Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Whitney in December - Solo

Hello,

I am interested in climbing Whitney via the Mountaineers Route this coming December (days before Christmas). I've climbed eight peaks in the Andes at high altitude (5,00m - 6,000m range) as well as some climbs in the PNW and in the Whites on the East Coast. If I can't get one of my partners to join I was thinking of going it solo for Whitney.

I wanted to know what the weather has been like in December in recent years and if many people had gone in solo in early winter.

Thanks,

V

There has been snow in November two of the last 3 years.

Every year is different. There was a a year we walked on Lone Pine Lake the first weekend in November. Another year we planned to hike the MMWT in February but it snowed the week before the trip.

You have to keep an eye for reports here, Portal Store Board and Facebook.

The mountaineer must climb with his finger on the pulse of the weather…like an experienced seaman he must be able to smell bad weather before it comes.
Frank Smythe, The Mountain Vision, page 233

V, have you climbed any of those peaks in the dead of winter?

Are you going to try an overnight, or just do a long day climb? The Whitney Portal road is "closed" several miles from Whitney Portal, but if there is no snow, people will drive around the closure. But there can be rocks and ice on the road, as it is not kept clear at all during the winter.

As for weather, there can be long dry spells ...or storms. It will be the luck of the draw. Don't even consider it if there is any level of stormy weather.

Damn Steve, you forgot to mention avalanches across the road, which can happen when your car is parked near the Meysan Lake Trailhead parking area, which is as far as you get most years.

I've parked at the first switchback above the road closure sign and at Portal during winter. I know the risks of doing this because I have climbed over an avalanche and have seen the VW sized rocks on the road.

Every year is different.