Below is an email from Jeff Singewald. He is doing the PCT and has just completed most of the JMT section (he is at Red’s). Here are his thoughts on Ice Ax, Crampons and Footwear.
Mike,
First, thanks for signing my guest book on my PCT journal. Second, to try and
answer your questions I will share this.
The trailrunners will do just fine! I have been wearing trailrunners
throughtout the first 910 miles, including the entire High Sierra (thru Red’s
Meadow today, 6/26).
While you are right that your feet will be wet, they will be wet regardless of
the shoe solution and the trailrunners do dry more quickly.
The one issue I have been having with the trailrunners is that I have ben
getting a lot of small gravel in my shoes as I cross the numerous streams,
creeks and rivers. I would suggest a light pair of gaiters such as
www.dirtygirlgaiters.com. I had a pair that I wore for 700 miles but didn’t
think I would use them in the Sierra but I think thy would have helped with the
gravel a bunch.
With regards to an ice axe and crampons, I have been using a Camp XLA 210 axe
and ULA instep crampons. If you are coming southbound I do’t think you will
need either by July 9th. We will do Donahue in two days, so I can’t speak to
it, but the axe and crampons are definitely not needed for Silver and Seldon as
these are not technical climbs but simply long climbs. The same goes for the
north side of Muir.
With Mather, Glen and Forester I used my axe and crampons as the switchbacks on
both north and south sides were 90% covered in snow and we trid to do the passes
as early in the day as possible. With Pinchot, the switchbacks were covered but
I did not use either.
Keep in mind that I did Forester, Glen, Pinchot and Mather prior to June 17th.
My partners ran out of food just before Muir so we had to make an unscheduled
re-supply run out over Bishop Pass. When we came back over 2.5 days later we
noted a significant increase in the melt. Even so, when we did Muir we
encountered complete snow coverage before te first lake on the southside al the
way to Evolution Lake. So, while the snow is melting you will still likely
encounter snow in some quantity on all the passes.
Would I bring axe and crampons for July 9th departure; based on what I know as
of now? Probably not, but I do have quite a bit of snow travel experience. For
you, it al depends on how comfortable you are on snow.
I would highly recommend trekking poles. They will definitely help with balance
especially when you do encounter snow and they are mandatory for the fords. We
have been fording creeks that in past years I have been able to hop over and
this year we are in up to our waist. With the amount of snow that still is up
here the fords are still going to be an issue at the time of your trip.
So, hopefully that covers it. Sure hope you enjoy your trip as much s I have!
Jeff Singewald
Elevator
Mike O