Re: Date range for first big snow in fall
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:45 pm
Dave54's September 20th date for the Caribou wilderness is not bad for the Sierra. I'd say that anytime after that date, you stand a fair chance of every storm being a snow storm (above 9,000 feet). After about October 10th or so, I'd sure pay attention to places to bail out. It's true that until about October 10th, the snow is likely to melt in a day or two, but it really starts getting chancy.
In my experience, most people start losing the trail at about 8 inches of snow -- that's not much. Although a fair number of people hike after Oct. 15th, I wouldn't recommend going out for longer than the last good long-range forecast you've got.
This has come up recently in backcountry NPS discussions because there's been several searches in the fall after people are overdue when it snows. I'd recommend:
Make sure someone knows exactly what route you're taking as well as contingencies in case of bad weather. That is, "if it snows when I'm here, I'll go this way...". Then stick to the agreed plan.
The person should also have the make, model and license number of your vehicle. And that you've agreed on a date that person is to call you in as overdue.
If it's a self-registration permit when you leave (often the case in October) also leave that information attached to the permit you fill out as well as the contact number of a friend who you'd check in with. Remember that even with that information attached to a permit, no one will look for you unless you've got someone to report you as overdue (or your car is found buried under 5 feet of snow in December...).
There was a guy last November who headed out and got dumped on by Red Peak Pass. Decided to hunker down -- not a bad decision, but NO ONE was responsible for knowing where he was or when he was coming out or what his route was. Bozo. NPS spent probably $10,000 on that (which is to say, you, the taxpayer).
Like I said, people do it, but I really wouldn't recommend a long-distance alpine trip after about October 10th.
George
In my experience, most people start losing the trail at about 8 inches of snow -- that's not much. Although a fair number of people hike after Oct. 15th, I wouldn't recommend going out for longer than the last good long-range forecast you've got.
This has come up recently in backcountry NPS discussions because there's been several searches in the fall after people are overdue when it snows. I'd recommend:
Make sure someone knows exactly what route you're taking as well as contingencies in case of bad weather. That is, "if it snows when I'm here, I'll go this way...". Then stick to the agreed plan.
The person should also have the make, model and license number of your vehicle. And that you've agreed on a date that person is to call you in as overdue.
If it's a self-registration permit when you leave (often the case in October) also leave that information attached to the permit you fill out as well as the contact number of a friend who you'd check in with. Remember that even with that information attached to a permit, no one will look for you unless you've got someone to report you as overdue (or your car is found buried under 5 feet of snow in December...).
There was a guy last November who headed out and got dumped on by Red Peak Pass. Decided to hunker down -- not a bad decision, but NO ONE was responsible for knowing where he was or when he was coming out or what his route was. Bozo. NPS spent probably $10,000 on that (which is to say, you, the taxpayer).
Like I said, people do it, but I really wouldn't recommend a long-distance alpine trip after about October 10th.
George