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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
CaroMP #37222 06/07/14 06:27 AM
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I'm looking @ the Whitney cam and looking at your photos (especially the guy in shorts/t-shirt - that's my outfit), and it's hard not to just get in the car and go. LOL.

Still, I must tell myself patience grasshopper - 2 more days, and the crowds will have dropped and the conditions improved ...

Last edited by Hobbes; 06/07/14 06:29 AM.
Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Hobbes #37238 06/08/14 09:24 AM
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Jace here from Minnesota. I came to Cali to visit a buddy and thought I'd climb Whitney with him. At the last second he backed out on me, but I decided to drive from San Diego and do it by myself anyway. Here's my trip report from 6/7.

Got up at 4 AM and met two cool guys from L.A. and hiked the whole way up to the summit. I had microspikes and an ice axe with me and they didn't (I didn't use either the whole way up or down) At the switchbacks there were about two or three "hairy" sections. I hit the switchbacks about 8 o'clock and the cables were a little slick, but just fine. There was another switchback shortly above the cables where we actually had to do a little rock climbing to get above it. The last "bad" spot was right above the chute where there was some ice over a fairly narrow switchback with a big drop. The guys I was with had no trekking pole and I had to give them mine to make sure they were safe. I absolutely recommend trekking poles and I think microspikes, which aren't a must, wouldn't be a bad idea for certain areas. All of these spots were easy enough to navigate with a trekking pole and by mid-afternoon, the way down was very easy because of how soft the snow was.

Outside of that, the switchbacks were in perfect shape and despite not getting a chance to acclimate to elevation, I was able to leave San Diego at 5:30 PM on Friday, summit on Saturday at noon, and make it down by 5:30 PM on Saturday. I would definitely not recommend this, but because of my short window in California I had to make it up and down in a day. This was an absolutely breathtaking hike and feel privileged I was able to do it in a day.

I want to thank all of you who've posted in this forum. The constant updates on trip conditions really helped me learn this mountain from afar and plan a safe trip with huge success. I hope my report may help others.

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #37397 06/12/14 12:57 PM
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For several good pictures, check out these posted by Hobbes:

6/11 switchbacks open for business

Here is Hobbes' picture at the cables:


Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #37555 06/17/14 05:13 PM
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Jim F reported this on WPSMB:
Quote:
As of Father"s Day weekend: (June 15)

Snow on the last switchback below the cables and on two switchbacks just above the cables requires focus, but easily dealt with.

Able to walk on solid rock entirely on the inside of the cables. (Thanks to those who rebuilt this passage a couple of years ago.)

From Trail Crest to the Keeler Needle, two remaining patches of snow easily passed.

Excellent track through diminishing snow field on summit plateau.

Spring at 23rd switchback flowing.

Many PCT hikers on the Mountain, as well as some hikers finishing the JMT and High Sierra Trail.

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #37965 06/25/14 12:38 PM
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My daughter and I reached the summit of Mt Whitney on June 24th, at 11:06 AM
The trail is in great condition, portal to hut. A lingering patch of snow against the wall at the cables, and a bit more in two of the switchbacks, very firm on our way up, at about 7:30 am, and soft, as expected, on our way back, at about 1:30 pm. There's also a patch of snow on the back side, after the windows, but in my opinion, if you just watch your step, you should be able to walk on it with no special equipment.

Beautiful weather, really warm. We only needed a sweater, or a light jacket most of the way up from Trail Camp, but other than that, it was short sleeves and shorts all the way. The night temperature at trail camp couldn't have been below 40,and there was very little wind.

The only unfortunate thing was the very high amount of wag bags left over, pretty much everywhere. Most of them on Trail Camp, but we saw a few on the switchbacks, and farther up the trail, beyond the JMT junction.

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #38282 07/04/14 05:48 PM
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Hiked up to Trail Camp on 06/30/14 and the weather was perfect. After setting up our tents, there was a thunderstorm around 3pm. People coming down from the summit said they had hail. We only got heavy rain for approx 15 minutes at the camp.

On 07/01/14, we went to the summit. There is only one patch of snow left. No special equipment is needed. Just be smart. It was a hot trail. Used a ton of sunscreen and water. The water source on the switchback is still there and I highly suggest using it.

The cables are mostly clear of snow. The snow was melting quickly. I drank a ton of water and ate a lot along the way. This was my first time on Whitney. It was challenging/difficult. If you are planning on going, give yourself a ton of time and when you get tired, rest for a while and don't push yourself too much. Hydrate hydrate hydrate!!!


