LOL @ the whole 'drainage' argument. Does it really matter if I said in every drainage, on every peak, in every cirque, etc etc? At that point I was not talking about the specific area in OP anyways...
On the other hand, the climb went great! We did it C2C on Saturday. Arete would be better if there was more 5.7-5.8, and less scrambling to the top. I thought crux was a bit soft for 5.8, but still very happy not to wear a pack on that pitch because getting off the ledge would be a bit rough with one. My partner actually fell 3-4 times on that pitch (with a pack) and he climbs circles around me in the gym. We were the only party on route. No crampons required, bypassed the snow on the loose crap left side (when you face down the cirque?
). No one but us on that arete on Saturday. On our way back saw a party of two camping at Dade lakes (as I remember) intending to climb the arete on Sun.
On Sunday we did the White mountain hike (I thought the oldest trees in the world were somewhere along the trail but the weren't), and than did the other hike to actually see bristlecone pines. Than car camped at some point along the road back to see a great sunrise the next day light up the range. On Monday did Crstal Crag's N arete on the drive back. Very nice weekend. Will post a few photos if any turned out...