Crest be up there right now.
Cold rains falling on snow-covered terrain are miserable conditions to travel through, even when fully and properly geared. I have done it many times. They are dangerous and potentially deadly for hikers not properly prepared.
BACKPACKING VIDEOS
Cold Rains, Snow, and Hail on the Sierra Crestline during early Summer.
Rain and Hail in July
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M9WQbKeK9o
Cold Snow in July
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsiGOj6tTDc
THE TAKAWAY
The Sierra Crest is NOWHERE near SUMMER CONDITIONS.
NO HIKERS SHOULD ENTER THE CRESTLINE TRAILS WITHOUT FULL SPRING GEAR.
Anyone entering the Sierras with lightweight gear, light insulation, sandals, a tarp and no tent at this point in time is flat out CRAZY. Anyone entering the Sierra in such status will either run out of the mountains or have to be dragged out.
You will suffer in either case.
DON'T BE FOOLISH
Don't be that fool. Inform yourself of the dangers. Properly gear and train yourself for them before engaging the High Sierra Trails, especially during the vagaries of Spring.
END OF ALERT
PS:
I need scouting reports!
Tell me what you see...
A.
--
Alex Wierbinski
Tahoe to Whitney
Crown Jewel of the Pacific Crest Trail
Your guide to the Tahoe to Yosemite, Pacific Crest, John Muir,
and other trail routes between Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney.
TahoetoWhitney.Com
High Sierra Trail Guide
TahoetoWhitney.Org
Backpacker’s Forum
TahoetoWhitney
YouTube Channel