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| Messages 1 - 73 of total 73 in this topic |
apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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That's awesome.
I did the PCT in the late 80's, and remember thinking about what it would take to do it in the winter. These guys are making it a reality. Kudos!!
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perswig
climber
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Wild. Crazy.
Badass!
Dale
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EdwardT
Trad climber
Retired
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List off the 5 most major skills required for such an attempt.
Justin:
snow safety and avalanche knowledge
winter camping skills
winter travel experience
general thru-hiking or long distance hiking background
short term memory failure :-)
That last one cracked me up.
Those guys are badass.
Hope they get some stretches of sunny weather.
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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If there was ever a winter to do it here in the Sierra this is the one otherwise they'd be wishing for skis. Amazing undertaking.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Admirable, these are two tough men. But ohhh man, that's too cold for my taste.
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Hoots
climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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Yah, super capable, inspiring, and humble guys. I have had the opportunity to work with Shawn and the guy is just an under the radar crusher when it comes to these kinds of long hauls!
Sounds like the foot issues they are having to deal with were way worse than anything they expected- trudging through icy slushy ponds all the way through OR sounded BURLY!
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this just in
climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
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Hard core! Hardcore!
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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I can think of a lot slopes up there I would be verrry leeery of.
I hope they make it.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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The entire PCT community of nowadays could take lots of lessons on self-sufficiency & perseverance from these guys. Today's thru-hikers are a far cry from what they used to be BITD.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, or In What Time Zone Am I?
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^^^^ aint that the truth!
Nice trip these guys are taking! Sure wish I could be there.
Susan
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rincon
Trad climber
Coarsegold
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They'd be way better off with skis than snowshoes. Can't believe nobody's done a winter thru hike before...who's to say it hasn't happened for sure? Not everyone likes to broadcast everything they do on a blog. Pre internet days people used to do all sorts of things without hyping it up with trip reports and blogs.
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CCT
Trad climber
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What these guys are doing is amazing. No way that I would even try. Just to put it out there though - this is an incredibly low snow year in California, and except for a few notable cold snaps, remarkably warm. Are conditions similar up to the Canadian border?
Not that these guys chose the weather, and they obviously they prepped long and hard for this. But, I'm starting to wonder if we need a new category. Like, "climate-change assisted" winter ascent.
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Pretty damn cool. Stoked for them and best wishes for success!! My wife would divorce me if I were gone for that long lol!
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EdwardT
Trad climber
Retired
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who's to say it hasn't happened for sure? Not everyone likes to broadcast everything they do on a blog. Pre internet days people used to do all sorts of things without hyping it up with trip reports and blogs.
Considering the logistics involved, it'd be nearly impossible to do it under the radar.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Yep, it's everything you describe, plus lots more, Sewelly...
The recreation officer of the local USFS has described many run-ins with thru-hikers in recent years who are ill-prepared, camp illegally, leave trash at campsites, noisy & disruptive, and have attitude about it, too. Our town is a major stop along the way, and local vendors comment on the entitled attitude that many of them have regarding the amenities & assistance that is provided for them.
The AT descended to this level many years ago...it's really a drag to see the same degradation happen to the PCT.
Then again, a very similar kind of process has happened with climbing over the decades, hasn't it?
Sigh.
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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Did a tiny bit of the PCT this week.. ;-)
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labrat
Trad climber
Auburn, CA
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Burrr! Thank you for posting! Hope they make it in one piece.
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crankster
Trad climber
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Sorry...I hope they get snowed on! (and proceed safely).
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 9, 2015 - 09:28pm PT
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I'd guess a lot of the usual re-supplys and the occasional creature comforts are closed for Winter.
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MisterE
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Possible now, maybe? But that last 100 miles through the North Cascades (IN Winter) seems unlikely without crazy support...
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StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Just a short section from New Years this year.
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John M
climber
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ossible now, maybe? But that last 100 miles through the North Cascades (IN Winter) seems unlikely without crazy support...
They are going South Eric. They are through the cascades.
Shawn Forry and Justin Lichter are walking the PCT this winter. As you read this they are nearing Lake Tahoe, making their way towards Mexico.
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David Wilson
climber
CA
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Jan 10, 2015 - 06:47am PT
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That is a hard core endeavor for sure. I'm surprised they decided to use snowshoes at all. Seems like it would be far superior to use a lightweight back country ski if you expect any snow of significance.
