clymbon

Now I'm back I can answer my own question: No significant snow in the gullies on the south/southwest sides of Liberty Bell and the Spires. Looking down over the notch from the Liberty Bell gully below the Beckey route I could see lots of snow on that side - probably going to be there through the end of the season. So, if you're coming up from the SW (Blue Lake) side, don't bother bringing an ice axe. If you're coming up from the other side, bring an axe, and probably crampons too.

Nice TR, thanks. I wonder who the "two bloodied/bandaged climbers at the trailhead" were. We did SW Rib of South Early Winters Spire that day, and heard from another party that a team starting up the route after us had a nasty fall on the first pitch. We heard that the leader took a ground fall and was banged and scraped up but able to walk away from it. I wonder if those were the people you saw.

We were in hiking out from S Early Winter Spire, and talked to some of the SAR personnel hiking in. I asked them what group they were with and they said Okanagon Search and Rescue.

Thinking of going up to do the Beckey Route on Liberty Bell this week. Anyone know what the snow conditions are in the gully up to the notch between Liberty Bell and Concord? Is it still snow filled? Is it icy? Also, we were thinking of staying the night up near Blue Lake and then going to do SW Rib of South Early Winters Spire the next day. Is camping allowed up there? Do I need some kind of permit? (Could also hike back down the trail, sleep in the van, and hike back up the next day.)