Last edited by Steve C; 07/05/14 09:13 AM.
Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
dave124 #38291 07/05/14 05:08 AM
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Welcome to the board & thank you for the trip report.

Your image should display if you select "using HTML" when you post it.


Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII
Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #39482 08/06/14 10:43 PM
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Summer conditions now. Please watch the weather forecasts as that is the biggest issue during August.

Here's a picture at the cables, July 19:


Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #39483 08/06/14 10:43 PM
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August came in with a big Monsoon storm that blew up from Baja California. Thunderstorms and snow! It will be back to normal in a few days.

This picture was posted on Facebook, by John N:

Mt Whitney - Indian Winter. Aug 4, 2014


One more:

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #39638 08/13/14 09:48 AM
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Any update on the current conditions? Day hiking MT Whitney trail on Friday 8/15. Weather looks stellar. Planning for the worst, hope for the best smile

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
jackdaniels #39640 08/13/14 10:18 AM
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Current trail conditions are as good as the weather. All that ice and snow is gone from the trails, so your main concern should be the weather.

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #39652 08/13/14 08:46 PM
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Conditions have improved greatly since Mon & Tues (Aug 11 & 12). When I left Lone Pine this AM, the skies were clear and there was a slight wind but the weather looked really good.

My hiking group encountered rain, hail, thunder, lightning, high winds and a couple rock slides on Aug 11 & 12. Yesterday, we made it half way up the swithbacks before we turned around. A few of the hikers returning from Trail Crest reported 50 - 60 mile winds and ankle high snow/ice. We did not have Yaktrax or crampons so we ended our attempt frown

Good luck and have a great time!

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #39884 08/22/14 04:59 PM
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Water flow on 97 switchbacks? I'm looking to refill on 8/27 at roughly 6AM. Has anyone noticed how well the water has been flowing (early part of the switchbacks)? I'd rather skip refilling at trail camp this time.

Thanks!

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
JimC #39892 08/22/14 11:00 PM
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"meganlaughs" reported that the spring is still running on the switchbacks. She spent a long time filling at Trail Camp, though, since it was 3 AM and she wasn't sure whether the spring would be frozen at that time.

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #39941 08/25/14 11:51 AM
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We are starting our hike this weekend through Horseshoe Meadows with the hope of summiting on Wednesday. What are the ice/ snow conditions like on Whitney trail right now? Concerned about whether we need to rent some crampons or not. Thanks!

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #39946 08/25/14 05:10 PM
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Usually if it is iced over I can find a spot to tap through. Thanks to you both --- "meganlaughs" and Steve!

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Shawna #39947 08/25/14 05:24 PM
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Shawna, don't rent crampons. Any remnant ice will be minor.

Please do report back here: The condition of the "spring" at Switchback 23 -- is it running enough for hikers to get any water? This is the time of year that it can dry up, since it is actually melt-water from a snow field farther up on the slope.

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #39949 08/25/14 05:35 PM
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As of the evening of the 21st there wasn't any ice on the main trail, period. I passed a rapidly melting fist-sized chunk at the cables that may literally have been the last piece.

As for water, the spring/source at SB 23 was flowing quite vigorously, and I guess it would take more than a chilly night to freeze it solid! Still easy to scoop up; I enjoyed many unfiltered handfuls before moving on. One thing I don't think I've seen mentioned: that same flow recrosses the trail on several lower switchbacks, so you should make sure you're collecting it at the highest point where no one has had a chance to step in it yet (you'll be facing north/toward whitney, if climbing)

Last edited by cantare; 08/25/14 05:49 PM.
Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #40114 09/07/14 09:55 PM
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I have seen recent reports that the spring at switchback 22 is nearly dry. I would advise people to get their last water at the inlet to the Trail Camp pond.

Ice is beginning to form along the cables due to the seeping water and cold nights.

Weather has been pretty nice, though today (Sept 7) clouds and a light sprinkling has passed through Fresno, so thunderstorms will occur in the Sierra. Watch the weather forecasts closely. First snow storms can come near the end of September and beginning of October.

Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014 (Out-of-Date)
Steve C #40128 09/08/14 02:14 PM
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With temperatures in the 90's for this Wednesday and Thursday is it still ok to hike? I have a permit for this Thursday the 11th, is there anyone or a group I could join? Thanks!

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