The Emmons/Winthrop route is largely unchanged from the last post from August 4th. There have been many successful summits on the route in the past week. However, climbers were reporting thinning bridges. The large plug in between the Corridor and the Alpine Meadow is surely getting spicier (that is, more unstable) so be sure to assess what you are stepping on as you move up the route. As always, an old boot pack DOES NOT guarantee you are on the safest line up the glacier. Stay engaged on the way up, as well as the way down, as glaciers are always changing.
The number of climbers is decreasing as we move through August, making for a quiet route and camp. At Camp Schurman, crevasses are invading the usual tent sites on the Winthrop. Make sure to assess your camp carefully and probe for crevasses. There is running water on the glacier surface above the helipad on most afternoons right now. And near constant rockfall off of Curtis Ridge makes for great alpine entertainment. Come up and enjoy the last remaining days of summer on the mountain. It's a lovely time to be in the Park.
