2010 pct sobo

[naturejunkie]

Okay, so I was originally planning a NOBO PCT hike this year, but the timing just didn't work out. The timing is working out for a hike beginning in June or July, so I had decided to do a SOBO AT hike instead. However, as I understand snow reports, this may be the ideal year for a PCT SOBO hike.

Under normal conditions I would not consider a PCT SOBO hike. I'm just not a huge fan of hiking in significant snow, so I try to avoid it if possible. But, if I understand the snow reports correctly, the snow totals in Cali and Washington are creating essentially ideal conditions for a successful SOBO hike. So, now I am torn and am looking for some sincere advice/analysis from those who know the PCT.

1. Assuming the snow fall remains consistent through the Spring (especially in Washington) has the window for a SOBO hike expanded?

2. Aside from the isolation/loneliness/lack of trail culture, if the snow is Washington remains far below average, are there any significant drawbacks to a SOBO hike?

3. If you had this window (June-Dec), this year, what would push you toward/away from a PCT SOBO vs. AT SOBO?

Thanks all!
Chris

[d.o.c]

I have been questioning this exact thing i wanna thru this year but the things look like i have to sobo idk what to do ha

[Moose2001]

Hi NJ....can't actually say I've done a southbound PCT hike. Mine in 2006, and this year, will be Northbound. As far as "significant drawbacks to a SOBO hike", I think you've identified one of the biggest.....isolation. The year I hiked, we passed 4 southbounders. 2 were a couple. That's a long way, all by yourself.

Other problems? Snow in the Sierras. You need to keep a steady pace to get through before the snow sets in for the year. I wouldn't want to be hiking in the sierras, by myself!

Also....water in Southern CA. Going North in the spring, many of the water sources are flowing. Probably won't be the case going south. You could be packing large amounts of water for long distances.

Speaking of snow....yeah.....so it's a low snow year in WA. Don't for a minute think that means you won't be doing a large amount of hiking on snow! If you haven't hiked those mountains, you might be surprised by what you find in July. Also....don't forget the snow in the San Jacintos in southern CA. You'll need to get over them before you get snowed in as well.

Challenges? Yeah. Can you deal with them? Only you can answer that.

[Moose2001]

I meant to say......I wouldn't want to be hiking in the sierras in a winter storm, by myself!


My fingers always work faster than my brain!

[leaftye]

Water is a big deal. I would put together a good list of trail angels to contact so you can ask them if they would replenish or create water caches when you pass by.

[sbhikes]

Snow in the Sierras and Southern California in the fall shouldn't be a big problem for a southbound hike. Through October things are usually pretty storm-free.

Even though they haven't had much snow in Washington, I kind of wonder if "not much snow" means the same thing to them as "it's a sunny day." Anyway, if it really isn't much snow, then this would be a great year for a sobo trip because the creeks are high in So Cal so you're likely to have decent water in the fall.

But if you decide it sounds too lonely or whatever, why not split the hike up. Start where you would have been if you'd started in April/May and then flip down and complete the remainder after you reach the Canadian border.

[fiddlehead]

I hiked much of WA SOBO in 2002 in late July, early August.
There was still snow in the ravines (alluvials as they are called in the guidebook) that you must cross while traversing.
This is very slippery and hard in the morning.
I would carry an ice ax if I were you.

Besides that, you will have the occasional route finding problems when there will be patches of snow covering the trail in shady and north side of the mountain areas.

You probably won't see many people (that's a plus IMO) although I know for a fact a friend of mine who NOBO'd the trail last year but got snowed out in WA will be out there in July finishing.

I'd wear sunglasses. You'll be heading into it all the time.

I think it would be a great hike if you are correct in your assumption that there won't be much snow.
Not sure about WA but I know CO gets much of their snow in March/April so, it's not a done deal yet.

Good luck.

[Jonnycat]

Water is a big deal. I would put together a good list of trail angels to contact so you can ask them if they would replenish or create water caches when you pass by.

That's not being very self sufficient now, is it?

[leaftye]

That's not being very self sufficient now, is it?

Haven't been to Socal in the fall have you?

[Jonnycat]

Sorry leafy, I'm not going to argue with your strawman.

[TBevan]

We're (my gf and I) going southbound this year. You won't be entirely alone!
We'll be leaving around the 15th of June.

Shoot me an email if you want.
ForeignCarParts@aol.com

[TBevan]

Hi NJ....can't actually say I've done a southbound PCT hike. Mine in 2006, and this year, will be Northbound. As far as "significant drawbacks to a SOBO hike", I think you've identified one of the biggest.....isolation. The year I hiked, we passed 4 southbounders. 2 were a couple. That's a long way, all by yourself.

Other problems? Snow in the Sierras. You need to keep a steady pace to get through before the snow sets in for the year. I wouldn't want to be hiking in the sierras, by myself!

Also....water in Southern CA. Going North in the spring, many of the water sources are flowing. Probably won't be the case going south. You could be packing large amounts of water for long distances.

Speaking of snow....yeah.....so it's a low snow year in WA. Don't for a minute think that means you won't be doing a large amount of hiking on snow! If you haven't hiked those mountains, you might be surprised by what you find in July. Also....don't forget the snow in the San Jacintos in southern CA. You'll need to get over them before you get snowed in as well.

Challenges? Yeah. Can you deal with them? Only you can answer that.

Yeah, but how many NOBO's did they pass? Maybe enough to not feel so alone.

[A-Train]

Yeah, but how many NOBO's did they pass? Maybe enough to not feel so alone.

yeah but the window is so small on the PCT that you'll meet all the NOBO's in a 2 week span.

The wildfires in socal can be a serious challenge too

[TBevan]

I used to live in SoCal....seems that wildfires are a challenge to everyone and not just hikers lol
We had them come pretty close before.

[leaftye]

The wildfires in socal can be a serious challenge too

That has me thinking. With all the rain we got this winter, we could have a lot of dry grass and shrubs out here in the fall. Hopefully we get rain later in the season to reduce the risk of fire, and also to help sobo hikers find natural sources of water.

[naturejunkie]

Thanks everyone for your input. Right now I am waffling pretty hard back and forth. I think I'll keep an eye on the snow totals through the Spring and just give some more thought to what kind of hike I am looking for this year. Thanks again! Cheers, Chris

[TBevan]

Still going SOBO?

[bealjr85]

Add two more to the tally- me and my buddy are planning a SOBO starting July 5th. I hope the tally doesn't get too high... it seems like this year there's a lot of talk of southbounding!

[TBevan]

Harrisonburg, VA......did you go to JMU? I'm from Hampton and knew tons of people that went there.

Anyway, we're still on for our sobo hike....just bought our plane tickets to Vancouver and bus tickets down to Manning Park!

[bealjr85]

I'm from Newport News and yes, I did go to JMU! Great area to go to school if you enjoy the outdoors.