On Apr 21, 2023, at 04:57, C Brown via groups.io <snookpig@...> wrote:

?

Lots of beating around the bush. ?This year it will be extremely dangerous. This bridge outage is not unexpected ? I would not be supprized to see more bridges taken out in the melt. ?Experienced folks need to be careful not to encourage the new people to “just take a look”. ?

On Apr 21, 2023, at 05:55, Lange Jorstad via groups.io <langejorstad@...> wrote:

?Completely agree, Karina. The passes over Glacier Divide are steep, won’t have bomber boot tracks like the JMT passes, and are pretty remote (if you get in strife). From the reports I’ve read about the western alternate, it’s meant to be scenic but is not a trail, it’s a route. Most JMT and PCT hikers are trail hikers, not many are comfortable going XC and navigating by topo map. I hope desperation doesn’t lead to trouble!

Regarding bridge repair, someone call Macgyver and get a roll of duct tape…

On 21 Apr 2023, at 11:04 am, Karina Bezkrovnaia via groups.io <kbezkrovnaia@...> wrote:

?Lange ,

I already looked at those bypasses … I don’t see this to be “ foreseeable” future. First it will make you break away from Wilderness and iconic Muir Pass. Unless you are going over Hell-for-Sure.

Also will be far more complex to resupply and transportation as well as MTR business …. We shall see what transpires.?

We could collectively crowdfund this bridge repair ;)

I’m afraid that those off trail detours could bring more casualties… specially early in the season.

Karina Bezkrovnaia

On Apr 20, 2023, at 16:16, Lange Jorstad via groups.io <langejorstad@...> wrote:

?There has been some discussion on Reddit in particular about alternate routes. Several people have taken the "east bank" option before, and indicate that it gets quite cliffy and tricky (and if there is residual snow, possibly even harder?). Also, no one really seems to have direct experience with crossing Evolution Creek in high flow at the base of the EV cascades - will this even be possible? A tremendous amount of water will be coming down the casades with some serious energy - it does flatten out a the confluence with the San Joaquin, but will that be enough to make it similar to the Evolution Meadow crossing?

There was also discussion of "maybe the bridge could still be passable, even if dangerous?". Clearly the PCT hikers in particular are not wanting to give up on getting through that section. From that photo in the PCTA update, while the bridge is still connected to the abutments, it looks like it is sagging quite a bit in the middle. It's possible the bridge could be in the water when peak melt hits and the river rises, and will be susceptible to logs getting washed down the river, which could damage it further.?

I strongly suspect the PCT hikers will be attempting the east bank scramble to bypass the bridge, and some may attempt the SHR bypass (Glacier Divide), and possibly the west side (Hell For Sure) bypass too. Seems really dangerous, since there is definitely a cohort of PCT hikers who have confidence well beyond their experience or ability. Hiking 700 miles through the desert doesn't make you a seasoned Sierra winter hiker.