Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Summit Times and Bears

On average, how long has it taken you to summit?

I'm hiking solo and a little spooked about bears. Any suggestions (maybe a flashing light on my backpack) or perhaps stay close to the hoards of european tourists who take all the permits ? Had to get it off my chest.

Hmmm...3 or 4 days depending upon the route I take. I've seen 4 bears in the wilderness in 18 years of California hiking...3 of them in Ice House Canyon the other above Onion Valley Campground.

I would not worry about bears. The last incident I've heard about where there was an injury was at Chicken Spring Lake a few years ago. The bear took a camper food and the camper decided it was in his best interest to get it back from the bear. You will never guess who won that argument.

Yeah, I almost tangled with a bear once, under the same circumstances. Younger and crazier, I chased the bear because he stole my pack.

The bear problem is at Whitney Portal, in the Oh-dark-thirty (early and dark) hours of the morning when hikers are getting ready to hike. Set your pack down and walk a few feet away, and a bear could swoop in, grab it and run. So, keep the pack INSIDE the car or a bear locker, with the doors closed.

The bear won't bother you if it is on your back or in your hand.

As for summit times: The average is somewhere between 6 and 12 hours.

The hordes of euros bring a lot of money into a needy area. Locals can still get permits and get to have a lot more fun in the shoulder seasons.

I hiked Whitney for the first time back on June 12. I am by no means in excellent condition, and it took me 8 hours to summit (and 8 more to get back down).

As far as bears, I have been fortunate (?) enough to see three in the last 4 weeks after seeing one in my previous 35 years of off and on hiking and fishing. I did not see one at Whitney. Just lots of overly bold Marmots and a couple of deer. I saw a black as sin black bear up at Whiskeytown NRA near the end of a 17 mile hike at the much too close for comfort distance of 60 feet. Saw a golden brown bear at the Happy Isles (I think that's what the area is called) at Yosemite Valley the day after my hike up Whitney, but at a much more comfortable 200 feet or so. Then I just saw another golden brown bear at the Kings Creek Campground in Lassen NP earlier today at a distance of 150 feet. I think that should fill my quota for awhile.

16.3 years.