Hi Jan, welcome.
Nov 2 is the first day of winter season, so permits are free on a walk-in basis. You can walk into the Visitor Center just south of Lone Pine and ask for one the day prior to hiking.
Watch the weather CLOSELY! See the Weather page link to the left. I like the NOAA weather site the best. If weather is anything but sunny and dry, don't go, or only climb until you hit foul conditions and turn around. People have been rescued the past several days because they ignored that advice.
You won't need ice axe. Crampons only if there is lots of snow. Micro spikes will be good.
There will be almost nobody else on the trail Nov 2, since it is Monday, and summer hiking is really over. Thinking about it, you will be lucky if you see anyone else at all.
Good luck, and please do report back your experiences!!
