July 15, 2006- Inter Glacier, MRNP

We (Mike, non-TAYer and myself) hiked into Glacier Basin after work on Friday, set up camp and then got a blistering alpine start on Saturday morning (8am!). The hike up the valley led to snow around 6500 ft, with one portage necessary. The glacier slog was hot, even with wispy clouds here and there. A few good sized (yet very easily avoidable) holes have opened up around 7800 ft. Eating lunch on the ramp down to Schurman, we saw and heard a huge icefall on the Emmons. The skiing down was fun, but certainly a mixed bag. The top section is getting pretty sun-cupped, the middle section was dreamy corn, and the bottom was mush with significant rocks to avoid. Next time, I'd be temped to yoyo whatever good snow I find, and avoid skiing the whole glacier. Another week or two, I'd guess. depending on the temperatures we see.