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Mount Whitney 1 day hike September 29 - Advice
#52219 09/18/17 02:20 PM
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I will attempt a 1 day hike of Mount Whitney on September 29, 2017. I know it's late in the climbing season but that's when I got awarded my permit. I plan on bringing yak trax for icy conditions as well as microspikes for snow. I will not be bringing crampons or an ice axe. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions attempting a climb of Mount Whitney this time of year? I know each year is different on when the snow dumps but trying to get some advice from those that have gone this time of the year. Are the switchbacks manageable this late in September?

Re: Mount Whitney 1 day hike September 29 - Advice
Applebug #52224 09/18/17 10:27 PM
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Switchbacks are the way to go until a big dump occurs, which pretty much shuts down hiking season. Even with 6" of snow, with a few people hiking the trail, it gets trampled down, so you don't have to walk through miles of unpacked snow.

...unless you are the first one after the storm. wink

Re: Mount Whitney 1 day hike September 29 - Advice
Steve C #52236 09/20/17 03:16 PM
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Thanks for the input!

Re: Mount Whitney 1 day hike September 29 - Advice
Applebug #52280 09/27/17 07:09 AM
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Unless it dumps in the next 2 days you wont have any snow or ice to really worry about. Bring the gear if you feel its necessary and for the peace of mind.

Re: Mount Whitney 1 day hike September 29 - Advice
Applebug #52286 09/27/17 07:00 PM
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We hiked yesterday, 9/26 starting at 1:30am. Snow was not a problem, we had beautiful sunny skies. Unless something changes in the next day or so I think you're going to have an awesome day.

A few photos, including one of the icy section on the cables: https://imgur.com/a/n47BE

If I was doing it again in the next few days I would not bring microspikes. The icy section is less than 15ft and I just went carefully or went to hands / knees if necessary. The rest of the switchbacks were clear.

Thanks to the recommendations of others in this forum, I wore the following:

- ski base layers (top / bottom)
- Arc'teryx Procline pants that are water / wind proof, with vents on the sides that were invaluable when the sun came out
- ski jacket, also water / wind proof ski jacket with vents
- a neck / face cover (mostly for the wind)
- thin leather gloves + waterproof mittens, so even when I took mittens off my hands were covered (shout out to the advice from Harvey)
- a baseball hat covered by a warm hat

For the record I am a woman who is frequently cold, many people wore much less than I did, and most people in my group were shedding or adding layers throughout the day. The vents on my pants / coat meant I wore the same thing all day comfortably. We also passed more than one person in shorts (which I don't understand at all but.... ok).

Would highly recommend an extra pair of socks and base layer in your pack. A friend in my group slipped on the rocks in one of the creek crossings and ended up with a wet foot. The same thing happened to another friend last week (she got wet up to her waist) and it ended her trip.

Last edited by cpSoCal; 09/27/17 07:19 PM.
Re: Mount Whitney 1 day hike September 29 - Advice
cpSoCal #52292 09/28/17 08:06 AM
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Thanks cpSoCal..preciate the info provided!


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