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#14
#25120 06/15/12 03:55 PM
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We woke up at 3:30 in Bishop and Decided to head down and get a quick Whitney trip in.We left the Portal at 5:00 on the money and made summit at 9:20 AM quick round of pictures , and back down. We got to the store at portal 12:40 PM. Just in time for a cheeseburger and those great french fries . It was once again a perfect day ,not many people on the trail , but those that were seemed to be having a good time. Trail is in perfect shape. Hope you all have a good weekend on Whitney those of you who are heading up its warm so leave all your winter clothes at the bottom ........ We saw too many people carrying heavy packs again. That i don't quit understand.

MW85

Last edited by mountainwalker85; 06/15/12 07:00 PM.
Re: #14
Davey McCoy #25146 06/16/12 08:46 AM
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Weather forecast for Mt. Whitney: http://timberlinetrails.net/WhitneyWeather.html

So...don't leave warm clothes at home, unless you plan on staying in your car. But on the other hand, SAR needs a little more work...

Re: #14
Bob West #25147 06/16/12 11:18 AM
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Funny guy yea? I guess you guys will always look for the fault , logic is one thing packing your closet is another. I suppose you pack the closet and are hyper sensitive to a little wind or maybe even a thunder cloud or maybe??????

MW85

Re: #14
Davey McCoy #25153 06/16/12 04:58 PM
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I'm headed up in another week and was hoping to be able to leave my jacket in the car (it doesn't pack well). Based on the time and weather you were there would you say a couple thin long shirts and a beanie are sufficient (and a packable rainshell)? I don't need to be ultralight but would like to at least ditch the fleece layer if possible since I have a smallish pack (osprey manta 25).
What did you wear?

Last edited by jondotcom; 06/16/12 05:05 PM.
Re: #14
jondotcom #25155 06/16/12 05:27 PM
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I know that this opens up a can of worms in the "what to wear" category, but I don't head up to 14K without 1) some thin waterproof shell 2)an insulating layer to wear under it, ie, a down sweater or lt fleece (I have worn this combo down to 26F). Keep in mind that for MW85, Whitney seems to be a quick morning workout smile for most people, it is an all-day into the early evening trek that ends with one being either tired or near-exhausted.

I agree, MW85, I don't pack a closet, either. For a 3-day Whitney b-back trip (that included an overnight on the summit at temps of 19F) pack weighed 21 pounds, and I did not have to compromise on warmth (it was late Sept with a huge storm that hit less than a week later)


The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
Re: #14
Davey McCoy #25157 06/16/12 06:09 PM
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Well, touched a nerve have we? Who said anything about "packing your closet"? It's always wise to be prepared to spend the night in an unexpected bivvy; unless one feels invince-able and of a stature far above the crowd of ordinary climbers and hikers.

Your criticism of hikers who carry heavy packs is entirely unwarranted and ego-centric.

Re: #14
Bob West #25158 06/16/12 06:28 PM
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Bee-Bob-A-LuLu?


Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII
Re: #14
jondotcom #25159 06/16/12 06:32 PM
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For all of you out there here it is. In my pack i always have a thermo blanket, for the unfortunate over night, one down Jacket sweater, one rain wind shell, one pair of extra socks, two beanies, one pair of winter gloves ,also one pair light gloves , rain pants by CAMP super light, head lamp, SPOT device if there were an emergency , medication if someone gets hurt, long johns,and a #2 patagonia extra shirt.... I leave this time of year in shorts running shoes light weight #1 long sleeve and a short sleeve, plus 2lbs of food its not ultra light , always around 15 lbs oh and a camera . Bob say what you will people do carry a lot of unneeded gear, I was trying to be helpful, for the day hikers !!!!!!!!

MW85

Re: #14
Bob West #25160 06/16/12 06:34 PM
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Bob

Criticism hardly , read again it simply said i don't quit understand why they carry such heavy packs. I always feel empathetic for those who are struggling while trying to reach the summit,and are not making great progress due to having to much weight, and those that turn around from exhaustion , my hope is everybody reaches the summit , and maybe if they have a little insight to what can be left behind it will increase their chances!! Thats all Mr BOB just like i said earlier trying to be helpful not Ego- Centric as you say..

Last edited by mountainwalker85; 06/16/12 06:50 PM.
Re: #14
Davey McCoy #25161 06/16/12 06:35 PM
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That is actually MORE than I carry! The basics are about the same, just less variety. I believe that the conversation about "what to wear" (or bring) is always useful and timely, as I have picked up a lot of tips (like always carrying a headlamp after a few "bumpy" experiences)


The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
Re: #14
Bee #25163 06/16/12 06:52 PM
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Having said all that for all of you who attempt Mt. Whitney ,i wish you the very best of luck, and hope you all reach the summit as it is a very special place..