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Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
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Jan 10, 2015 - 07:26am PT
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Crossing the creek at Evolution Valley is going to suck.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Jan 15, 2015 - 09:50pm PT
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Cold Toes
In recent years, it's become commonplace for thruhikers to skip the section of the trail that goes through my local mountains- they are the first 'real' mountains as one heads north, and can commonly have early season snow patches that are hardpacked, esp. first thing in the morning. Fuller Ridge, in particular, used to engender tales of fear & respect in thruhikers of yore. Nowadays...with most of them wearing Ray Jardine ultralight shoes...many just skip the section entirely.
They just don't make thru-hikers like they used to.
Though these guys have encountered pretty light snow conditions thusfar heading south, the Sierra could still kick their arse, just like the last few pitches on the Dawn Wall.
'It ain't over till it's over!'
Caldwell...or Jorgenson...or Berra
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
I'm James Brown, Bi-atch!
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Jan 15, 2015 - 10:41pm PT
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Snowshoes Thompson made this hike in 3 days, what's the holdup?
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 16, 2015 - 12:09am PT
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dave729
Trad climber
Western America
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Jan 16, 2015 - 10:51am PT
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They say the biggest mistake in any powerful addiction is starting or takkin the 1st hit!
To late for our hero's. Carson Pass! I think you can see the Mexican boarder from there right? You guys got it in the bag.
I have some unforgettable snow camping memories of shivering equal to
grand mal seizures and willing the sun to come up faster.
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dave729
Trad climber
Western America
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Jan 20, 2015 - 05:17pm PT
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My observation is real fun can be tricky.
But not always. And the view does matter.
Staring at the same view for 19days, even if its from the Dawn wall?
Ok why not! Of course a killer work load does spice up the same view
and make it appetizing. Alternately winter PCT attempts
also have a killer work load and for sure changing views.
TR
They made it to Highway 108/Sonora Pass, CA Sunday Jan 18 2015.
http://www.justinlichter.com/blog/
"We made it to Highway 108 today for our resupply. 1018 miles to go now. Almost under a thousand! The skiing has been variable with conditions changing by the minute. It looks like we have a good weather window to continue into the High Sierras. Onward into Yosemite tomorrow!"
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Tahoe climber
climber
Davis these days
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Jan 22, 2015 - 10:06am PT
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Much respect for these guys doing this trail in winter - but I don't think it's the first time.
It's my understanding that Ray Jardine and his wife did it a while back.
He outlines what it was like in one of his books about Ultralight Backpacking (sorry can't remember exact title.)
Apparently, he and his wife did the PCT going north, had so much fun they just turned around and went south!
Cheers,
TC
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Rosamond
Trad climber
Truckee, CA
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Jan 22, 2015 - 11:24am PT
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The Muir Trail was first skiied back in the 1930s. Why is this trip noteworthy?
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Jan 22, 2015 - 11:33am PT
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Well, it's ~2500 miles, not 212, for starters.
Had the winter conditions been 'fuller', it would be more significant....but it's still a pretty unique accomplishment (though not on a Dawn Wall scale). Like climbing, new variations on the various long trails are pushing new standards of long distance hiking. Even if it has been done in the winter, it hasn't happened hardly at all- this is still a noteworthy achievement.
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Pappy
Ice climber
Warren, VT
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Jan 22, 2015 - 11:50am PT
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Gotta agree with Apogee that the thru-hiking experience ain't what it used to be. I did the PCT in '81--no water caches, no trail names, a fair amount of temporary route, although a lot of No. Cal had just been finished in the previous year or so. No trail angels, formally, though I was at Etna Summmit, (the trail had just been completed through there, previously followed a temp route through Sawyers Bar, and you were really out at the ass end of nowhere. No one hitched into Etna then, it was go from Castella to Seiad Valley.) End of the day and a pick up roars up the road, slams on the brakes at the top of the pass when he sees me, and the driver leans out the window with a cold Bud (thru hikers can't be choosers)'Here.' All he said, and roared on down the road. That was real trail magic.
That same year a guy from NH started at Campo on Feb. 1 with x-country skis. I remember reading a journal 10-15 years ago by a SoBo who started late and actually hired Doug Robinson to accompany him through the Sierras in Nov., sounded like Robinson found that a lot different and more unpleasant than climbing. Then there was Flyin' Brian who 10-12 years ago did the AT, PCT, and CDT in the same calender year, actually 1/1-10/31.
Not trying to take anything away from these guys, but certainly a lot has been done in winter before, and I would be shocked if the whole thing had not been done before in winter, at least in sections.
