BigSteve

Nice TR of a great route. I did it several years ago with two buddies. Josh, I generally concur with iluka's observations. The Icy Glacier does open up considerably later in the season. I climbed the Ruth Glacier late season (September or August) back in the 1990's, when we encountered a few crevasse issues and were glad to be roped up. I have not roped up on the Ruth in early season. Re skiing, I personally would not schlep skis down the Hell Gully (not my phrase) to ski the few hundred feet on the Icy Glacier. But the Ruth Glacier looks like a great ski, one I've been planning to do.

How was the descent of upper Trauma Ridge, the section just below the lower basin where you start down towards Snow Lake? Were the rebar footholds and chipped footholds melted out? We were planning to do our annual Enchantments run on Saturday, but I guess we'll be taking boots and gaiters! Thanks.

I know about the crampon attachment failures, which is no concern to me because I use Voile crampons. I have not heard of the other issue. I'll be careful. So far, I love the Comforts.

I know about the crampon attachment failures, which is no concern to me because I use Voile crampons. I have not heard of the other issue. I'll be careful. So far, I love the Comforts.

Where are your Comforts cracking? I'm a 15+ year telemarker who switched to Comforts last spring. I like 'em, but want to understand their weak points. Thanks.

Small world -- I am one of the three 12-time Cle Elum Ridge 50k finishers, and climbed the West Ridge of Stuart with 9-time CER50k finisher Ted Mueser several years ago. BUT, we took waaaay more than 8 hours -- hell, we bivied at the West Ridge Notch. BTW, there are no 13-time CER50k finishers -- Mark Konodi DNF'ed this year. I DNS due to a mountaineering injury, and Ron Warner DNS. Speedy work, men. And congrats on a swift 50k at CE.

Yesterday, my group completed an 8-day traverse Mt. Daniel to Big Snow Mtn. More specifically, we started at Cathedral Rock TH, climbed Cathedral Rock, to Peggy's Pond, standard ascent of Daniel, descended via Lynch Glacier/4th class slabs, down to lower Foss Glacier, then up and over Mt. Hinman to La Bohn Gap, then 2-1/2 day on Alpine Lakes High Route (w/Beckey shelf variation) to Gold Lake, over Big Snow Mtn., descent to Big Snow Lake to Myrtle Lake. Conditions and weather generally good. No human contact between E Peak Daniel and Big Snow Lake. I had done about half of the route on prior trips in the 90's. Travel this year was more rugged than I had remembered -- as usual. Getting off the Lynch Glacier involved technical exposed travel, but the route is otherwise comprised of rough cross country travel with some scrambling and tricky routefinding in a few spots. No time to post pics at this time. Heading up to do another high route on Tuesday. Great adventurous route with lovely camps!

I'm seeking info on the Mystery Ridge Traverse w/ exit via Berdeen Lake High Route. I climbed Despair via Triumph Pass about 10 years ago, so I'm interested in info re the descent off Despair's SE ridge, condition of glaciers, camping opportunities, etc. Thanks.