5/15 PCT Sierra conditions

[Hobbes]

Alrighty, boys & girls, one of the first PCT thru-hikers from the 2018 class has made it through to Mammoth from Kearsarge and has posted a series of photos here:

https://www.instagram.com/michaeldevere/

It looks like the snow has really melted. It's almost shocking how clear Glen & Muir are at this point. Andy and I are hiking from Piute to Mammoth in two weeks, and I'm beginning to wonder if there will be any snow cover other than at the very tops of Selden/Silver passes.

[Hobbes]

This couple turned back @ Forester and returned to Cottonwood pass:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi0mw0uFi6_ ... stus_bloop

These kids made it through from Kearsarge to Mammoth:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi4cREEHP0J ... -by=pagggy

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi4XL6tnhJt ... ail_snacks

Warning: Trail Snacks' blog is addictive - he should be updating it probably today: http://notabadplacetopee.com/

[Jimr]

My friends Leo & Cherry exited as well. Leo took a slide going over Forester, but managed to self-arrest with his trekking pole.

[Hobbes]

Yikes!

Here's some more: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi29Hk2lC-k ... ttrail2018

The 3rd and 2nd from last look like Mather & Glen. IMO, the sketchiest of them all.

[Hobbes]

Even more. There's a few in this lot that are really bright. Not sure if they're using a filter, or if it's 'pure'. What people who haven't been back there at this time of year don't realize, is the sun is only 4-5 weeks from it's highest azimuth. This sets up incredibly bright colors and crazy deep hues. (Maybe Dave can shed some 'light' on the topic.)

Ski season is (mostly) over, so there's not a ton of people, other than hikers, who have seen/experienced the Sierra in this condition:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi4XQyvFZVm ... igh.petrie

[Hobbes]

Trail snacks has posted his daily dairy with tons of photos from the Kearsarge to Mammoth leg. I like how he's realized you need to hike between 4am and noon. LOL

Also, considering these two are very fit, strong hikers (averaging over 20 miles per day leading to the Sierra), be sure to note their daily mileage.

http://notabadplacetopee.com/pctday51/

[freestone]

Nice shot of trout chillin at the crossing! and the lakes are beginning to thaw...