MW85

Last edited by mountainwalker85; 06/16/12 07:20 PM.
Re: #14
Davey McCoy #25164 06/16/12 06:58 PM
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Thanks this is very helpful and I'll make room for the fleece and the extras I already made room for for the "just-in-case."

When I read, "its warm so leave all your winter clothes at the bottom," I assumed I was being paranoid.

Last edited by jondotcom; 06/16/12 07:00 PM.
Re: #14
Davey McCoy #25165 06/16/12 07:05 PM
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MW85,

I may have missed some of your preliminary discussions about how long you have lived local, been doing Whitney, etc., but I gather that it is your local 'go-to' mountain when, say, you don't have the time et al for another trip (I do the same thing with a local mountain here, so that if I have obligations later in the day, I can still keep my 'sea legs') My question is: by turning what is such a huge undertaking for most into a "morning workout", what is it that you can say that you continue to fine-tune about the trek even at this point?....(I'll take my answer off-air)(I just wanted to say that because all of the talk show callers always say this!!)


The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
Re: #14
jondotcom #25166 06/16/12 07:11 PM
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jondotcom

Here's a link to a post that was started last year about what to carry after a unusually big thunderstorm caused a lot of damage on the Main Trail and caught many people unprepared.

http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/17126/1





Re: #14
Bee #25168 06/16/12 07:43 PM
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I grew up in Mammoth Lakes, I reside in Bishop, I travel between3,500 to 5000 miles a year on foot in the Mountains local and abroad, Whitney is my training ground for several reasons, elevation being #1 as it is as high as we have, the great trail #2 for consistent moving we don't stop much, #3 all the other options to reach the summit.. My respect for the mountains is pure with the greatest respect as i have been in situations were people didn't come home, and i have two children at home 15 and 13 so my obligations to them dictate my times up and down, I also have a great respect for one gentleman who does the trek weekly and we have formed a friendship and he has inspired us to go once a week as he does, and our journeys help him as well. Whitney is a special place and our weekly jaunts are for personal growth in fitness and heart , but we spend a lot of time through out the Sierra 12 months a year. I truly hope all these blogs help people who are not as lucky to be so close to these Magical Mountains We are never trying to discourage people only encourage!!!!

MW85

Re: #14
Davey McCoy #25170 06/16/12 08:17 PM
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The blogs are indeed helpful, as are the minor insights that come with repetition. Your weekly "bud" has become sort of the Whitney Weatherman cum Cable Conditions Guy! It is really nice to know that folks with families plan their days & risks accordingly. Very responsible.


The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
Re: #14
Davey McCoy #25173 06/17/12 03:52 AM
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Originally Posted By: mountainwalker85
I travel between 3,500 to 5000 miles a year on foot in the Mountains local and abroad.


Holy smokes! If I can get 350 miles and 100K' in per year I'm feeling like Superman. With those mileage numbers in the Sierra, you've gotta be gobbling up a million vertical feet or more per year! Hats off, MW - that's a stratospheric number.

Whitney as a morning workout. Damn. The JMT as a weekend backpack?

Re: #14
Davey McCoy #25176 06/17/12 08:45 AM
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Up Whitney in 4 hours and 20 minutes! Does anyone go faster? I enjoy all your posts. I relate to your ongoing self challenge to go further and faster.

Re: #14
Davey McCoy #25179 06/17/12 11:48 AM
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I'm sure I was one of those wearing too heavy of a pack... I had it though to carry gear for others in my group. They were less experienced hikers and the altitude really got to them. We did summit all with no signs of AMS. Next time, I will take a lighter pack though. The weather was perfect and most of the extra clothing we had packed stayed in the bag. By the end of the day on Friday, I thought I'd never want to hike Whitney again, but by yesterday those thoughts were gone and I'm already looking to plan the next trip. For myself, it looks that I had about the same amount of gear packed, but with he extra food and clothing for two others, it weighed me down quite a bit... Thanks for all your posts.

Re: #14
Davey McCoy #25181 06/17/12 02:00 PM
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MH85

Sorry if I steped on your toes a little hard; my sincere apologies. I have an argumentation nature, and can't help it sometimes. I didn't realize you were such an experienced mountain hiker - all the best to you. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and ignore the cranky old critics like me.

Wow, you carry more than I do on a day hike; maybe I need to be a little more careful in future and carry a little more food. I was gratified to see that you also carry a Spot Messenger - goood advice for any hiker.

I don't know who you are, except that you live in Bishop, but you know my name; perhaps we will meet someday in Wilson's Eastside Sports and have a friendly conversation. Best of luck. Cheers!

Last edited by Bob West; 06/17/12 02:01 PM.
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