paul wrote:I do backcountry ski trips at that time of year in the Sierra, and what I use is floorless shelters. Currently a slightly modified MSR Twin Peaks.
I sure like the idea - and you have the photos to back it up. Very efficient, given all the other weight one has to deal with. RIght now, that's probably what I would do if I had to go next month.
paul wrote: I wouldn't take a real tent except for deep winter, and April is not that.
what is the difference in April? Potential snow loads or temps?
paul wrote:You can get plenty of snow in April, mostly early April. The usual corn snow window ( which is the great ski touring window) is the last week or two of April and the first week or two of May. If you are snowshoeing, I'd push that even later,
I'm still in the fence between ski touring and snow shoes - even though I am not really able to do the downhills people usually do the ski thing for, I expect the travel on ski with skins to be potentially a lot less effort than snow shoeing. If I have to go later to have better snow for the nsow shoes, I'd be looking at those dangerous stream crossings I'd rather not deal with. I've seen what that can look like in a report from last spring - here's
a photo White Forkabove Woods Creek, a mostly slow trickle year round, but not here in early June 2010. I really would like to be there before this type of melt kicks in.
paul wrote:
as you don't have to worry so much about bare spots and snow quality as a skier does. If I were looking to snowshoe the JMT - an ambitious goal - and had to plan the timing months ahead rather than waiting to see what that particular year is like - I'd aim to start the last week of April.
I should be somewhat flexible with my dates - I doubt I'll have to nail down the exact window until about a week or two before I head out west.
paul wrote:
The real gnarly thing you'll have to deal with is stream crossings. At that time of year they can be deadly.
You need to be prepared to detour substantially to find a safe place to cross,
and you need to have a tested strategy for crossing deep, cold, fast-moving water.
I'm curious what you're planning to do for resupply?
As for the crossings - I won't even think about crossing anything I woulnd't do in summer - another reason to head out earlier and possibly on ski instead of snow shoes. Got no problem with the detours either, although I know very well that in some places that could be miles, or not possible at all.
As for travel in general - right now I'm reconsidering the approach and am thinking of a snow shoe and ski hybrid setup, as I am not the downhill skier you need to be to tackle anything that would have me slide down faster than fast walking speed (especially with a big pack). However, you can move faster on ski with skins than snow shoes where the terrain is "typical" for the Muir Trail. Having ski and snow shoes, I could pick and choose what works best for the terrain. The weight of the gear increases, but I'd be able to choose the mode of travel based on skill and conditions. Ski would buy me more speed than slow me down due to weight I think, especially in the earlier part of the season (early April start - although even that may be too late for some of the lower water crossings - this is an interesting read
http://sfbay.wr.usgs.gov/hydroclimate/pulse.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ).
Resupply - depends on direction and how many volunteers I can find to meet me at various locations. If none, I need to get creative before the hike. Worst case one resupply around MTR or VVR would be sufficient, although not desireable. Packing things into bear lockers at various locations before the main hike may also get me some first hand condition check and let me do last minute gear adjustments. At Mammoth I'd definitely resupply at the post office, so that covers the northern half. Still too early to plan this in detail not knowing if I will be alone or not. Time is not that critical - I can do this over 4 weeks if that's what it takes.