Thanks for the reply about water on the MR. I've been up it once (a day hike to the summit) last year at the end of July and was wondering if I should expect any different conditions around Sept 8th - or simply what I might expect. I carried an Ice axe last year (on July 30), but didn't use it at all. I am planning on going up with a couple of friends that are both in decent condition and long term hikers, but have never did Whitney due mainly to the crowds and not knowing the MR. And while I have your ear (thank you by the way), at a realitively decent pace (I did the MR last year in 11 hours RT -I had some problems going up 7.5 verse 3.5 down-, but plan on the trip probably being slower) how long would you expect to take to hit the bottom of the ledges. I want to hit them right at daylight for the ascent.
Thanks again. I have learned a great deal reading your comments on this message board. We are truely lucky to have people like you among us.