How much water would you guys recommend to carry from Trail Camp to summit and back to Trail Camp?
I've heard 3L+ suggested a few times - but that seems like a lot?
3L is not a lot. As you can see, 3L is generally the rule. Drink one by the time you reach Trail Crest. Stash the empty plus one full at Trail Crest, to drink on the way back. Carry one from trail Crest to the summit, supplement it with snow along the way.
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Back to the main topic, Hiker Stupidity:
mountainman99: Understand that only about 5% (maybe 10%) of Whitney Hikers read forums like this, or do much research about what it takes to summit Mt Whitney. So you're going to see some unusual situations.
My comments:
1. The dude with 7L water: He didnt' make it. My bro tried to do Half Dome once with 3-4L. He didn't make it either.
2. guy and gf: Let's hope they turned around by about Trail Camp. Probably did.
3-4 and most of the others: A few are making it without crampons & ice axe. They certainly get into danger if the slushy snow freezes up. Temperatures are so high these days, though (lows in the 40s), that freeze-up isn't occurring.
Just understand: 99% of the dangerous and risky situations turn out ok. It's the 1% that winds up with an emergency requiring a call to SAR.
As for the litter and WAG bags: There are better solutions to pack-it-out programs, but Inyo N.F. isn't trying them.
