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Conditions for Ritter/Banner
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 1:45 pm
by nikhilm
Hello,
I'd like to attempt Ritter and Banner this weekend of Jun 13-14. I'd appreciate pointers about current conditions. The group will be carrying ice axes and crampons, but if the route to Ritter from R/B saddle is snowy/icy in the couloirs, we won't attempt it. Thank you.
Re: Conditions for Ritter/Banner
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 2:16 pm
by maverick
No info on the Southeast Glacier or the Ritter-Banner Saddle routes yet, a link to the most recent report to that area is below. Wilderness Center reports lots of snow/ice, crampons/ice axe suggested. They mention that someone went out this weekend and is due back in on Thursday, give the Wilderness center a call (760-924-5500) on Friday, they should be able to give you an up to date conditions report at that time.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12846&p=96336&hilit=minarets#p96304
Nekhil, an intro would be appreciated when you get the time:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9329
Re: Conditions for Ritter/Banner
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 9:06 am
by nikhilm
An update:
Conditions are excellent. Trails clear till ~10000ft up the Ritter/Banner valley as of Sunday June 14. Plenty of talus starting to get exposed on the lower half of the headwall. The snowfield and couloir to access Banner have good snow. Ice axe REQUIRED. Crampons necessary in the early morning, and highly recommended even in the afternoon on descent down the couloir.
Banner's west face has some ice, but with a few class 3 moves it is possible to avoid all of it.
ritter:
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