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I know there have been a few snow flurries in the area recently. Does anyone know the conditions of the Shadow Lake Trail back to Banner/Ritter?

Dry as a bone. Summited Ritter this afternoon and walked out tonight. Weather is in the 40's at night and 60's in the day.

Other than the glacier, the whole route is dry (and the walk in certainly is). Have fun up there...

Fletch wrote:Dry as a bone. Summited Ritter this afternoon and walked out tonight. Weather is in the 40's at night and 60's in the day.

Other than the glacier, the whole route is dry (and the walk in certainly is). Have fun up there...

Fletch, which route did you take? How was it?
Cool on you for getting back there this late in the season!

Hey skoon, we went up the SE glacier and took the wrong alley to the ridge. Ended up on some 4th class/low 5th stuff and burned an hour getting out of it. After summiting and a few forehead slaps, we descended the right alley... It's great up there right now, if you can tolerate all the loose stuff... I'd think a June climb would be the most enjoyable though...

Thanks Fletch, might be the weekend after now so things could change but we'll be there!

Post pics when you get back!

Fletch wrote:Hey skoon, we went up the SE glacier and took the wrong alley to the ridge. Ended up on some 4th class/low 5th stuff and burned an hour getting out of it. After summiting and a few forehead slaps, we descended the right alley... It's great up there right now, if you can tolerate all the loose stuff... I'd think a June climb would be the most enjoyable though...

Fletch, yeah, as I remember, it does get a little tricky up there. . I got out of the alley/chute, and was a few minutes behind a couple of buddies, who went up
the correct way, to the left, etc, and I couldn't really see the route((this was many years ago), so, I opted for going toward up and around toward the right, which
worked out just fine.
We descended the SE. glacier route, I believe, with some nice glissading right off the top!
Cool climb, and yeah, I'd like to do it again, ideally early in the season, as you suggest.

Another question, might be hititng the trail at dark. Is it easy to follow (with headlamps) or are there possible route issues? Better to start early morning with some light?

You should be fine in the dark to Shadow Lake. Good trail the whole way.

Marmaduke wrote:Another question, might be hititng the trail at dark. Is it easy to follow (with headlamps) or are there possible route issues? Better to start early morning with some light?

I walked out from Ediza in the dark. Very easy trail with a headlamp... there is the turnoff after Olaine Lake and two between Shadow and Ediza, but they are signed and pretty easy to follow.

I doubt there is an easier trail to follow in the "high" Sierra. I once hiked out to Mammoth (for an emergency medical procedure) and back to camp on the same night without any light (no pussy headlamps back then).

Fletch wrote:

Marmaduke wrote:Another question, might be hititng the trail at dark. Is it easy to follow (with headlamps) or are there possible route issues? Better to start early morning with some light?

I walked out from Ediza in the dark. Very easy trail with a headlamp... there is the turnoff after Olaine Lake and two between Shadow and Ediza, but they are signed and pretty easy to follow.

Agree, have twice hiked out in the dark without issue.

ROL wrote:(no pussy headlamps back then).

Yes, you probably used a torch from your cave... why didn't I think of that?

You tell 'em! Those young whippersnappers these days!

Next, you're gonna tell me it was uphill both ways...

How do you plan on getting in? Road is closed passed Minaret Vista and there is a FKload of snow back there. How do I know? Cuz I'm sitting on summit of Two Teats right now. POST-HOLE MADNESS!

Deb wrote:How do you plan on getting in? Road is closed passed Minaret Vista and there is a FKload of snow back there. How do I know? Cuz I'm sitting on summit of Two Teats right now. POST-HOLE MADNESS!

???? Others just came from there and said dry as a bone.????