Just finished a successful summit this morning 10/25. All of this information is with the caveat that there is more snow supposedly coming in midweek.
We started from trail camp just before 4 a.m. with microspikes and trek poles. For 98% of the switchbacks this was plenty for us. There are a number of drifts built up though that require some careful moves. Kicking steps helped here where the spikes didn't. Fairly good exposure throughout the switchbacks.
Beyond trail crest, the exposure went up but we had little trouble negotiating this terrain. You'll need to be comfortable moving over a one foot wide trail of packed frozen snow, with a steep drop off. I don't recall needing to kick steps.
My biggest recommendation is to start early. We had little trouble with the terrain because it was all very compacted from freezing overnight. On our descent from the summit however it had become very soft (somewhere around 10am) and microspikes helped little in this stuff (the poles did tremendously though). Most of the people we talked to who didn't get to the switchbacks until after dawn ended up turning around just above the cables, whether they had spikes or not.
All of this may change with any new snow. I will say that the person we saw who seemed to have the easiest time was the one with full cramps and an axe so I say bring 'em. I don't see where a helmet would be necessary though.
Plenty of running water all over up until trail camp. After that, just snow.
I'll look through my photos and see if any provide a good idea of the conditions.
More than anything, it was cold, especially after post holing on the way down. Bring plenty of socks!
