Chief's secret spot is quite nice! Gorgeous weekend.

How do the lakes look? - Are 2nd & 5th melted out?

Thanks

A couple of weeks ago..1st and 3rd were unfrozen...2nd partially. My guess is by now they are all open

2nd is melted out. The upper lakes still have some ice as of 6/20/10, not sure which one is 5th.

Thanks so much - it has been impossible to find any current information about the Sierras this year. Still searching for info on the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

What info do you need?

Know your gear, park the car and go.

Not knowing what one will encounter is part of the adventure. If you are in fact prepared for it, materially and mentally.

Thanks for all the info.

We climbed North Pal and Polemonium on Monday. Camped at gayley camp. We brought fuels to melt snow, but found a trickle there. There are some rock falls in the u-notch, be careful if you go.

tb00957 wrote:Thanks for all the info.

We climbed North Pal and Polemonium on Monday. Camped at gayley camp. We brought fuels to melt snow, but found a trickle there. There are some rock falls in the u-notch, be careful if you go.

Has that cornice up on Polemonium fallen into the u-notch couloir yet? And how was the bergshrund looking??

Thanx,
BJ

I didn't see any cornice on Polemonium. Bridge still good. My first time up there. My partner said it's a bit icier than usual, especially toward the top.

V Notch shrund has nice snow bridge (same as from summer 09) on the left side. U Notch has one on the right. Clyde and N couloir Thunderbolt looked harder to access, but I didn't look carefully; in any case there is easy access via rock for those two.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K0 ... directlink

hamik wrote:V Notch shrund has nice snow bridge (same as from summer 09) on the left side. U Notch has one on the right. Clyde and N couloir Thunderbolt looked harder to access, but I didn't look carefully; in any case there is easy access via rock for those two.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K0 ... directlink

WOW!

The Shrunds on all the Couloirs are much more obvious than they were this time both last and the year prior.

Interesting to say the least.

I'm sure a lot of folks started packing their bags when they saw that beautiful pic. Nice shot!

Anyone have an update on temple crag conditions? I.e. snow on the approach and descent?

Thanks!

did dark star a few days ago and used crampons and axe for both the cold approach, and the cold descent. but it made for easy going over that wicked talus and scree stuff.

the little rock is dry though, and the climbing is still loose.