It MAY be ok without crampons, but until someone actually hikes the switchbacks to the summit without, and reports back that things are ok, you just can't be sure.
I am hoping someone will report back soon.
Watch the weather closely. (See the Mt Whitney Weather link in the box below the webcam pictures on the left). NOAA is predicting a chance of snow at the summit, with highs of 29 on Friday, 22 on Saturday!
Answering t9panda: The trail will be busy, likely fully booked with 60 overnighters and 100 day hikers ...except the foul weather may cause a number to cancel.
Edit: I got a message from "Dustin WeGoRTW" after I emailed asking about using microspikes. His reply: One "in our group used microspikes or a off brand version of them, he made it fine but did say it would of been nice to be able to kick in more on the chute" ...and Dustin's group skipped the switchbacks and climbed the chute instead. ...so there you go... it IS possible.
