Thanks Sarah! Skinned into there from he north thru the Ralph Lauren ranch in Feb of '05 on a reccy and then in Feb of '06 to climb that gorgeous NF -- got 14" dumped on us as we camped at the base, so we skeedaddled. Haven't been back since, but I have always wondered about it!! Is there a better approach? Would the North Pole hut be helpful? May want to try again this winter!