Full pics available here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52913270@N02/sets/72157645103435925/
My girlfriend and I summitted via the Mountaineer's Route yesterday (Sunday, June 8, 2014). I've done the traditional 11-mile route three times and felt more than ready for the challenge.
We got on the trail at about 4:20am PDT in fair weather. The sunrise was beautiful and we had plenty of light to proceed without headlamps by the time we reached the Ebersbacher Ledges. (Hooray, summer solstice!) Had no major problems finding the route and loved every minute of it.
It seems that a good number of late-season snows made for a good amount of runoff, but all stream crossings were easy. As we ascended we encountered more snow, but never had to deal with any ice. We were prepared with crampons and ice axes but only used microspikes.
The last stretch up the snow in the gully above Iceberg Lake was hard, but we were in full sun and did the whole thing in shirt sleeves.
Thankfully, when we reached The Notch, there was no ice on the final push up the boulders to the summit. There was full sun on top and virtually no wind at all. We did the usual pictures and chats with the PCT through hikers and I shared my customary victory beer.
My travelling companion was hinky about descending the MR and reluctant to glissade as well, so we took the main trail down. This was probably a good idea as some clouds began to move in as we left the summit and we had a bit of sporadic snow (even though it was 54F on the 97 switchbacks) and eventually a light, but steady rain all the way back to the Portal.
As for the switchbacks, there was as much snow as I've ever seen up there in my four trips up Whitney. They're definitely passable without spikes/crampons, but the faint of heart should be extra careful until some additional snow melts off.
We arrived back at the car at about 8:30pm, just too late to get any of those badass tamales at the Mexican joint back in Lone Pine. I loved the MR, and can't wait to do it again. Happy (and safe) trails, everyone!
