A couple more questions to pile on:
What are the water crossings like? (we are headed up 7/11/20, but for general knowledge) I see some reports mention putting on water shoes, some saying they can be thigh/waist deep, and some don't even mention them at all. I don't mind taking boots off, but would water shoes be a good idea? Or will having poles and rock/log hopping ability going to keep me mostly dry?
In a trip report years ago, someone here posted that the first water crossing was like doing delicate acrobatics (or something like that). I found that hilarious, but true. You cross over a tree branch holding on to another set of branches. I keep my cell phone in zip lock bags in case I fall in, which so far has not happened.
Below the E-ledges there is another crossing with a waterfall. You really can not avoid getting wet there. I have taken my boots off so I can cross the ledges with dry feet.
The water level will depend on time of day and day of year, but up the North Fork I've never had to wade through waist deep. As Steve said, Lower Boy Scout Lake is tricky, although it is about walking across logs/rocks. If you fall in, it will be at least waist deep.
Above LBSL the water crossings are not deep, but slippery and spread out.
If conditions are dry, my assesment is the walkoff traverse looks like it would be no problem, and easier than the downclimb. Is that fair?
The final 400 is not so difficult. The deaths on the 'easy walkoff' in the past few years scare me.
Any condition updates on MR after the earthquake?
I *might* be up there next week. Will report back if I get to hike this again.
