Kearsarge->Forester->Shepherd
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:10 pm
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are the trail conditions, as of Th-Fri, of Kearsarge, Forester & Shepherd. I had been watching the weather, and knew a high pressure system was building behind the late storm that hit Sun-Mon. I made my arrangements and split OC early Th am, and was on the trail by noon. Spent Th night below Forester, and Fri night @ the SP TH. (14 miles day1, 19 day2 & out.)
As for other conditions, there were -0- mozzies, -0- clouds, and -0- humidity. Oh, and -0- people (going SOBO). I ran into around 20+ PCTers over the 2 days, but I seem to be the only person they met coming south. Cheers.
What can you say? When the Sierra are "on", there ain't nowhere else like it. Photo was taken before 3 - I took the high route for a view of the Pinnacles & Videttes.
For all you hardcore XC guys/gals (Mav, Q, SN), here's a peekaboo shot of Harrison.
The last 400 yrds @ FP were straight up following the boot/glissade tracks of NOBO PCTers.
I "knew" about the cornice/field @ SP. I timed my arrival for 4pm, and the snow was just perfect to securely stomp through each boot track. 4.5 hours later, I was sleeping in the desert. A 1 hr walk back to OV road @ 6am the next day (Sat) through the desert was also pretty bitchin'.
PS, take extra water containers. There are already limited sources, so you need to fillerup when available.
As for other conditions, there were -0- mozzies, -0- clouds, and -0- humidity. Oh, and -0- people (going SOBO). I ran into around 20+ PCTers over the 2 days, but I seem to be the only person they met coming south. Cheers.
What can you say? When the Sierra are "on", there ain't nowhere else like it. Photo was taken before 3 - I took the high route for a view of the Pinnacles & Videttes.
For all you hardcore XC guys/gals (Mav, Q, SN), here's a peekaboo shot of Harrison.
The last 400 yrds @ FP were straight up following the boot/glissade tracks of NOBO PCTers.
I "knew" about the cornice/field @ SP. I timed my arrival for 4pm, and the snow was just perfect to securely stomp through each boot track. 4.5 hours later, I was sleeping in the desert. A 1 hr walk back to OV road @ 6am the next day (Sat) through the desert was also pretty bitchin'.
PS, take extra water containers. There are already limited sources, so you need to fillerup when available.