Mt Ritter and or Banner Peak – July 1

from the saddle between Ritter and Banner, Banner is just a class 2 slog up a giant talus field, whereas Ritter involves some exposed class 4 climbing.

I have only been up there from the opposite side you mention (Ediza), which involved some moderately steep snow to get to the saddle. I used Kahtoola KTS crampons over my trail runner shoes and one ice axe. the side I went up I would not recommend micro spikes. don’t know about the approach side you speak of. a lot depends on whether the snow is frozen hard or not.

There is glacier ice above Lake Catherine. With the snow we are getting and that early in the season you MIGHT be able to kick steps in firm snow by late morning. But maybe not. It is possible that the snow will be melted off down to blue ice. Wither way I would take crampons and ice axe. Micro spicks are for icy trails; not steep stuff where they could twist off your boots and leave you in a bad way. You should also have experience with ice axe and crampons to to this. Especially if it is blue ice… and you won’t likely know until you are there. It is very important that your crampons fit nice and snug on you boots (not trail runners). Find a place to practice where it is not too steep and there is a save ‘run-out’ if you fall and slide… a place where you won’t end up sliding into rocks or into a freezing lake. Even better, get a friend who knows how to crampon to show you… or take a class.

billy