Blessing in disguise

imported
#1

Well, I was planning to hike the pct in '06, but I was recently laid off ( sh*t, yes!!, I mean no, I mean…:slight_smile: so it looks like '05 for me. I know this has been discussed before, but when I searched the forum I just got AT hits. What’s the earliest north bound start, and since snow levels are high, ice axe and… I was hoping early April if possible. I want to start early because I have to be in portland,or in early July. My scheme is this, get to Kennedy Meadows early, then hitch to Oregon and start heading north and come back to the sierras later since there is alot of snow anyway. Or get to KM early, and hitch to WA and head south. Since the cascades are having a very low snow year, whats the earliest one can start a southbound hike? I know, I know, the snow levels can change drastically in the spring, one way or the other. I’ve seen it before, the cascades can reach 100% snow levels in a month.

Cya out there.

gruel

#2

Why not just hike north continuously, and then hop off whereever you happen to be and hitch to Portland? Then, hike south. I was in Sierra City on July 2, I think. This might be more rapid than you’d like, so just plan on hopping off at South Lake Tahoe where transit is easy.

By the way, I think Stevens Pass got 17" of snow last weekend.

Suge

#3

Wow – that’s big news. Sorry about your job, but congratulations on your hike! As you know, my PCT hike is still in the dreaming stage, but when it happens, I don’t think I’ll want to miss the Sierra in the early season, even if it means dealing with some snow and bugs. I’ve been ski touring there in the winter, and being in the mountains off season, when it is just you and the mountains (and maybe a few other thru hikers) is something magical. But I can understand if you are trying to get as many miles as possible before you head to Portland in July. How much time are you planning to take off?

Kanga