We started out our weekend with rain and low clouds making the trail a muddy challenge.  I recall one of Thomas' comments, "We could have not picked a worse trail for this weather".  It was true - the trail was badly rutted and overgrown.  As our bodies parted the thick underbrush, there was a carwash effect ensuring that every part of our bodies got wet.  Finally we made it out of the forest and into the upper meadows.  Poor visibility caused us to veer off-trail for a ways, but was soon corrected.  A final push and we were at the high camp.  The transition from forest meadows to glacial terrain was almost instant.

Summit day was greeted with mild warm winds and clear skies.  We started late at 5:20am and made our way across the Sulphide glacier.  We ran into troubles at the summit pyramid realizing that the snow in the gully was going to be too advanced for some members in our group.  The only alternate would be the SE ridge which goes at 5.5.  Realizing the error, we gave up the summit for another time.  It was a beautiful weekend.