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Re: Mt. Whitney questions
WanderingJim #42272 04/21/15 03:36 PM
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great, and I am assuming there are no snakes at High camp smile

Re: Mt. Whitney questions
trident777 #42316 04/26/15 08:29 AM
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The conventional wisdom is there magical barrier at 8,000' for snakes...give or take. Imagine my surprise when I saw an 8' black snake at almost 11,000' above Crabtree Ranger Station in late September.

Re: Mt. Whitney questions
wbtravis #42317 04/26/15 10:11 AM
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I can't disagree....I was up at Wallace Lake and came across a Gopher snake (black), about 5 feet long, laying on a rock, waist high, next to trail. Talk about total adrenalin rush. The snake moved so fast..... at this elevation!!!!

I no longer think of snakes only at lower elevation. And don't get me started at the Kern River.

paul

Re: Mt. Whitney questions
Paul #42326 04/27/15 01:51 PM
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One more q - is there adequate parking by Whitney Portal campground? The reserved camping spot I have got says type "Walk to". I am assuming this to mean that I cannot park at the campsite itself but have to park somewhere along Whitney portal rd??

Last edited by trident777; 04/27/15 01:52 PM.
Re: Mt. Whitney questions
trident777 #42327 04/27/15 02:16 PM
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What is the campsite number? Might help someone answer.

Re: Mt. Whitney questions
trident777 #42329 04/27/15 03:59 PM
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Site 44?

Considered a "walk in" -- heavy bear traffic.

Sleep well...


Journey well...
Re: Mt. Whitney questions
+ @ti2d #42333 04/28/15 08:07 AM
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Site 44

Since I cannot edit the next day...

Why Site 44 is a walk-to is beyond me. This is the first time I heard of this term. You can park your vehicle and you walk 10 yards to the campground. Guess that is why.

Site 44 is the furthest away from the Whitney Portal Store. There is a table and fire ring.

There is enough parking for two medium-sized vehicles (no RVs).

The pit toilets are about 100 yards from the site.

There are also bear lockers. I STRONGLY recommend you use these boxes and do NOT leave any items such as food or wrappers with scent on them in your vechicle. That includes fishing tackle.

There is a spigot about 30 yards from the site as well as a trash receptacle.

Lone Pine Creek flows adjacent to the site.

There is a lot of bear activity due to the underbrush downstream from the site. It is highly recommended to keep your site clean at all times.


Journey well...
Re: Mt. Whitney questions
+ @ti2d #42335 04/28/15 03:14 PM
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So, is this a risky area to camp due to bear activity? Am I putting myself at risk for bear attacks?

Re: Mt. Whitney questions
trident777 #42336 04/28/15 03:59 PM
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Follow the standard bear camping rules, be hyper-vigilant about smelly things and you'll be fine.

Re: Mt. Whitney questions
trident777 #42342 04/28/15 10:29 PM
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California bears do not attack. (...unless you corner one or challenge it when it is eating someone's snacks). But they often do the "grab and dash" in the campground, especially at dusk or after dark. Keep your food items within your control or inside the bear locker. Leaving food unattended invites the thieves.

You are not in danger of an attack at all.

Trident777: You never gave us the campsite number.

Re: Mt. Whitney questions
trident777 #42345 04/29/15 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted By: trident777
So, is this a risky area to camp due to bear activity? Am I putting myself at risk for bear attacks?


No worries about any attack unless you provoke it or get between a mother and her cub(s).

My wife and I, along with BruinDave and his wife, BruinJane at Site 44 a six years ago. It was early morning as we were preparing for our dayhike. My wife pulled out her bagel with peanut butter and placed it on the picnic table. She turned around to get jelly for her bagel and turned back around and her headlamp flashed upon this black bear. She screamed and the bear hissed at her. BD and I were dumping the trash when we heard, "Bear!" BJ yelled, "Bear, Bear!" and started blowing her whistle. BD and I came running up and the bear took off. It must of wrung its neck on BD's hammock. That would have been a sight to see. SPROING! My wife was visibly shaken but was okay. What a way to get your adrenaline going for a dayhike and what a way to celebrate your first anniversary with your wife! Looking back on that day, we laugh. Since that day we have been very vigilant whenever we go camping.


Journey well...
Re: Mt. Whitney questions
+ @ti2d #42374 04/30/15 01:08 PM
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excellent thanks! i'll just keep some bear spray handy just in case

Re: Mt. Whitney questions
trident777 #42381 05/01/15 07:28 AM
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Originally Posted By: trident777
excellent thanks! i'll just keep some bear spray handy just in case


You won't need it.

Just bring your whoop@ss @ti2d for your hike...

Keep in mind...the mountain doesn't care.


Journey well...
Re: Mt. Whitney questions
+ @ti2d #43202 06/19/15 10:17 AM
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Just ordered a BearVault 450 from Campsaver for $50 even (free shipping and no tax to CA)! That is a great deal. This is with a 15% first time discount.

Weight is 2 lbs and for myself it seems more than adequate smile I checked the rentals available for $5/day or whatever and they seem like huge bear canisters which will be a pain to carry... especially it's rather silly to be carrying such a large thing when one is a solo hiker.

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