Encinitas_Guy,I would bring at least one set of small light weight snow shoes for the beyond the pass area . The snow is very deep there and layered .It can be post hole / slogging in the morning on Break Able Thick Crust- as no one has packed a trail Up there yet and Once the sun hits it for 3/4 hours it can be " Bottomless " . Take one set/pair and Spit the snowshoes up in the group,with one for 2 people each . Then when you Finally get your Butts over the Shepard Pass Notch , one person can use the snowshoes first to pack a trail for the group across the Hugh bowl ...... otherwise this section is" Animal Post Holing time " ...if you have no shoes . Trade tasks as necessary Energy fails the leader. Some times we bring a 9 mm rope , couple biners, slings, and some courage to to boot/ice ax belays at the notch between the Dragons Teeth . It all depends on what the pack looks like at lift off at Symmes Creek trailhead Very Early "O- Dark Thirty " that Morning . Camp at Anvil Camp- good flowing water /level areas and consider also camping at the top of the notch if you have the extra day or are very fast. Between the potholes and the top notch you have a small area of Cell phone resep . Good luck and hope this helps - G. St. Denis
