#postholing

I recently ran across this overall winner from the 2019 PCTA Photo Contest and thought how appropriate this image may be for 2023. Ido Dayan took the photo while descending from Forester Pass. "Ran", "Slowmo" and Ido were "snow virgins" — we didn't realize how important is to get up early and get to the pass quick as possible. We went over the pass on May 9 around 2 p.m. "The snow was high and soft, and there were no footsteps to follow. That was one of the most powerful moments in my life. the combination of the incredible beauty with the challenge that we went through, will follow me for the rest of my life," commented ido.

Perry and his comrades are among the vanguard in the High Sierra this year.  It is interesting to read his account and see his photos.  Already these images are a couple of weeks old although the melt is really just beginning. You can follow Perry’s progress at: www.inspiretoseek.com

May 29, 2015 by Perry Gabbard  

It was a big day for three of us traveling together. We were finally going to face crossing Forester pass at 13,200 feet elevation, the highest point on the PCT. While staying at Kennedy Meadows preparing for the next leg of our trip, rumors were flying about the bad snow conditions. There were even those that said someone had died  while   climbing Forester pass. Some people left the trail for a week, hoping for better conditions. Others decided to bypass the Sierras completely and go north to return at a later date. Our group decided that without specific information from a valid source that we would take the next step and move out.

The weather seem to hold a very specific pattern. Sunshine in the first half of the day followed by gathering storms in the afternoon with some occasional precipitation. As we got closer to Forester however the weather improved to long, clear, sunny days.

Climbing the south face was challenging in terms of elevation but the only real danger  was at the top of the pass  where there was a large overhanging cornice and  a lot of snow packed in the chute area .  There were  some  heart  pounding  climbs  around and over the cornice but   all went well and we rejoiced at the top of the summit  for our success.

Now it was a simple matter of negotiating a large snowfield about a mile and a half long, descending the north side of Forester to our camp further down in Kings Canyon. It looked easy enough.

As soon as we began to take our first steps onto the snow field we realized we were in trouble. Two of the three of us quickly postholed one of our legs into the snow up to the upper thigh. It was nearly impossible to move or extract our legs leading to very concerned conversation between us all. After some time and slow movements of the leg and feet within the wet hard packed snow we were successful at standing tall once more. But only for a moment. Every 5 to 10 steps we would sink again.