https://www.pcta.org/2019/changes-2020- ... mit-67718/
Here's the change that affects PCTers in the Sierra:
I interpret this to mean that if you are thru-hiking the PCT and decide the Sierra is too snowy and need to skip it, you will have to apply for a regular Sierra wilderness permit just like everyone else to come back and do it later. The stated objective (see the full blog post) is to "protect the area during the middle of summer". That is, to prevent overcrowding by lots of extra PCTers coming back in mid-summer, when all trailhead quotas for other backpackers are already pretty fully in use.Travel in the Southern Sierra (Kennedy Meadows South to Sonora Pass) must be continuous with no skips or changes in direction. If you exit the Southern Sierra to do more than resupply or wish to re-enter at a different trailhead, perhaps after hiking elsewhere, you must obtain a new permit from the local land management agency if you wish to hike in the Southern Sierra. Your PCT long-distance permit will no longer be valid for travel through the Southern Sierra as your travel is no longer continuous.
I think this will reduce some overuse in mid-summer, but will it lead to more injuries or deaths from PCTers who keep going in early summer of high snow years even when conditions are too dangerous for them, just because they are determined to hike the entire trail and are worried they could not get a permit later to come back?
-Phil