HIGH SNOW YEAR

LOOKS LIKE A HIGH SNOW YEAR!

How does a high snow year effect me?

A high snow year in the Sierra can be dangerous.  The Snow is a lot higher in the Pass so it is hard to cross.  When the snow melts, it creates fast flowing rivers which are harder to cross.   When you cross a river you must be very careful.  First, you have to look to find a safe place to cross, that is if you can find one.  Sometimes you have to look upstream and downstream and find the safest place.  Sometimes you may have to walk a few miles to find that safe place.  People sometimes make a human chain to get across.  Others use a rope.  Some wait for enough people to come and then trek across together.   Whatever way you chose,  the best time to cross is usually the morning when rivers are lower because when Snow melts, the rivers are higher.
I am glad I am traveling with a friend on the PCT.  We can both scout out the river and decide which path is the best.  My friend will use special camp shoes or river shoes to cross.   I will just walk through in my trail runners,  they dry quick and that will not take up too much time.  If you were to fall in the river, always point your feet downstream so you can push off a rock if you had to.   That is an old river rafting trick.  Before you ever cross a stream, you need to unbuckle your pack and also your sternum strap.  If you fall, the weight of the pack will not take you down and you can release it quick.  Snow has other worries, that is why you need an Ice Axe sometimes.  When it is steep and you need to traverse across, you need stability, right?   I have watched videos on this and this coming weekend, I will be actually doing a self-arrest on snow near Snoqualmie pass in Washington.
There is so much more to this trek than just walking in pretty scenery.  I do not want to talk about the dangers but you have to be prepared no matter what.  I have been in a state of limbo this week, just waiting for my plane to get me to San Diego.  It is so hard to be here mentally.  I want to be on trail every time I look outside my window and see two feet of snow.  Where is the sun anyway?  It is March now and nothing seems to be melting.  I have all of my gear,  I have my base weight around 11-12 pounds, which is good,  I have a couple days of food in my pack and about 6 liters of water to cross the desert.  I have paid all of my bills ahead of time,  I am giving my dog extra love and making sure Hubby is all situated.  We have been spending more time together and watching a lot of movies at night.  I love old films.  Life seems pretty good right now with the exception of the weather.  I leave on March 29th and start the trail early April.  I can hardly wait!