[pct-l] Re: pct-l-digest V1 #1151

[KBerger466@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/31/2000 6:21:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
owner-pct-l-digest@majordomo.hack.net writes:

<< Last year about June 15-20, I talked to many thruhikers about their
 harrowing ford of Evolution Creek [North of Muir Pass] and the incredible
 four-mile post-hole from Muir Pass north, past Wanda Lake until the trail
 loses altitude descending towards Saphire/Evolution Lakes.
  >>

That sounds exactly like the conditions when I did the PCT in 97. The 
northbound slog off of Muir was very tough for me -- I was dead tired even 
just getting up to Muir, and we finally made camp when we were lucky enough 
to find a  tiny patch of dry ground around Wanda Lake. I also saw someone 
swept off their feet while crossing Evolution Creek (Hint -- go upstream 50 
feet -- it's wider and shallower and calmer.) I just want to say that I 
considered those conditions very doable. Granted, I do like snow, and am 
comfortable with an ice ax, but I was also a pretty slow hiker at the time 
(overweight, easily winded). So I honestly think if I could do it anyone can. 
I thought the snowmelt traverse of the Sierra was a lifetime highlight, a 
great adventure, and one of the most beautiful things I've ever done. No one 
seemed to be making a big deal about it that year. 

I know comfort levels in snow are very individualistic, but I encourage 
people to read "Impassible is a State of Mind" on the ALDHA West website, 
about a couple who went through the Sierra when it was considered really and 
truly impassible -- not just four miles of snow near Muir Pass. That article 
really changed my way of thinking about impassible and impossible.

Karen Berger   
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