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Mountaineer's Route - Crampons Need for this Weekend?
#18360 09/14/11 08:41 AM
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stungry Offline OP
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I'm headed up the MR this weekend on an overnight trip. Clearly there was some snow fall last weekend and this week. Anybody have any idea how much acculation there was and what the coverage might be like this weekend?

Are crampons needed?

I haven't seen any trip reports with info on the MR since the storm passed. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

Re: Mountaineer's Route - Crampons Need for this Weekend?
stungry #18367 09/14/11 03:18 PM
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To answer my own question:

Originally Posted By: Justhavnfun
Myself and 5 others just came off Whitney Monday for our 1-day hike. There was snow and some ice starting at the switchbacks all the way to the summit. It became very technical and slow for us as we just had regular hiking boots. I would say there is 3-6 inches of snow. You have to be careful on the backside and about 2:30 pm it snowed until 6:30. I would've felt more comfortable personally if I had crampons just because it was my first time doing Whitney. It got very cold, it rained and snowed but luckily not too windy. We really lucked out on the weather Monday. At trail camp a kind group camping there offered us hot chocolate and soup and other things to us as were cold, hungry and thirsty. Incredible experience in which I will forget.


In case there are updates from others: http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/18337/MR_MT_Summit_Conditions#Post18337

Re: Mountaineer's Route - Crampons Need for this Weekend?
stungry #18368 09/14/11 03:56 PM
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Unfortunately, that report was for the Main Trail.

The Mountaineers Route will be less than idea. ...how much less is a big question.

Re: Mountaineer's Route - Crampons Need for this Weekend?
stungry #18380 09/15/11 06:07 AM
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Originally Posted By: stungry
Are crampons needed?


Pack 'em and a helmet, too.


Journey well...
Re: Mountaineer's Route - Crampons Need for this Weekend?
stungry #18424 09/15/11 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted By: stungry
I'm headed up the MR this weekend on an overnight trip. Clearly there was some snow fall last weekend and this week. Anybody have any idea how much acculation there was and what the coverage might be like this weekend?

Are crampons needed?

I haven't seen any trip reports with info on the MR since the storm passed. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!


I doubt the crampons will help you. I'm guessing you'll encounter a slippery, thin layer of snow and ice. You'll destroy your crampons walking on this and granite, and more importantly, you might hurt yourself from awkwardly hiking and climbing in them. It looks like a nasty combination of just enough snow and ice to make things treacherous, but not enough, or consolidated, to make the crampons effective. You'll also probably be frustrated and pulling your hair out from putting them on, taking them off, putting them on, taking them off...

I doubt you'll need them for the chute, but I wouldn't want to to wear them going up the Final 400 with this thin layer of snow and ice. Then again, I wouldn't want to go up some narrow slippery ledges right now with just my boots either. Best of luck, and hope the snow melts enough to make your trip safe this weekend.

P.S. Let me know how it goes. smile I might go up the following weekend. Thanks.

Last edited by 2600fromatari; 09/15/11 08:49 PM.
Re: Mountaineer's Route - Crampons Need for this Weekend?
Anonymous1 #18437 09/16/11 07:46 AM
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i'll second that, headed up sunday 9/25 - curious what it looks like up there, i know someone going up this weekend - should have his trail report tuesday...

Re: Mountaineer's Route - Crampons Need for this Weekend?
Anonymous1 #18483 09/18/11 11:24 AM
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Looks like it's out of my comfort zone and capabilities right now:

http://hughmahoney.com/index.php/blog/73-mt-whitney-2011

I refuse to do the traverse...ever, and the final 400 looks like a slip waiting to happen. Guess I'll wait for next year and some deep, consolidated snow...

Re: Mountaineer's Route - Crampons Need for this Weekend?
Anonymous1 #18498 09/18/11 07:18 PM
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kurt wedberg's photos from the mountaineers route this past saturday...looks like fun up there!

http://www.kurtwedbergphotography.com/Si...5059066_gnJfPGk

Re: Mountaineer's Route - Crampons Need for this Weekend?
baercave #18501 09/18/11 08:52 PM
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As I posted on the other board, I'm very surprised they went up with only boots, but that's why I have a day job I plan to keep and he does this for a living. laugh

Originally Posted By: baercave
kurt wedberg's photos from the mountaineers route this past saturday...looks like fun up there!

http://www.kurtwedbergphotography.com/Si...5059066_gnJfPGk

Re: Mountaineer's Route - Crampons Need for this Weekend?
baercave #18502 09/18/11 08:55 PM
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Looks like technical equipment required, too. Thanks for the link.

Here's picture #80 from the Final 400, Sept 17, 2011.   (One of Kurt's clients)



Picture #69, also in the Final 400.



For those who may not know, Kurt Wedberg is owner and lead guide at Sierra Mountaineering International.


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