September 3, 2012, Mt. Rainier, Fryingpan Glacier

This is not the Fryingpan Glacier I remember skiing back in 1999 and in 2000 when I skied it late September and early October and the snow conditions were minimally suncupped  and smooth enough to make as few turns as one wished.  The conditions on the Summer Land Cirque were fairly firm with moderate sized suncups.  Snow was continuous from the base of the cirque to the ridge; however, I would recommend using an ice ax and crampons if you are going to hike straight up the cirque.

As for the Frying Panglacier itself, snow was continues from 7,500 feet on up to the crest.  Not sure what the name of this crest at 9,000 feet is. 

Car to car time was 8:38:00.  For September, I guess these aren't the worst conditions.