Quick question regarding longer trips that one might want to originate from Whitney Portal. Think HST Westbound, JMT Northbound, or simply a multi-day backpack in the wilderness exiting at another location like Onion Valley or Horseshoe Meadows.
My assumption (which seems to be supported by information I've found elsewhere online) has always been that you need to either score a Whitney Permit in the lottery or pick-up available/cancelled permits through the various means of doing so online or in-person. However, I do have a question about this that I can't seem to find an answer to.
Let's assume I do score a permit in the lottery, but it is a day use only permit (versus overnight). Can that be used to summit Whitney within the designated day, but then exit down the western slope toward Crabtree Meadows and continue along another itinerary? Technically, one would only be in the Whitney Zone during the time indicated on the permit. However, it's not something I would want to try unless I knew for sure that is allowed. Just curious if anybody has any insight.
