Caleb, thanks for the report! It will help others in the next couple of weeks.
On your start up from Whitney Portal, you took the {url=http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/15657/all/Old_Trail_Trailhead#Post15664]Old Trail[/url]. Really helps until the stream flow slows down.
A question about this: We actually met up with the couple from the Best Western who made much better time than us and were in great shape, but wisely didn't attempt the chute because they didn't have ice axes.
Did they turn back, or go for the switchbacks?
Your tale of trying to glissade the chute at 6 PM is good information. People need to know that it ices up starting about 4 pm when the sun drops behind the crest to the west. It can be really dangerous when it's icy!!!
