Hello. I am currently in Agua Dulce (god bless the Saufley’s) and will be in Manning in a matter of days. Preparing for the northern Cascades, I am curious about a number of things.
1.) A roll call of who is also heading out of Manning in early June. Will I be alone or will I be amongst fellow hikers?
2.) Any locals who have hit the trail yet this season who may have info on conditions and snow? Any info would be very appreciated.
Many blessings.
Nightfever
A roll call of southbounders was posted on the pct-l this morning.
http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/2005-June/023483.html
Scott Bryce
Hey – We leave Ontario, CA on June 7 to fly to VanCouver and bus over to Manning Park. We’ll be hiking sobo on the 8th or so. Don’t plan to spend time in VanCouver, but could change our minds and at least stay there for a day. Rob’s sister was in Yosemite over Memorial day weekend. WATER WAS INSANE. River crossings would be treacherous. Was beautiful, I’m sure, but we are not too risky so are hiking from Canada. Respond to our e-mail; I dont’ know if I’ll get to this forum again. I’m just hunting around on the computer.
donna and rob (aka mom and dad)
Donna and Rob
Thanks for the replies everyone. I’ll be leaving Agua Dulce on Tuesday and hope to be hiking from Manning by Thursday or Friday. Happy trails.
Nightfever
This was posted on the PCT-L this morning, very descriptive and helpful.
Having just flip-flopped up from Agua Dulce and planning to start SOBO on Wednesday, I did an exploratory hike North up the PCT from Rainy Pass on Highway 20 in the North Cascades. Every time I’ve been away from the Cascades and return, I am amazed by their beauty (and often wonder why I left). It’s too bad that most PCT thru-hikers experience the North Cascades at the end of their trip (when they’re concentrating on just finishing) and miss the flowers and the good weather. And of all years, this is the one for a SOBO hike. The smogless views, the rugged mountains with their glaciers (higher up) and forests (lower slopes), the rivers, streams, wildflowers, etc – all this is in tremendous contrast to the desert of Southern California.
Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, until a few high clouds blew in late. Leaving the trail head (4855’) at 10:00 am with the temperature in the 40’s, it was an easy hike up an excellent trail into the basin below Cutthroat Pass. The 1st small snow patches on the trail appeared at 6000’, but were not extensive. Larger patches began at ~6700’, but the trail was easy to find and follow and most of this snow will probably be gone in a few weeks.
There is much more extensive snow coverage starting at Cutthroat Pass (6850’) and extending North to the ridge above Granite Pass, but there is still quite a bit of bare ground and the trail is visible often enough that it is clear where to go. Plus the track I made through the snow both ways should help. With the exception of the NE slopes, the snow is a foot deep or less in most places so should disappear soon.
The second “basin” North of Cutthroat (~6900’) is steeper where the trail traverses and, being on the NE and leeward side of the mountain, the snow drifted deeper during the winter. I did use an ice ax crossing this (since I had it with me) but the snow was soft enough (at 1 pm) to easily kick/stomp a secure platform for each step. With my tracks both ways (and more when I come through in a week), a trail “groove” will start to be formed that will make it even easier to cross this snow while it persists.
The only other possible problem area is the steep ridge South of Granite Pass (where the trail was blasted out) which has some snow drifts that are steep and difficult to get around without walking on steep snow. Until they are gone, some individuals may be hesitant to cross them, but, again, when the snow has softened, they are quite manageable.
I didn’t descend all the way to Granite Pass, but, even though I could see some snow drifts, most of it is clear. And, visually, I could see that the trail all the way to Methow Pass was clear.
I saw enough on the hike, that I do not plan to bring an ice ax with me SOBO from Manning. I have learned that shortening a trekking pole all the way and removing the basket, allows me to jam the shaft into the snow just like an ice ax shaft and, assumming your hand is close to where the shaft enters the snow, it is strong enough to hold you if you slip. In mountaineering terms, this is called a “self belay”. A self arrest with an ice ax(assuming you have practiced enough that you could perform one instantly) probaly wouldn’t help a lot in this type of snow (except for early morning when it is uniformly hard). Using a self belay with ice ax or pole is what will protect you. Make sure you collapse your pole to its shortest length and that you have practiced removing the basket (before your trip). It also helps if your footwear is stiffer than running shoes so that you can more easily kick/stomp steps in the snow.
Hopefully the other SOBOers who are starting soon will find this information useful. Take your ice ax if you want, but I think you can manage fine without it.
-Osprey
Nightfever
I’m currently (6/14)at the Dinsmore’s Skykomish WA home. I completed all the sections north of Steve’s Pass including the detoured part. It is all do-able, if you know what you’re doing. Ice axe is not needed, river crossing were at knee deep.
Nathan