I think we need to be careful talking about this or any other alternate route, especially this year.? Very few terrains are more unpleasant or hazardous to cross than snow-covered talus, which tends to have big voids between rocks under deteriorating snow.? I hit way more of that than I ever care to do again crossing decent routes over Italy Pass, Red Peak Pass and others in 2017 and 2019. Much less radical conditions than I would expect between Humphreys and Darwin Bench this year. That route winds through 10-12,000 foot elevations, and I can't imagine it being very inviting for? above-average JMT skill levels this year.? I am no authority on this, just offering my observations from doing less ambitious routes under much better conditions.?
I would love to hear from Ned Tibbits and others on this, but at the very least I urge caution in promoting any alternate route, as we determine the specifics of this reported bridge situation.
