12/26/2010 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 12/26/2010, By: MountainHiker Info: Packed trail. We wore snowshoes all the way to the top. Without snowshoes there would be some post holing. The snow below and just above treeline is too deep to go off trail without flotation. The skiers were getting some turns up high and again just above treeline. Poles and traction recommended. |
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11/26/2010 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 11/27/2010, By: mtnmike Info: Post-Thanksgiving; below treeline the trail deviates somewhat from the established summer trail. Bootpack is pretty good in most places, snowshoes might be helpful in one or two short sections (left mine in the car - not worth the weight IMHO). Trail above treeline is hardpack/icy -- typical winter conditions up there. Yaktraks/microspikes/crampons might be helpful if you‘re not confident with the terrain. Winds were pretty stiff on the morning of the 26th - was blown off my feet along the ridge at 13,100‘ and turned back there. Snowpack for skiing is continuous from nearly the summit, variable snow conditions from crust to soft. |
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11/21/2010 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 11/21/2010, By: Monster5 Info: Trail (read: bootpack that follows the trail pretty closely) was obscured by drift but still easy to follow. Snowshoes would be helpful in some drift areas below treeline but I left those, axe, and crampons in the pack - good bootpack covered by a couple inches of loose snow. Started at winter closure at 7:45 and returned ~2:30 going at a moderate pace. The usual wind and blowing snow above treeline, but still pretty bare. Two parties and a solo made the summit; didn‘t look like anybody turned back. Visibility varied, but 1/2 mile on average. Skiing - good coverage and continuous skiing below about 12500. A lot of rock still uncovered above and you‘d be hard-pressed to find a semi-continuous path. One hiker tried and ended up leaving his skies in the upper bowl - he cramponed up the prominent gully from the upper basin to the summit ridge and said that wind slabs felt ready to go. I have photos of the surrounding peaks, taken in brief periods of good visibility, if anybody wants them. |
