I ended up taking the fun way down from Columbine Pass. There were two major snowfields remaining on the south side. I took out my ice axe, put on my rain slickers, and glissaded down both snowfields. I estimate that I descended 1500' and saved an hour of hiking using this method. There were several parties hiking up to Columbine Pass, and they were hooting and hollering from a distance cheering me on during the slide. I could barely brake enough with my ice axe to stay at a safe controlled speed. This was defintely the funnest glissade I have ever done.

I got into camp around 1:30 PM, and let me tell you, mother nature went crazy just after my tent was pitched. There was a violent hailstorm with very high winds that moved in. I felt very bad for the folks that were still out on the trail, particularly those above treeline. I am sure they were beat up and bruised due to the size and violence of the hail. Fortunately, my tent held up, and I was comfortable inside.