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NF of Big Pine is dry until Glacier trail turnoff. Posthole from there on out. We went during a storm so we had fresh powder which made boulder hoping interesting. Camped at Gayley Camp. Still too early for running water, all was frozen. The glacier looked to be in good condition (the fresh foot of snow helped). The bergschrund for both V & U Notches looked to be passable. We however passed on climbing that day due to lots of unconsolidated snow from the storm.

Ooooohhh, check out the Clyde Couloir. Seems like the classic Wi 3+ ice column in the middle is IN. Not 100% sure cuz I have not been on it, but do you have a zoomed in photo of that one? My friend did it in similar time of the year in great conditions. Whoever is psyched on ice climbing at the moment, should check it out, along with East couloir of Split. A friend posted some good photos of that one.

Seconding Vitaliy's suggestion. We did the Clyde two years ago and it was fantastic - this looks even more filled in. (video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQTNjjj3IyU)

Here's the Split thread Vitaliy is referring to: http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/threa ... id=2417435

Not sure if Split will last. Things got very warm last week and it faces east, so heed the advice by Stewart to go when it's cold and to start very early.

Any new beta on the conditions back here?? Have a few friends interested in going up North Pal via the U-Notch and staying at Fischer Camp. Snow shoes still needed?? Is there water nearby or is everything frozen?

Ok for those still interested here's what the U Notch, V Notch and Clyde Coulior look like as of 6/15.
Bottom of U Notch and part of the V Notch showing some ice.


U-Notch


V-Notch


Clyde


Another of the Clyde.

Was there snow on the trail? If so, I'd appreciate knowing where you ran into it and what it was like--trying to figure out footgear.

The trail was free of snow with the exception of a few small patches above Sam Mack Meadow.