Joel, on the west summit of Russell, with the summit register can in his hand and the northern flank of Mt. Whitney in the background and the Whitney-Russell pass lying just below. Joel and I quickly scribbled our names and a brief note about the great weather in the summit register then made a hasty escape down a couloir on the south side of the east ridge of Russell. It was after 4pm and we were very fortunate to not have a cloud in the sky anywhere near us. In the summer, afternoon thunderstorms are a possibility and we make great lightning rods on the tops of tall mountains so it is important to monitor the cloud situation as we climb. This would be much harder tomorrow on Whitney as the weather typically moves in from the west, but climbing the east side of Whitney prevents you from seeing much in that direction.