Winter climbing - too difficult for a newbie from the East?

[bluerail]

I recently ran into a first timer on skyline, struggling and sloth like at 2200', after talking to him a bit I asked how much water he had...he said his friend told him to bring twice as much as he thinks he will need. I looked in his pack and he had over sixteen liters. I couldn't carry half that up skyline. needless to say, he turned around about 3600'..pack smartly.

[greatshaitan]

I looked in his pack and he had over sixteen liters.

Wow! that's a lot of water!

[Hikin_Jim]

I recently ran into a first timer on skyline, struggling and sloth like at 2200'... he had over sixteen liters.

That's 35 lbs of water alone (not counting the containers or anything else he was carrying).

"Take double what you think you'll need" isn't the best advice. My take would be more along the lines of get out there, hike under similar conditions, and get some experience. You'll figure out after a while how much water you need for what kind of hike. You do need to take into account those factors specific to Skyline (heat, lack of shade, gain, duration, dry climate, etc.).

HJ

[iSurfLowers]

I appreciate the idea of not bringing too much water. Who wants to carry all that weight?

In my experience as a national forest volunteer and quite a bit of time on the trail, I have never run into an inexperienced person with too much water. I have given water to more people (that were out) than I can count. Mr. 16 liter is quite the exception.

My point was that most people vastly underestimate the amount of water they will need when hiking at altitude. And as others mentioned, experience will teach you want you need. Until then (you have the experience), I recommend bringing more than you think you will need.

[bluerail]

Some people honestly dont think out "loose" advice theyre given....

[Hikin_Jim]

Travel light, I always say.



HJ

[adurb44]

Can anyone provide an update to the current conditions from the tram station to the peak and what equipment would be necessary to make it safely to the top? I.e. would conditions warrant crampons and an ice axe?

[itsasmallgirl]

I too would be interested in the info adurb44 seeks

[greatshaitan]

Can anyone provide an update to the current conditions from the tram station to the peak and what equipment would be necessary to make it safely to the top? I.e. would conditions warrant crampons and an ice axe?

Its winter, I would always bring at least micro spikes. Having said that I went partially up jean peak on the 23rd and didn't need them, or my axe. Snow shoes would have been nice though....

[lesper4]

I am sued to carryging larger packs for our trips so in the winter I make sure to bring everything , even if I am not going to use it.