Climbed the Old Chute on 05-30-09. Apologies for the late input.
No ropes, no fuss.
Started at Timberline at 12 midnight, past the tent city above the IR at 4.00 a.m., summit at 5.30 a.m., breakfast on the summit at 5.35 a.m., back to the car at 9.00 a.m.
For the reasons unknown to mankind, some days in the chute are worse than just a zoo (see pics).
Icy and cold before the sunrise, a way colder than in December when we did West Crater Rim with Olegv.
I witnessed a snowboarding accident of a guy descending the icy Chute who lost his grip and was sliding down for about 150'. His randonneeing friend made a wise decision to stop after taking two turns and to downclimb it instead. I still keep wondering why would anyone even think about doing something like that before the sun significantly melts the snow.
Gear notes: helmet, crampons, axe and second tool (useful on the downclimb to make your own path to stay away from mega roped teams)
North Face summit ridge: Rainier, Adams and St. Helens