I made the summit 7/5 and was the only one around that day, so a bit of splendid isolation amidst stunning views.
Snow begins in earnest about 1.5 / 2 miles in and here the trail disappears. Yak trax/spikes and axe are required to go much farther and anywhere near the lookout. I went straight up the face and bounded between bare heather and rock outcrops to approach the summit from skier's right. This is the preferred route given sketchy ridge and cornice conditions along the southwest spine of the true trail, all of which is hidden under snow.
Interesting note - I passed right above a recently vacated bear den just below summit. Both large and small bear paw prints were clearly visible in the snow, quite fresh, and so the team apparently walked off just before I trudged by.
If you make it to the top you'll be treated to gleeful glissade!
Comments