Oct.12 Outpost camp, at 7 AM, overcast skies, few flurries, good visibility, clouds covering the ridge above the swithch backs.It was snowing a lot the day before and overnight. I am from Chicago and my friend from Ottawa, Canada, so we didn’t mind the weather, actually was quite comfortable for heading to the Trail Camp with a light backpack.Above Trail Camp the snow was mostly around 1 foot, occasionally accumulations of 2-3 feet and all steps stopped before the cables, some people around mentioned 6ft snow, not true. We cut fresh trail from below the cables to the summit, quite exhausting but what a reward when the sky cleared at the ridge for the rest of the trip.! Some ice at the cables, but with good boots and a pair of ski poles it was quite easy, no need for crampons. We even descended the switchbacks after sunset, at stars light, since our flash light failed us. We were the only to summit using this route on the Oct., 12th, but around 5 P we met 2 people heading for the summit from the Muir trail.
