Actually, the Wilderness Permit office is the number to call about these issues: 760-873-2483
Ummm... I never got that email, but maybe people from the lottery did. You don't actually need to "confirm" online, since showing up in person at the Visitor Center in Lone Pine when you pick up the actual permit is all the "confirmation" they need.
It was explained to me last year that the permits for people who confirm online are not subsequently released to the no-show pool at the regular deadline (noon the day before for day hikes, and 10 AM on the entry date for overnight hikes.)
So the bottom line: If you confirm online, and then don't show up, your permit is not available to anyone else. If you don't confirm, nothing happens as long as you pick up before the deadline. If you do confirm, then you can pick up your permit later (but I sure wouldn't take that chance without calling the Wilderness Permit Office).
