First day that Timberline parking lot is open after covid shutdown. Got a 2:30 am start into a near whiteout conditions, passed many climbers coming down. Skies cleared at the top of Palmer glacier and conditions were perfect all the way to the summit. This was the first time that I had to break the trail solo, but having the summit all to myself with only my footprints to show my accomplishment was worth the effort. Took the pearly gates route and summited at 8:30. The skies were amazingly clear with views from Rainier to the Three Sisters and no winds at all. Lots of people waited out the weather and were on their way up once I was back at devils kitchen. Until next year!