Glacier Peak — Friday, Jul. 24, 2020

Typing this up briefly in case anyone is looking for a conditions report... will add more details later!

Left Friday 11:30 AM

Returned Sunday 11:30 AM.

Day 1: Hike up to first night of camp exactly 12 miles in, into the basin. There were a few flat campsites (snow-free) and running water down near the bottom of the basin. We were hoping to get to Glacier Gap, but did not realize that was actually closer to 14 miles in. Arrived 7p. Trail in good condition.

Day 2: Began summit push at 4:50 AM. We underestimated how long it would take us to get up there for sure! Ended up being an 11 hour day. We put crampons on immediately leaving camp. We saw a few people camping around ~13 miles in and then again quite a few tents at 14 miles in at Glacier Gap. Dry sites with running water. 

Still considerable snow on the trail.

Most groups did NOT rope up past a crevasse, but there were a few that did. There is a crevasse starting to open up on the route, but as of now the snow bridge is intact. It was definitely getting soft for us on the descent. We chose to rope up on the way up and did not on the way down (please decide what is safest for YOUR group!!). In hindsight, the snow bridge is a little sketchy and we probably should have roped up on the way down to be extra safe. Other than that, the route is safe. Good boot path all the way up that was easy to follow.

Reached summit around 11 AM. Crystal clear skies and no wind made for a HOT descent. I rarely finish half of a 3L camel back on normal ascents, and I was out of water when we returned to camp (130 lb. female). Make sure to bring plenty of water or at least a filter if it's going to be sunny and hot.

Made back to camp at 3:30 PM and were totally spent. We managed to gather energy to pack up camp and move down to White Pass, where we spent our final night camping. Plenty of sites. Definitely some bugs. 

Day 3: packed up and left at 7:45 AM, and made it back to the car at 11:30 AM. 

WOOF. what a trip!! Posting a picture of the one crevasse that is opening up. 

Surprisingly (?) a lot of people doing the route, but I think it was because of the near perfect conditions.