'Tis the season for PCT thru-hikers?

[Rob]

'Tis the season for PCT thru-hikers to transit San J Wilderness? I guess many started hiking north from Campo in mid-May and are passing San J now. Yesterday my trail overlapped with PCT for 1 mile, and I met two pairs of PCT thru-hikers. So far their experience included a heat wave in Anza-Borrego and and two days of snowstorms in San J Wilderness.

[Rick M]

We've encountered many on SAR missions in the last two weeks and from several countries.

[asabat]

Most start between early-mid April and early May, but some started in March and some have yet to start. Considerations in a start date, besides school and work schedules, are weather in So Cal, snow melt in the Sierra, and first snow in the Cascades.

[asabat]

SAR and PCT - there's much talk this year about hikers reported "missing" because they were delayed getting through the San Jacintos because of fire and/or snow. One hiker became the subject of a SAR search May 7. Thankfully, he signed an informal register at I-10 and the search was resolved quickly. The hiker, knowing nothing of the search while it was in progress, is now known as "Hoffa."

[AlanK]

I think that Hoffa failed to sign any informal registers.

[tomcat_rc]

chatted with a few on last Saturday(the Chicago 3) at Walkers Pass - their estimation is that less than 25 are ahead of them. Just got word these 3 reached Kennedy Meadows yesterday and are laying over for a day of good meals before pushing into the Sierras. Looks like some made it out of the desert before the heat.

[asabat]

I think that Hoffa failed to sign any informal registers.

Nope, he signed one at the bottom according to http://rmru.org/missions/2008/2008-017.html. I think this was actually a notebook in an ice chest left for the hikers.

It is possible he didn't sign a formal PCT register. I usually do not, as they are usually kept behind the counter at a post office or store.

[AlanK]

I think that Hoffa failed to sign any informal registers.

Nope, he signed one at the bottom according to http://rmru.org/missions/2008/2008-017.html. I think this was actually a notebook in an ice chest left for the hikers.

It is possible he didn't sign a formal PCT register. I usually do not, as they are usually kept behind the counter at a post office or store.

I assume that the Hoffa reference was to a famous disappearance years ago in New Jersey that did not explicitly involve hiking (or registers). I may be betraying my age.

[asabat]

Yep. (For those not familiar, long distance hikers often acquire a new name on the trail. Hence, my handle here.)