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Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
#33563 10/01/13 05:14 PM
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First I want to thank Steve and John and everyone who answered my questions about the mountain conditions and preparations. English is not my first language so apologize if I'm not clear.

This report will focus on the preparation of a MR hike. It's my personal opinion and I hope it can help future hikers!

1. The Permit.

I didn't have a permit and I needed 5 for my group. My target date is 9/21/2013, the 3rd Saturday in September. According to historical data I'd be ok, but weekends are not sure. What happened was I was able to buy 3 permits a week prior the date by checking the online system 3 times a day. I paid $51 total for those 3 permits. I needed 2 more.

So when I was driving to Lone Pine from SFO on Friday morning, I received an email at 1:45PM, saying that I am a noshow!! What?? I immediately called the office and they said they thought I would be a no show because I didn't confirm. So that's what the confirm means, I guess you must call them and tell them that you WILL be picking up the permits. They are very helpful and I told them I am 10 minutes away. I arrived at 1:55PM at the ranger station and just barely got my 3 reserved permits, and there are a bunch of people waiting for free permits. We had 21 at that point (day permits). This is what happened, we are asked to have 1 person per group to do a lottery to decide our order. We had 5 groups for 21 permits, so it should be good as long as the 1st group doesn't take all 21 permits. We were number 2 and we got 2 free permits and I think everyone got theirs too. BUT, it you arrive later than 2pm for freebies, I'm not sure how many will be left.

By the way our permits were not checked during our hike.

The Start:


You should rest well, and you can rent a room at the mt. whitney hostel for like $90, you shouldn't rent a bed because you can't sleep. It's 25 minutes from the hostel to the trailhead. And for a fit hiking team, you should still start at about 4am, that's what I planned for. For special reasons we started at 5am. I knew it was late.


2. The Route to E-ledge.

So the thing is you definitely do need to check out the route that led to the ledge if you haven't hiked this before. After we grabbed our permit, we headed to the trailhead and it took us just about 1hr 15 minutes to get on the ledge and walked to the turn up point. This will give you confidence because you will be hiking in the dark for this part. And it's not exactly straight forward.

Here it is: cross one stream, right before you reach another stream (about 20 minutes), you see a sign said "North Fork Lone Pine Creek", and now you look to your right and there's a sort of faint trail lead uphill. You take it. You go uphill, when you saw giant rock wall to your right the first time, you ignore it, the second time it appears to your left, you ignore it and follow the trail to go right. You MUST cross stream twice again! And then you'll see it. It looks just like on the internet, pretty straightforward. So you start the climb right after you pass the stream the second time, after that it's easy.

The part from the lone pine sign to the beginning of the ledge is what you need to check, so you can easily do this in the dark.

3. The E-ledge

You've all seen it, it's really not bad. Nope. Of course, don't fall. But the ledge is not that narrow. When you turn back up to the left, remember to go all the way to the top of the edge when you can touch the rock wall and then you have 0 exposure, and you have a trail. There is also another trail in the middle that goes left and I took that one myself a little bit. I think that was the old trail. After maybe 30 minutes you arrive at the lower boyscott lake, there is pretty much no chance you'll get lost. It's all trails.

4. Lower Lake to Upper Lake

Again you've all seen this below image, target the two giant boulders and really, really stay low, the trail is immediately to the right of the smaller boulder that is lower.

Once you gained the giant slab, you will be walking on the slabs for a bit, here you navigate by looking for cairns, and it's generally not too bad, you stay close to the lone pine creek, go left, right a little bit, drink some water, and generally go up. And after maybe 1 hour you will see another lake, the upper lake. You stop as soon as you see the lake, because this is the time you turn left (south). You don't get to the lake.







5. Upper Lake to Iceberg Lake.


As you turn left (south), you start to go uphill, and you can't see Mt. Whitney for a while because you are trying to go around this plateau and find a chance to climb it. Good thing is that there is a trail to follow. This part is more difficult than the previous part. It's just a lot of climb. When you go for another 1 hour, you are getting closer to the mountain. And you just know it's time to climb back up to your right, you need to gain that plateau. This is hands on climbing and there is not exactly a trail to follow, but the rocks are solid and the climb is short, you will gain the plateau easily and there is Mt. Whitney and the iceberg lake.


6. The Iceberg Lake to the Notch.


Walk the 3 minutes to the lake and drink water and eat. In reality, the colouir looks steep than it appears on the photo. And when you climb it, it also feels steeper. The steepest part is the upper part of the colouir where you generally turn right to try to gain the notch. Our phone GPS recorded 43 degrees (87%). So the colouir is pretty straightforward, it's right there. Even a slight trail leading up to it. Not too bad. We took the main colouir, not the one to the left (appears to be the other side of the triangle). The reason is the main colouir seems to be less steep (we know the rocks are bad). I launched a pretty big rock down and you definitely need to stay close and wear helmets. As you climb up to the point where you turn right generally, you look back and you realize it's really steep. And it gets steeper from here. There is no trail and I encountered a choke point just about at the middle of the colouir. It can be climbed around to your right. So that's the really steep part. And the rocks are generally getting a little better as you go up higher. It took us 3 hours to climb this colouir (we were waiting for one slower member) to get to the notch.




