Donner party redux?
Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 2:00 pm
As many have noted, there appears to be a lot of European hikers on the PCT this year. Those with winter experience from the Alps region and Nordic countries are apparently eager to take on the Sierra in spring snow conditions. I noticed this last year, with perhaps the first northbound hikers in May hailing from Norway.
For 2017, there seems to be quite a number of people already at Kennedy meadows, the figurative start of the Sierra. This Swiss couple found out the hard way what happens when a spring storm hits the high Sierra.
https://www.instagram.com/with_a_blonde/
I had been casually browsing their instagram feed when I noticed they were in Lone Pine. As I started reading their account, it all suddenly became quite clear what had occurred.
Can you list the number of things that went wrong? Note that they had proper winter hiking equipment, including snow shoes. So why did they retreat? And what happens when you're not completely certain as to what your exit options are? As in, Horseshoe meadows doesn't provide an escape route when the road is closed.
Their story turns out fine because they're in good condition - even though they had to walk all the way down to Lone Pine. But what about everyone else stacked up behind? Who will make a mistake and try to go over Trail crest, Shepherd or Forester before these routes are cleared for "normal" travel?
For 2017, there seems to be quite a number of people already at Kennedy meadows, the figurative start of the Sierra. This Swiss couple found out the hard way what happens when a spring storm hits the high Sierra.
https://www.instagram.com/with_a_blonde/
I had been casually browsing their instagram feed when I noticed they were in Lone Pine. As I started reading their account, it all suddenly became quite clear what had occurred.
Can you list the number of things that went wrong? Note that they had proper winter hiking equipment, including snow shoes. So why did they retreat? And what happens when you're not completely certain as to what your exit options are? As in, Horseshoe meadows doesn't provide an escape route when the road is closed.
Their story turns out fine because they're in good condition - even though they had to walk all the way down to Lone Pine. But what about everyone else stacked up behind? Who will make a mistake and try to go over Trail crest, Shepherd or Forester before these routes are cleared for "normal" travel?
