Читать книгу The Pacific Crest Trail. Hiking the PCT from Mexico to Canada онлайн

22 страница из 49

You will probably enjoy days of endless sunshine but, in high mountains, fresh snow can fall in any month of the year and thunderstorms can be spectacular. Despite the altitude it can get very hot in the sun but you must be prepared for freezing temperatures at night.

The biggest problem is winter snow. The JMT is best hiked in late July, August or September but most PCT thru’-hikers pass through in June or early July when there is still snow on the passes. Rapidly melting snow can produce high water levels in the many unbridged creeks that need to be crossed. Conditions vary from year to year. In 1996 there was substantial snow on the passes into August, while in 2006, a record snow year, there was almost continuous snowpack for 300 miles in June, together with dangerous or impossible creek crossings. In other years hikers wonder what all the fuss is about. Thru’-hikers would be advised to read the section in this guide on starting dates and decide, very carefully, the date on which they should leave Kennedy Meadows; section-hikers would be best to visit the area in late summer.