Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Current conditions on Russell

An acquaintance of mine was looking for conditions on Russell; current and what one might expect through the end of June.

Thanks!
MC

I just read a thread on summitpost.com in the California forum where a guy reported clear, snow free conditions from the saddle to both summits.

Thanks, jhodlof. I forwarded the summitpost link.

And that same guy went back and edited his OP to say something different, and now says he was not on the ridge and only knows what he saw from down below while heading to Iceberg.

3 of us just came back yesterday from a day-trip attempt on the East Ridge approach Sunday. Had been told Saturday night at the hostel about ice/snow on the north side and decided to change plans to right side of north face. When we reached Iceberg lake, the (amazing day, seemed like 70 degrees at LBS, 50 at Iceberg) South face route too appeared to have snow as well and since we only had a day permit decided to try again later in the season.

Here's where it gets good. We were passed on the way up to LBS by a young solo Colorado hiker also trying for the East ridge. We gave him our beta and went on. That was about 8:30 am. On our decent at 4:00, he again caught up to us and was literally running most of the way down the trail, the entire way from Upper Boy Scout down to the Portal. He successfully summitted Russell from the East ridge by stepping into the boot holes left by a prior hiker. So as of yesterday, there is still considerable snow on the ridge (East to West) but there is a 'path' made by at least 2 other hikers. Not sure I have to confidence to do that ridge under those conditions, will wait until the snow melts.