August 1, 2010, Mt. Rainier, Frying Pan Glacier

Just a quick update on things since Wolfs posting about the route to Whitman Crest the other day. Things are  still pretty much as he reported... no longer possible to ski continuously from the glacier down to the bottom of the Goat Cirque. With good navigating you can get through with 2-3 short carries right now. Suncups are still not too bad, even on the lower  portions of the route, particularly since things were already pretty soft by about 9:30-10:00 in the morning. The bergshrund near the top of the Glacier is not open yet but getting close. Cracks are appearing on the Frying Pan starting around 7,900 but all are small at present.

My first August turns ever!