170828 FS Inyo PRW Mount Ritter (36217537764)

Hiking/Climbing Mount Ritter on the Inyo National Forest, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Aug. 28, 2017. Reached below pinnacle to the left of the Southeast Glacier and put on micro-spikes 0700. Entered the SE Glacier. Snow was soft enough to kick steps in but just slushy enough to not be able to bite into with the spikes. Ice axe was needed. Kicked stepped up Glacier to rock fields. At 12,000 one party member stopped. Two continued up to Owen's Chute, which was last right turning chute on right side of canyon. Chute had no snow in it. 0930. Small storm came in with darken skies and small amount of hail. Decided to turn around and link up with other teammates. Should have gone for the summit, which looked like a large snow field surrounded it and more kick stepping required. Tons of daylight. Bad choice to turn back. Temps in 50s. No wind. (USDA photo by Paul Wade)