There is unavoidable deep rotten snow between 12,700 and 12,900 in the basin. I started early (4:30) and the snow was quite firm and supporting. On the way down I used snow shoes and this did the trick. I saw several people without snowshoes turn around here. I saw several people without snowshoes wallowing waist deep. Apart from this band you need no snow equipment. As you go up the east face there is a snow filed covering the new trail. This snow is rotten. You can stay on the dirt climber's left and you will have no problems.
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