It is a light snow year, not a no snow year.
In SoCal, the only place where I can make a comparison, the melt is about 3 weeks ahead of last year. Last year, I was doing this in the snow into mid-April. This year I was done in late March.
This is for all May permit holders...
You need basic snow skills, ice axe and crampons until cables are forced and there is a trail put in to Trail Crest. That could be in mid to late May this year but certainly by early June.
Most who rent tools to go up the chute live to talk about the experience. However, if you make a mistake and don't have the skills to belay or arrest a fall or stop an out of control glissade, chances are you will be visiting Southern Inyo Hospital. Of course, I have been told by many with little or no skills, they don't fall...if I heard this once over the years I have heard it twenty times. My experience tells me falls happen and being able to belay or arrest are helpful skills to have.
