For reference only: Since I like to scan this site for the latest hiking/climbing information, I thought I'd post parts of an email from a friend who made it to the top yesterday. For reference, she's typically a safe and cautious hiker, in good shape, but has mountaineering experience under her belt (Whitney via the trail crest chute, Denali, Elbrus, Aconcagua.) That said, she has the equipment and knows how to use it.
"Midnight: Just got back an hour ago from Whitney and we did the main trail today. Lots of snow from trail camp on - but no problem with crampons. Slushy snow on rest of route down to portal. We tried to descend via mountaineer's but too much blue ice for me. We set off at 2:30 this morning, finished at 7:15pm (gorgeous day - we took 3 hours in breaks just enjoying sunshine and views) - and drove straight back to LA from the portal. Basically wrapped the entire trip up in 30 hours."
