Congratulations on making it, sorry it was so miserable. Hope the "frostbite" isn't really that.
You were so focused on the permit pickup -- how did that go? And what time did the group start up the trail?
jondotcom: Don't count on water at the switchbacks -- it is likely either dry or frozen.
Jondotcom - any water at the switchbacks was frozen. The last place to filter available water was the tarn next to Trail Camp.
Steve - we started up the trail about 945a. Stayed in Olancha Friday night and got to the Eastern Sierra office by 8am the next morning. Most people waiting were there for walk up permits - we were some of the only ones with reseevations so we had priority and were processed as the second group. All in all a smooth, painless process. Thanks for all of your input!
