Well packed trail or firm snow (mostly) to the headwall (just above Wheeler Lake) to the upper basin, Snowshoes were helpful from about 2 miles in until Wheeler Lake. We saw some cracks in the snow on the climber's left side of the headwall, so we ascended further right, but still left of the summer route, using crampons and axe. Snowshoes were helpful in the upper basin, but not very necessary. The East ridge of Traver is generally unsupporting snow between rocks. The south slopes of Clinton look blown clean. 1st pic is of the south slopes of Clinton. Second is of Traver on the left looking up the upper basin.
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