Just pathetic that people don't do Fuller Ridge much anymore. We went over the summit of San Jacinto and then got hammered with an Easter storm on Fuller, got lost as everything was buried in feet of snow, broke into the directors cabin in a YMCA camp on the N. side cause it was that or hypothermia. (I guess it's no longer there, and the statute of limitations is done anyway). Got thoroughly lost--in the guide you were still pointed to a cross country route to Cabazon--hit the top of a spur ridge and saw trail that should not exist switchbacking, and I mean switchbacking, down into SG Pass. I think we may have been the first to actually descend the infamous N. Face switchbacks to Snow Creek.
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pcg
climber
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Jan 22, 2015 - 11:58am PT
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To put things in perspective...
They are going north to south. They started in Canada in the fall, which can be an awesome time to hike on the PCT in the North Cascades, this year especially. Fortunately for them winter weather didn't really arrive in the PNW this year until Thanksgiving, and then it left again and hasn't returned. By the time winter had officially arrived they were already in California and the Cascades were behind them.
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Tahoe climber
climber
Davis these days
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Jan 22, 2015 - 07:33pm PT
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Solid post, Pappy! I had fun just reading it!
I've done about 500 miles or so of the PCT at one time or another, and always wanted to get back "sometime"
Great place to be, whenever you're there!
TC
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dave729
Trad climber
Western America
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Jan 22, 2015 - 09:02pm PT
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No word from them yet after 4 days on the zig-zaggy Sonora Pass to
Tuolumne Mdws section.
I'm trying to visualize Benson Lake's riviera in January with icebergs.
The conditions report yesterday from the Rangers at Tuolumne say
they have electricity but no public phone working. But they also
say they do have email service.
Does that mean cell phone service is up or down?
http://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/Update-for-January-21-2015.htm
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
I'm James Brown, Bi-atch!
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Jan 22, 2015 - 09:53pm PT
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i found a toe up by mt lassen,
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Bad Climber
climber
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Jan 23, 2015 - 06:06am PT
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I think this hike is pretty badass. If you read the linked post, they guys had some pretty serious weather up north--lots of storms, looks like some frostbite, overall a hardcore undertaking.
Keep on truckin', dudes! The desert in winter will be sweet reward.
BAd
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rocknpow
Boulder climber
eastside
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Jan 23, 2015 - 06:34am PT
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Had dinner with them last night in Mammoth. Their spirits are high and they are making good time. Regardless of whether the winter conditions are weak compared to our "normal" winters, it is still challenging with the prevalent cold night time temps, terrible snow conditions for skis, and overall logistics since most outposts are closed where food boxes would be sent. They are having to carry much more food to last longer stretches. It was really nice to see them doing well thus far and I hope they make it through the Sierras safely!
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dave729
Trad climber
Western America
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Jan 23, 2015 - 11:50am PT
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110 trail miles (+/-?) Sonora Pass to Mammoth lakes in 4 days in
digit freezing January is fantastic!
And only 10 hours of daylight at this time of year so
traveling that far says volumes about their efficiency and toughness
in doing the sub zero bivy activities under the stars.
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Roots
Mountain climber
Tustin, CA
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Jan 23, 2015 - 01:22pm PT
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Isn't skiing the opposite of hiking?
Skiing PCT...is not the same as thru hiking it IMO.
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dave729
Trad climber
Western America
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Jan 23, 2015 - 02:14pm PT
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Absolutely Roots. Way harder to ski it. Manzanita branches reaching up
out of the snow to trip the dauntless PCT-Thru-Skier trying to get down
into the next canyon. Good lovin god! These guys are the real deal!
Done my share of making turns by stabbing/stiff arming upright trees and scrazzing over exposed rocks and down logs to know its kung-fu fighting
in the backcountry in this years conditions.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Jan 23, 2015 - 03:04pm PT
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And you oughta try skiing Jawbone Canyon...harder than sh#t to avoid all those damn ORV'ers, lemmetellyou.
Man, the criticisms of these guys are starting to sound an awful lot like the hairsplitting style arguments of Dawn Wall. Let it go, man...however these guys are doing the PCT, it's impressive.
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Roots
Mountain climber
Tustin, CA
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Jan 23, 2015 - 03:44pm PT
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however these guys are doing the PCT, it's impressive.
Agreed and it's their "FA" so they are setting the style for future attempts. My comment was not criticism. It was for clarification purposes...
