These hikers have completed Kennedy Meadows South to Sonora Pass/Kennedy Meadows North in 2023- highest Sierra Snowfall EVER! Abraham Espinoza- first to get to Kennedy Meadows North- SOLO! www.uniondemoc...
When you consider that 50 permits are issued each day for three months, these 46 hikers represent 1.02% of the total PCT permits issued. Also- we just met Abraham Espinoza on trail. He’s using the trail name Snow Leopard. Go Abraham! instagram.com/p/Ct2OJXMSZyt/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
That’s awesome! Congrats to them all for living life to the fullest! I was following Lookout on his RU-vid. I can’t wait for him to be able to upload his videos! Also found a guy named Ben (not sure any info about him) but his videos are awesome as well.
Almost all did the Bishop Pass/Paiute Canyon alternates to avoid those two bridges. I am aware that one group did the bridges but it is not recommended and strictly closed. But it has been done.
I have friends who did KMS to Kearsarge with skis, but they didn’t continue due to avalanche concerns. But I did hear of two others who may have gone further on skis…but I don’t know them.
From what i've seen(followed) MANY have leap-frogged/ sectioned out...some have flipped to the northern terminus(like Huck) to go south after opting out of the deep snow passes north of Kennedy meadows. I believe "Skelator" is still in nor-Cal. as of 10 days ago...with "The Codgers" @ Kerson pass.
Venturing solo 5 days ahead of anyone into those unknown conditions is not something to be celebrated. That’s reckless and potentially places SAR in danger. If something had happened we’d all be asking, “why did he venture solo”? The fact that he made it shouldn’t change the perspective. I’m very glad he made it, but he should not have ventured into those conditions solo.
I hear what you’re saying, but risk is relative. His goal was not to go alone, but to go early- he just didn’t find a partner or group to go with him. By going early, when snow was firm, snow bridges were safe, and water levels were low, he minimized risk. I agree that going solo increases risk, but I’d argue that less skilled or prepared groups going later were taking a higher risk than Abraham. Everyone entering the Sierra this year is taking a risk- I’m not certain that his risk was greater than many others.
For some, going early and alone is the right decision; for others, the wrong decision. More important than thinking we know what’s the right decision for everyone, is knowing the right decision for us. In the end, it’s part making the right decision and more about making your decision right.
@cbne1997 Sounds like a personal challenge you should never attempt since you are living in fear. Taking freedom away from someone else to choose their own life experience actually isn’t up to you. Anyone soloing isn’t living in fear or thinking of recklessness. They are living their lives the way they choose, for themselves. Same as SAR employees. They also make life choices. Don’t project your fear onto others, not sure why you’d even think that is helpful to anyone.
