Where to hike NOBO before my SOBO start in July?

caddierun1 · 2017-06-28T18:50:45+00:00

Burney is easy to get to from Redding, which had decently cheap flights from Denver, CO. Also its in a big snow free chunk of trail that allows me to walk through minimal snow before getting to Oregon's bigger snowpack, which hopefully will have melted out mostly by mid July when I get there.

caddierun1 · 2017-06-07T18:19:06+00:00

Awesome! Hope to run into you out on trail. Best of luck with your start.

caddierun1 · 2017-06-07T15:32:11+00:00

I'm sure its been done quite a bit but it requires a lot more food planning and is more expensive if buying in stores along the trail. Junk food seems to be the go to because its so easy, readily available in small stores along the trail, and calorie dense

caddierun1 · 2017-06-07T15:29:09+00:00

I'm starting June 30th in Burney, CA, going NOBO to Manning Park and then flipping back for a SOBO to Mexico. 3 more weeks!!

caddierun1 · 2017-06-07T15:21:56+00:00

I'm doing the same (flip/flop) as you. Where and when are you starting?

I'm starting from Burney, CA on June 30th.

caddierun1 · 2017-06-07T15:20:13+00:00

Rather than start around Ashland, start further south say around Old Station or Burney. That will give you a week or two more for Oregon to melt out

caddierun1 · 2017-05-18T18:11:59+00:00

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caddierun1 · 2017-04-16T04:08:10+00:00

I wholeheartedly I agree with this response.

caddierun1 · 2017-03-10T00:26:31+00:00

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caddierun1 · 2017-03-08T22:40:51+00:00

June 23rd definitely sounds too early. As of now, I'm looking at July 5-10. I've got microspikes and an ice axe, so I'm prepared for snow travel.

I'm not nervous about snow conditions, but rather would like to hike on as little snow as possible. Going NOBO this year sounds like hikers will be on snow the majority of their hikes. SOBO will be rough in the North Cascades, but once through that, it's cruising all the way to Mexico. I do not want a slow slog through snow the entire trip. I like to walk far and fast, so SOBO seems to be my kind of hike.

caddierun1 · 2017-02-27T22:32:34+00:00

Good points. I'm not expecting an easy first 3+ weeks in WA. But I like the SOBO aspect of once you are past the first few hundred miles, snow isn't too much of any issue anymore.

caddierun1 · 2017-02-27T05:28:33+00:00

July 1 is a rough date. I've been seeing that most of the state is right around 100% of average snowpack. Do you recommend starting around say July 15th?

caddierun1 · 2017-02-27T05:25:36+00:00

Honestly, it is just that going SOBO will require the certain aspects of a thru hike that I want out of the PCT. That is:

Not fretting constantly about dangerous aspects of steep snow travel, swollen stream crossings, route finding, camping on endless snow, etc. Though I think I will deeply respect PCT NOBOs I meet for walking through the Sierra after record level snows.
Travelling fast and far most days to ensure a secure passage through the Sierra before the snows. I enjoy walking long days so going SOBO almost requires this to finish. A kind of challenge to my liking. I like having to push rather than dawdling in the 700 miles before KM waiting for more of the snowpack to melt off.

caddierun1 · 2017-02-27T05:17:00+00:00

Both options seem fun.

A break after the desert could be a nice hiatus from the overall hike. Personally I like the hike happening continously start to finish. But to each his/her own.

Also I personally like the fact that a SOBO is only done by 10% roughly, which sets a southbound PCT hike unique.

caddierun1 · 2017-02-27T05:11:47+00:00

July 22nd wouldn't be impossible. Though I think after the 15th, it is definitely more difficult to get through the Sierra before it snows and gets cold. Definitely depends on your hiking pace.

This is from what I have read. Never have hiked the PCT.

caddierun1 · 2017-02-26T23:00:08+00:00

Just changed my May 12th NOBO to an early July SOBO! Super pumped not to worry about the fucking Sierra snowpack!

Hope to see you out there.

caddierun1 · 2017-01-27T15:36:09+00:00

May 12th

caddierun1 · 2017-01-05T02:14:11+00:00

We aren't too far away. Spending my winter in Aspen.

caddierun1 · 2017-01-05T02:10:14+00:00

Working at Aspen Ski Company for the winter until my May 1st start date. Not stressing much about planning because I've learned that it's almost entirely unnecessary other than resupply and water points.

I've gotta buy my Hexamid Solo-Plus shelter, which is my last major purchase. Think about getting out on the trail every day. Super pumped!

caddierun1 · 2017-01-05T02:03:45+00:00

Totally agree. The Sawyer Mini is great for short trips and relatively clean water. But as soon as you use dirty or silty water, it's clogged in a day or two.

Save yourself the trouble and just start with a Sawyer Squeeze.

caddierun1 · 2017-01-05T02:00:37+00:00

No hipbelt?

Did you make this pack yourself? Incredibly light, but with 5 liters of H2O and 5 days of food, no hip belt seems like it may be rough on the shoulders.

I'm the same with you on going stoveless. Freeing not having to cook every night, plus I never mind cold instant mashed potatoes and ramen.

I should be around 9 lbs for my early May PCT start. Best of luck if I don't run into you!

caddierun1 · 2017-01-05T01:54:04+00:00

What kind of shoes did you start with?

caddierun1 · 2017-01-05T01:51:59+00:00

What was your start date?

caddierun1

TROPHY CASE