Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion June Hike, hoping to be on the summit for Sunrise

View from Langley might be "just as nice".

Keep watching the trip reports. You may well make it with Whitney, but even if not, lots of options.

Hi John,

I'm hoping a few people will head up Memorial Day weekend and post reports.

I've been looking at Langley and White Mtn Peak, as well as the hikes suggested by wbtravis above.

Do you think it's likely that Langley will be 'safe' before Whitney?

I called White Mountain Ranger Station today. They told me that they're sending someone up tomorrow to see what sort of condition the road to White Mtn Peak is in.

63: Langley has fewer steep sections, and the final approach is south-facing. New Army Pass will have snow on it yet. Steep, but not nearly as long a climb as the Whitney "chute" west of the switchbacks. It will be safer and safe sooner. But you will still encounter snow.

If you guys go, it will be a great experience, regardless of whether you summit.

By the way, Richard P's pictures: You can climb Whitney a dozen times, and not get the misty pictures like his. He climbed on a once-in-a-blue-moon day to get those.

September 2013. Can anyone really lose on a Whitney sunrise summit?

I've been on the ridge twice and on the summit twice as sun rise. The only way you could get me to give up being on the summit at sunrise is to add snow or going via the MR...which is on the my list of things to do.

And I prefer to do it during a new moon.

Snow/ice in the dark is something that I've been thinking about. It's one thing to hike the trail with these conditions in daylight during the warmer parts of the day, another to do it in the dark when things could be slick.

Due to the timing of everything (my wife, son and mother-in-law will be staying in a hotel June 3rd, our permits for June 3), we want to be done hiking around 2 pm on June 4.

Here is what I would do, if I were in your position...

I would figure the worst ice at the cables because that is where the put those damn things. This is the area that will stop you in your tracks...if anything is going to. If this area is a above your pay grade, stop, take a nap and wait for enough light for you to deem it safe to continue.

From experience, getting to Trail Crest will accomplish most of what you are seeking seeing the sunrise over the Inyos, the sun hitting Mt. Hitchcock and possibly a shadow of the ridge out on the western horizon.

Great Photos Akichow!

September sunrise summits are my favorite way to climb Whitney (2 years running now for me, going for three?)

Sometimes it's nicer when you're not on the summit.

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2600fromatari

I'm sure you hear it all the time, your pictures are killer!