7. The Notch to the Top via the final 400.


At this point, it's like 2:15pm. It's not what I'd like (I planned to be on top by 1pm), but at this point you can only go up. So the final 400 is very straightforward, doesn't look too bad. At this point we met a group of hikers returning from the 'traverse', I asked them about the condition, because I heard it was really slippery and bad, they said it was ok and that was also the way they took up. I looked at my team and we decided to take the final 400. It's really short.

So we start the climb, which is the most difficult part. But really, if you have team members, they can help you and it's no problem. (knowing that you don't have to down climb, of course) After the initial part, we stayed generally to the left, as recommended. There were only two icy spots in the middle. So we didn't take the middle. Just a little bit, not extremely, to the left. And you go, and go, and you find a part where you can't go directly up anymore because it's almost vertical. You look to your right and you realized you have to make a lateral move and that's it. This lateral move is interesting. It's a very narrow ledge. One of my team member does rock climbing, so she climbed directly up to the ledge and then moved to the right. I stayed to the left and made a super awkward move to the right on the ledge. This is technically the most difficult part and you can't fall. I don't think you would, if you take your time. But if there is ice here, I'd have to abandon the hike. Or maybe even just have to down climb this, I'd also have to abandon the hike. Our route appears to be exactly the red line (easiest line) in Bob's route report. It's pretty natural.

The below picture is right after that lateral move, you are ready to gain the summit, easily.



8. The 11 miles back.

Sot it's 3pm when we summited! So late! Oh well, it took us another 7 hours to get back to the trailhead. The thing about Mt. Whitney trail is that it has so many switchbacks, and you don't lose elevation in the first 2-3 miles, you actually gain some more. We also had gust to 65mph and you get cold quickly. All you can do is to get as low as possible before it's completely dark. We got back down to the trail camp when it's almost dark. And the trail is not that easy to follow, that's why you need to start early to avoid this kind of situation. After the 99 switchbacks to the trail camp. you go down and I think you have another 200 switchbacks, it was worse than the 99 switchbacks, for sure. We got back at the car at 10:15pm, making it a 17 hour hike.



9. The altitude sickness, drive from Bay Area.


We didn't feel much altitude but we did go very slowly... I took one advil at the lower lake and I didn't feel a thing later. I had altitude sickness when I was climbing Mt. Elbert in Colorado.

I took 108 cross Yosemite and I regretted it. I should've taken the 120, or the I-5 to go south and go through Bakersfield, which is our way back. It was easy driving and maybe 60-70 miles more, but easy driving.

Last edited by sm0421; 10/01/13 06:12 PM.
Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
sm0421 #33566 10/01/13 07:29 PM
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No one believes me when I tell them the worst part of the Whitney Trail are the switchbacks down lower at the Portal on the return trip. People make such a big deal about the 97/99 Switchbacks but the ones in the forest are murder coming back down.

Congrats on a successful trip. Only thing is I wouldn't advise anyone to sleep at any of the hostels/hotels before the hike/climb. Some people aren't affected, but a lot of people, myself included, would bonk out from not acclimating at the Portal.

Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
Anonymous1 #33577 10/02/13 07:36 AM
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The switchbacks lower in the forest destroy your hope... it was dark and you don't seem to be able to lose much elevation! Devastating for sure smile

Originally Posted By: 2600fromatari
No one believes me when I tell them the worst part of the Whitney Trail are the switchbacks down lower at the Portal on the return trip. People make such a big deal about the 97/99 Switchbacks but the ones in the forest are murder coming back down.

Congrats on a successful trip. Only thing is I wouldn't advise anyone to sleep at any of the hostels/hotels before the hike/climb. Some people aren't affected, but a lot of people, myself included, would bonk out from not acclimating at the Portal.

Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
sm0421 #33578 10/02/13 08:13 AM
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Thanks for that report, SM; one of the best detailed reports I've seen on the MR, especially your photographs 6 and 7. Your photos really put the MR in perspective vis a vis the scale of the thing. You ought to be writing guide books. Good job!

Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
sm0421 #33697 10/09/13 10:23 AM
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Hi Alex,
Congratulations to you and your group!
I really enjoyed your Trip Report. I felt that I was right there with you.
Any comments on how you might compare the MR with other hikes you have done?
Hwy 120, when it is open, is by far the best route from the bay area. The drive through Yosemite Park/Tuolumne meadows is very nice, and on week days does not really slow you down much. Normally faster than Bakersfield, and always much prettier.
Regards,
John


Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
John Sims #33714 10/10/13 08:34 AM
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John,

I think MR route is the most difficult day-hike I have done.

It provided good training for my Granite Peak climb scheduled for aug 2014. I first attempted Granite Peak in aug 2012 via the SW coloir route, which I read was a class-3 route, I turned around at the beginning of the actual class-3 climb, due to fear of exposed scramble. I think the SW coloir is comparable to the MR final climb in terms of the steepness. The SW coloir is actually steeper and the rocks are looser, and more exposed, but comparable.

I am now better prepared.