If they stayed in snowshoes then it's hiking. Skiing is different. Whether it makes it easier, more difficult or is of the same difficulty is what should be debated.
Title says "First Winter PCT through-hike" - I don't believe that's entirely an accurate way to describe their adventure once they switched to skis.
Seems the ST community thinks that most everything that is said here is "hate" by "haters". Sad.
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John M
climber
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Jan 23, 2015 - 03:55pm PT
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I think what they are doing is impressive, but also agree that the skis put it in a different category from snowshoeing/hiking.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Jan 23, 2015 - 04:18pm PT
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It's not unique to ST, Roots...such is the nature of electronic communication. Simplified responses don't have the depth or context that take (usually) take place in personal communication. Doesn't necessarily make anybody a 'hater'...just don't take it too personally.
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dave729
Trad climber
Western America
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Jan 23, 2015 - 07:24pm PT
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It is worth mentioning:
when skis are needed its like having a cage
fight every few minutes then gliding for a few meters then repeating that total body involvement unlike summer time hiking.
Winter ski-packing energy expenditures are greater than "normal summertime hiking the sun out of the sky".
And apparently they did not take a rest day at Mammoth but continued
south after a quick resupply!
Silver, Selden, Muir, Mather, Pinchot, Glen, Forester!
Be safe guys!
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Pappy
Ice climber
Warren, VT
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Jan 24, 2015 - 10:34am PT
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I'm puzzled about the ski is different thing, too. Maybe it's just because I suck on skis and would choose snow shoes anyway, but just damn, from here to there under your own power is good enough. And I don't see how the skis would be an advantage going over the Sierra passes anyway, I remember them as being a lot steeper than something I would want to skin up (I remember Mather as being a little more exciting than I really wanted to screw with solo in early June, but you gotta do what you gotta do) and I'd just get killed skiing down the other side.
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dave729
Trad climber
Western America
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Jan 30, 2015 - 11:17pm PT
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 7, 2015 - 06:57pm PT
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(posted last Wednesday on Justin's FB)We just got to Walker Pass, CA highway 178! 2000 miles done now and 652 to go, but most importantly we made it through the High Sierras. As usual, they were incredible and breathtaking. Photos and updates to come after we get to town and start our food binge. http://www.justinlichter.com/blog/
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hossjulia
Trad climber
Carson City, NV
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I still can't get over how fast they are!
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Well, they're far from out of the woods, so to speak, yet, especially with
all this new snow. Those slopes going up to Forrester could be very nasty.
And I'd like to see them ski down the other side. ;-)
God speed, lads!
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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They made it to Walker Pass, right? That means they're out of the Sierra, for good. Nothing but So Cal mountains to deal with, and the recent forecasts mean that should be a slamdunk.
Good on them. Regardless of this year's conditions, they are kicking ass over the typical PCT thru-hiker of today's generation.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 1, 2015 - 10:11pm PT
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From Justin Lichter's FB:Shawn Forry and I hiked into the Mexican border and southern terminus around noon today, completing the winter traverse of the PCT! It's been a great and challenging adventure. In typical fashion we finished in the rain just like we started in.
Most importantly we would like to thank everyone for their support, encouragement, and motivation along the way. We couldn't have done it without you all! Countless times we would think of your comments and support as we were dealing with all of the challenges along the way.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Congratulations to them both.
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ClimbingOn
Trad climber
NY
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Very impressive and a heck of an adventure.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Awesome! Talk about hauling azz!
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Sweet. A long trip and logistical equation.
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Pajamas
climber
Wilderness, Home
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Light and fast and competence and vision meets good weather conditions.
The parallels to alpinism; vision and fitness synergistically evolving with ultralight gear...
A leap forward
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Very well done.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Wow...is that what the border looks like now?
When I did it, there was nothing but a tattered barbed wire fence that you could easily step through, and some remains of a decrepit building on the other side. Changes, changes, changes.
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labrat
Trad climber
Auburn, CA
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Nice!!
Well done!!
I plan to do the reg PCT someday......
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this just in
climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
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This really is an incredible feat. Congrats to them and thanks for the updates biotch.
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Pajamas
climber
Wilderness, Home
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Bump. I enjoyed reading back thru Justin's updates.
Back to when they were post holing for 15 hrs to make 12 miles, because snowshoes had been shipped ahead.
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Stevee B
Trad climber
Oakland, CA
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How dialed in are these guys now? Wow. Great job guys!
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this just in
climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
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2660 miles. Crazy.
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