[at-l] 118 days to go...

[Michael Henderson <mhat92@tidepool.com>]

<sigh>  springer fever hits hard when all your buddies get to leave before
you do.  thought i'd update y'all on the impending southbond pct hike.  i
sent the following to the pct-l, but have added [comments] for the
pct-challenged here on at-l...

this year's snow depths (both cascades [very, very high] and sierras [low])
have prompted an interesting change in itinerary, which i am really excited
about:

we're going to start june 20 at walker pass [southern sierras, about 100
south of mt. whitney], hike through the (relatively snow free) southern and
central sierra to sonora pass [70 miles north of yosemite], just behind the
main flux of thru-hikers.  then we'll bus up to manning [canadian border],
and start south at the end of july, doing washington in aug, big party with
the northbounders at cascade locks [or/wa border], oregon in sept, getting
back down to sonora end of oct.  then, resume southbound at walker pass to
finish early to mid december.

i like this plan a lot.  it gives us up to six months walking time, which
is nice, plus we get to do each section close to its optimal hiking season,
with comparatively little snow or rain to deal with.  i can quit worrying
over the snow (both on the ground in the cascades and from the air in the
sierra).  it gives us much more leeway in case of injury/illness/just want
to hike slower.  chances of completing the trail in one season while still
hiking at a moderate pace are much greater.  WE GET TO START TWO WEEKS
EARLIER!!!

aside from a little dehydrating of food, i'm ready to leave NOW!  

ps  a big, BIG thanks to craig and his pct planning program
[http://www.newestindustry.com/pct/pctplan/].   i've been using it heavily
the past two weeks going over scenario after scenario.  it is *invaluable*
in figuring out a flip-flop schedule.  thanks!!!

anyway, a hearty good luck to all AT99ers, the few PCT99ers here, and the
two CDT99ers.  this is going to be a great season!

i called felix' house, rexx answered and said 'still 118 days'...


mike
ke kaahawe, AT92  TYT94  PCT99
mhAT92@tidepool.com
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