Originally Posted By: John Sims
Hi Alex,
Congratulations to you and your group!
I really enjoyed your Trip Report. I felt that I was right there with you.
Any comments on how you might compare the MR with other hikes you have done?
Hwy 120, when it is open, is by far the best route from the bay area. The drive through Yosemite Park/Tuolumne meadows is very nice, and on week days does not really slow you down much. Normally faster than Bakersfield, and always much prettier.
Regards,
John


Last edited by sm0421; 10/10/13 08:35 AM.
Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
sm0421 #33716 10/10/13 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted By: sm0421
John,

I think MR route is the most difficult day-hike I have done.

It provided good training for my Granite Peak climb scheduled for aug 2014. I first attempted Granite Peak in aug 2012 via the SW coloir route, which I read was a class-3 route, I turned around at the beginning of the actual class-3 climb, due to fear of exposed scramble. I think the SW coloir is comparable to the MR final climb in terms of the steepness. The SW coloir is actually steeper and the rocks are looser, and more exposed, but comparable.

I am now better prepared.

]

Hi Alex,
Very interesting hike. Distance seems a bit longer than MR (but perhaps similar to the "loop"). Do you plan to do this as a day hike? I guess more remote/less traveled than Whitney, but not as high, so acclimatization should be less of an issue.
Grizzlies and goats should add another element of excitement (if encountered).
Looks like a worthy test. Please post if/when you go.
Regards,
John

Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
John Sims #33717 10/10/13 11:36 AM
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What is this Granite Peak, with grizzlies and goats? confused confused

Please hand us a clue!

Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
Steve C #33718 10/10/13 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted By: Steve C
What is this Granite Peak, with grizzlies and goats? confused confused

Please hand us a clue!


Don't forget the polar bears! wink

Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
Steve C #33719 10/10/13 12:29 PM
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Goldylocks

Last edited by John Sims; 10/10/13 01:04 PM.
Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
Steve C #33721 10/10/13 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted By: Steve C
What is this Granite Peak, with grizzlies and goats? confused confused

Please hand us a clue!


Montana...Granite Peak is the highest point in MT...12,799


Journey well...
Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
John Sims #33727 10/10/13 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted By: John Sims
Goldylocks


Y'all better start dealin' straight with me or I'll ...I'll SHUTDOWN this outfit!!! wink

Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
Steve C #33728 10/10/13 05:30 PM
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[/quote]

Y'all better start dealin' straight with me or I'll ...I'll SHUTDOWN this outfit!!! wink [/quote]

Hummmmmmm, Might you be contemplating a run for office within the Republican Party?

Goldylocks--> yellow hair ==> Custer ==> location. Not nearly as obtuse as what the heck happened here. You think?

Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
Steve C #33731 10/11/13 07:54 AM
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Originally Posted By: Steve C
Originally Posted By: John Sims
Goldylocks


Y'all better start dealin' straight with me or I'll ...I'll SHUTDOWN this outfit!!! wink


Steve, you visited this state this summer...big land, big sky...


Journey well...
Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
+ @ti2d #33732 10/11/13 07:54 AM
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Originally Posted By: + @ti2d


Montana...Granite Peak is the highest point in MT...12,799


Steve, I am surprised you did not attempt this...



Journey well...
Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
+ @ti2d #33733 10/11/13 08:25 AM
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I'm a softie when I'm on a family trip. Shoot! Now I see it is nestled close to Yellowstone, so I was really close.

Oh well, maybe next time.

Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
Steve C #33735 10/11/13 10:44 AM
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Steve, here is a TR to make you want to do it next time.

Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
Steve C #33736 10/11/13 12:21 PM
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Hi Steve,

Here are some pictures I borrowed from the internet, to show you the final class3/class4 climb part.

Granite Peak is the highest peak in Montana and the SW couloir route is easier compared the main route (class5).

Originally Posted By: Steve C
What is this Granite Peak, with grizzlies and goats? confused confused

Please hand us a clue!











Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
John Sims #33737 10/11/13 12:24 PM
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John,

3-day backpacking. We encountered many goats last year.





Originally Posted By: John Sims


Hi Alex,
Very interesting hike. Distance seems a bit longer than MR (but perhaps similar to the "loop"). Do you plan to do this as a day hike? I guess more remote/less traveled than Whitney, but not as high, so acclimatization should be less of an issue.
Grizzlies and goats should add another element of excitement (if encountered).
Looks like a worthy test. Please post if/when you go.
Regards,
John

Re: Mountaineer's Route 9-21-2013
bobpickering #33739 10/11/13 02:02 PM
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Nice writeup, Bob. ...Mercy, that was from 1998! Time sure flies! That was the year of my first ascent of the MR on Whitney.

Your description makes it sound like it was a tough hike. Raises some questions...

By "snow bridge", was that a narrow crest of snow on the ridge between Tempest Mountain and Granite Peak? I'm assuming it is not a bridge over a stream.

Is the rock really granite, or some mis-named sedimentary rock?

Your report says the plateau was really tough. On the topo map it appears pretty gentle. Is it really rough and broken, or was the trouble due to the rain?

Here's a link to the Gmap4 map of Granite Peak, Montana.

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