Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Langley/White Mountain Peak Oct. 17-18

Hello, I was curious if anyone has any predictions of what trail conditions will be like on the weekend of October 17th. I have no idea if snowfall will accumulate or if large storms usually roll in by then, but I was hoping to summit Mt. Langley and White Mountain Peak that weekend. If anyone has any experience or guesses as to the conditions at that time, please inform me. Thanks!

It is pretty late in the season, and you will have a lot less daylight as the days are rapidly getting shorter. Doug at the Whitney Portal Store, at 8300' reported it was 28 degrees (F) this morning.

If there are no more storms coming between now and then, it will be pretty good hiking. But if more and heavier storms come, you might as well plan on next year, or plan on a really tough slog.

I see. I don't see any storms in the forecast for the next week but after that I'm unsure what to expect.

By mid-October, you are getting to a place on the calendar that snow starts to accumulate at high elevations rather than melt within a few days.

I used to go to the Sierra every mid-October and about a 1/3 of the time we had to deal with snow but other times we were walking around in shorts.

With all that said...White Mountain is the better choice because the Sierra will disrupt whatever storm leaving White with less snow or no snow.

It is a roll the dice and take your chances time of year.

I want to head up to Langley or White Mtn Peak this weekend, but I am worried about the weather. These pics were posted by a user on the JMT facebook group who hiked Langley last weekend:

on the ascent:




a few hours later during the descent:









It's been getting chilly at the CWD 'weather station' which is at 10,150' elevation. The low temps for 9/27-9/29 were 23, 20 & 23 degrees.

I called the White Mountain Peak Ranger Station to get some info. All the person could tell me was that the dirt road to Barcroft Gate is still open, but they have no idea if it is still passable. He said to try calling back later this week.

If you want to call, the number is (760) 873-2500. Push '0' to talk to a person.

A quote from 100 years ago, first man to 7,000 meters, his italics for emphasis:

There is no risk in starting early in doubtful weather.
Tom Longstaff, This My Voyage, page 59

Harvey,

In the 2010's...Ah dude, look at the stinking forecast before you go and make sure you start early.

I came off Mt. Baden-Powell this weekend in brilliant sunlight. The peak was covered with clouds by 2 PM. Lot'sa folks going up to 40's F and 20 MPH in their finest cotton shorts and t-shirts as I descended.

This is the time of the year you have to a bit more skills and gear, if you want to venture deep into wilderness.

The forecast on mountain-forecast.com says it's clear through this Thursday so hopefully it'll stay storm free through the weekend. Any guesses on whether there'll be a storm rolling in soon? I'd really like to check these mountains off the list before the end of the season.

The longer-term forecasts predict more of the same through next weekend. You will have a better idea by mid-week.

I would also use weather.gov. For my Whitney hike in September, mountain-forecast had a clear forecast!



It looks like it will be windy up there this week. Hopefully that won't be the case for the day you hike. If it is windy, you may find this calculator helpful:
http://www.csgnetwork.com/windchillcalc.html

I've been checking that site as well as it seems like their forecasts are generally accurate. Yes it looks like wind is defintely on the forecast. Thanks that's a helpful tool! Hopefully the chill isn't too low.

It looks like the trip is on and we're planning on Langley on Saturday and White Mountain Peak on Sunday. Any advice on whether we should take Old or New Army Pass? It sounds like New Army Pass might be the safer bet even though it adds on some mileage.