Went up and down the Mountain yesterday (June 15) using the switchbacks (now seemingly the consensus route).
Richard P's admonition and photos of June 10 are still very relevant, as it appears little has changed over five days.
As JohnJDS noted from his experience June 15, at the Cables "the big icy block near the top is the crux." There my approach on the way up was to use my axe to (1 )cut fresh steps/reshape existing steps to get better purchase for my crampons and (2) self belay. Then climb up over the block to gain access to a narrow and deep trench between the ice block and adjacent rock wall. Finally, "walk" a few yards in the trench to exit the Cables. Repeat in reverse on the descent.
On my descent, at the Cables I waited in line (like the Hillary Step) 20 minutes for many people to cross the Cable area. For some it took 10 minutes to cross the icy snow block, as others graciously provided initial instruction in use of Ice axe and crampons (if they had them),
As Richard P noted, the last stretch to Trail Crest is another area requiring focus. I did ok going up when the snow was firm. But on the descent at about 13:30, the area was now a sliding mixture of mud, rotten snow, and rocks. Unlike others, I bypassed it by climbing the rock above it.
Just past the Keeler Needle, there is now a consensus boot track established to the summit plateau. It essentially lies in snow following the New Trail (rerouted some years ago). Following the shorter Old Trail (as was done all summer two years ago after the heavy snowfall winter) will now probably take longer (as "shortcuts" often do!).
Jim
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