I got this question as a Private Message:
> A few of us in the group are toying with the idea of being on the summit for sunrise on the 19th.
1. Does our entire group need to start the hike together, or are we 'legal' as long as we all enter the Whitney Zone on the 18th?
You aren't required to hike together. But if you do hike separately, each member should have a copy of the permit with the leader's name and the permit number. The leader is technically responsible for the group, though.
> 2. Could we start hiking on the 17th, say around 10 pm, as long as we don't enter the Whitney Zone until 12am? The idea would to setup camp around at Outpost around 2 or 230am, get some sleep, spend the day around camp napping/hanging out, then start for the summit around 10pm on the 18th.
Technically, yes, anyone can hike up to Lone Pine Lake point without any permit, and then continue up the trail beyond, at midnight. If you set up camp at 2-3 AM, be sure to be very quiet so you don't disturb the others already camping there.
