After reading numerous trip reports and grabbing as much printed maps & route material as possible over the past year for a June-July CB trip, I have yet to read anything in detail about approach conditions from the trailheads during that time of year; are snow shoes/skis ever in order, or are the snow & ice conditions such that the approaches need nothing more than good boots? are there exceptions?

thx!

Snowshoes/skies are definitely not necessary. In most cases, your approach will begin with 1-2 days up the valley floor at 3000-4000m. You are usually following a stream, but the trails are generally dry and well worn. I've worn a light pair of trail shoes on most occasions, unless I was going super fast and light in which case I just suffered in doubles.

From a valley camp you will probably have a high camp (more than one for a peak like Huascaran). Some of the high camps will be on a glacier, some will be at the moraine. Even in a bad weather year (like last year, when there was still some snow falling in June), the glaciers are easily crossed with just crampons. Because of the climate (relatively mild temperatures + sun) any snow that does fall tends to melt off quickly.

thanks, MR4; that's perfect info