PCT Report 5/16

[maverick]

Sections: Central California / Section H
Tags: Snow conditions / Water conditions
May 16th, 2014
By: Ned Tibbits

Ned Tibbits of http://mountaineducation.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; called the PCTA office via satellite phone from the base of Forester Pass. He takes yearly early season trips to the PCT in the High Sierra.

Ned reports:
- Consistent snow on north facing slopes about 10,500 feet. It’s “hard and nasty in the morning and rediculously soft and slushy in the afternoon. Postholing starts around 11am or noon.”
- North of Tyndall Creek, the snow line starts at about 11,000 feet on south-facing slopes.
- On Forester Pass, the switchbacks are full of ice and Ned recommends climbing the rocks instead. In the chute on the south side of the pass there is snow on the trail. Someone has cut steps. There is “a minor cornice” at the top of the chute.
- There is very little water in general, with seasonal creeks being only a trickle. The larger creeks are flowing moderately strongly.