Any advice for camping at summit of Mt. Whitney in mid September, particularly as to how to get a decent nights rest?

If you decide to camp in one of the man-made "bunkers" (areas surrounded by rocks) Beeee verrrry careful about inspecting the area before you set up camp, because the "privacy" afforded by those bunkers also lends them to becoming informal crappers -- complete with [i]very shallow[/i] covering of the fecal matter....thus....you may get a "surprise" on the back of your ground cloth (it happened to one of the hikers in our group)(it IS as disgusting as it sounds)

I was there to witness what Bee describes. I thought the poor dude was wretching and gagging due to AMS. They explained to me the real cause. As for sleeping on the summit: It's tough to get "a decent nights rest", due to the thin air. Unless you are [u]well[/u] acclimated, you run the risk of not feeling that great. I have used Diamox to help with the altitude, and OTC sleep aids (diphenhydramine, as in Benadryl or Tylenol PM) to help with sleep. Having written that, I've slept on the summit several times, because watching the sunset and the sunrise from that spot is always memorable. No matter what discomfort may occur, it is worth the trouble. One time in June, it was about the coldest night I have ever experienced... about 20 F. Slept in a tent, but was pretty miserable. Couldn't get off the summit quickly enough. Another time, after spending 3 nights prior on the trail, it was so pleasant that no tent was necessary. There was light frost on my bag. Slept inside the hut a third time. Pretty nice if it is cold and breezy outside. When you go, you have to carry about a gallon of water -- enough to drink on the way up, some for night/morning meals or snacks, and a little to get you back down.

[quote=Steve C] One time in June, it was about the coldest night I have ever experienced... about 20 F. Slept in a tent, but was pretty miserable. Couldn't get off the summit quickly enough. [/quote] Our low on Sept 28th was 19 F (the hut felt crazy warm when I visited in the morning!) I was quite comfy with a 20 degree bag + down jacket & pants in a bivvy, however, one guy went "ultra light" and paid the price of no sleep (he FLEW off the mountain that morning)

You should have some very warm clothes and sleeping bag. I've been on the summit 3 times at dawn on the Sierra Crest 2 other times before sunrise. A couple of the times the temperature was below 10* F. All but one of those times the wind was 20+ MPH. The last last time it was just below freezing with just a bit of a breeze.