Start Date(s)

[footslogger]

So ...given the mid June suggested departure from KM into the Sierras, what is the prevailing wisdom regarding start date(s) ??

Start early, hitch back to the KickOff and then jump back up ??

Start after the KickOff ??

Second related question ...just HOW slow can you go in the desert given the water situation ?

Thanks ...

[girlscout]

people can and do start anywhere from early april to late may... but in my observation, MOST will start somewhere in the april 20 ~ May 10 time frame. precisely when you start is mostly determined by your own "real world" schedule, your own pace, and how far on the fringes of the herd you want to be.

as far as desert pace goes, it varies of course, because there are stretches where water is a bit more available (generally in the higher mountain elevations). and it's not that you can't go slower- you'll just be carrying more food and water, which means that you'll be slowed down even further by the weight, and the extra exertion will cause you to get thirstier and hungrier more quickly, etc etc. so it's sort of a downward spiral. you have to decide for yourself, based on your own capabilities, what's do-able for you.

seems to me that it's more common for early-starters to just take more zeros or side-trips than it is for them to go at a deliberately low-mileage pace. don't forget, also, that most folks find the bulk of the desert to be pretty bland and uninteresting, so there's probably not too many places along the way where you'll be tempted to just hang out for the sake of enjoying the surroundings or take on-trail zeros. (and this is coming from someone who loves the desert! it's just that the pct mostly avoids good/interesting desert scenery in its attempt to stay as close to the crest as possible)

[chai guy]

Girlscout is absolutely right about the desert pace, you'll have to make miles to reach water, no two ways about it really.


I've made my case for starting early (like the first week of April would be ideal imho).

I'll just list my pro's and cons here:

Pros and Cons of Leaving in early April Vs. early May

Pro's
1. less people, avoid the herd (you're still going to meet more people than you'll remember).
2. More water sources in the desert.
3. Cooler temps in the desert.
4 Allows more time for injuries and mishaps.
5. Allows more time for rest and relaxation.
6. less suncupping, postholing and slogging through melted slush in the sierra (it's easier to hike over hard snow than through wet snow).
7. If you go and you don't like it for whatever reason, just wait, or hitch up to another section!

Cons
1. following other hiker's footprints in the snow will be more difficult (you shouldn't be doing this anyway, I got lost once or twice doing that, the footprints you're following might be lost too!)

2. There might not be "steps" already in place or they might not be clear.

3. It might be a little colder.

4. You might have to walk on more snow.