I am hiking from Walker Pass to Sonora Pass (June 20 to July 25). I have at least 30 questions mulling around my head - all energized by apprehension and excitement about my first time hiking on the PCT.
On the AT, I never used a compass. I plan to take an orienteering course before I leave, but I am curious how often people use or need their compass in this section.
Thanks!
Sierra Summer 09!
Depends on the melt. Given the dates you have (Walker Pass on the 20th of June) and the current state of the snow pack, you’ll likely have only modest amounts of route finding across snow.
The challenge isn’t so much up high, above tree line, where you can see where you have to go even if the trail is covered (for example, the notch of Forrester Pass is obvious) - it’s if you’re trying to follow snow covered trail in the woods.
I can only speak to the snow hell that was 06 when I was glad I had the compass and used it pretty often from just north of Forrester Pass up to north of Sonora Pass. This is one piece of equipment that, I’d argue, is better to have and not need, than need and not have (along with the knowledge, skills and maps to actually make it useful).
Token Civilian