Mt Whitney Zone Forums Trip Reports summit 7/24/18

1 day Whitney summit 7/24. Group of three , myself 51 and son 17 from Louisiana, and friend from Utah. Left Lone pine best western at 2 am and started on trail at 2:30 am. Arrived at trail camp a little over 3 hrs at sunrise and replenished water at the pond. 1 liter was plenty for the entire trip due to the abundant water sources. We took 2 liters above trail camp but didn’t need it all. At trail crest there were slippery places to the summit especially in shaded areas due to snow fall the day before. Reached Summit at 8:45 am and spent 45 minutes at summit enjoying the awesome views. Left summit at 9:30 am and reached portal at 2:30 pm. Hiking poles were a must. This was first time using them and they saved my 51 year old knees on descent. No altitude symptoms at all but sleeping at 8,100 ft for 5 days in Park City, Utah condo before hike probably helped. Water proof gortex hiking shoes helped at numerous water crossings along with hiking poles. Pack weighed 12 lbs without water, so keeping weight down helps. Thanks to all posting on this forum for helpful information that helped us plan this hike.

Curious where were all the water crossings? Deep on the way up?
I know on the way down they can be super deep and numerous due to rain, etc.

I would estimate 4-6 water crossings between portal and trail camp where waterproof shoes and hiking poles were helpful in avoiding wet feet.

Congratulations, DVGBI!!

This: "sleeping at 8,100 ft for 5 days in Park City, Utah condo" definitely made a big difference. How many days passed between your last night there and your hike?

With your 6 hours up and 5 hours down, I can tell you guys are in great shape. What sort of hiking/running/or-what training did you do?

Thanks Steve C,
We woke up Monday am (8,100ft) flew from Salt Lake to Las Vegas and drove to Lone Pine. Picked up permit in afternoon , got some food and about 5 hrs sleep in Lone Pine before starting out early Tuesday morning. Back in Louisiana (no mountains) , I run/ walk , elliptical machine, and kayak. Before Whitney hike, we spent 5 days at altitude around Park City and made about 4 hikes of about 3-5 miles each up to about 11,000ft/ 2,000 vertical.

Thank you a summary report on the MW summit hike. Very useful. Just a quick follow up on the 4-5 stream and waterproof shoes: did you actually step through the streams or can you go around or use/step onto any stones to cross the stream. (And how deep are the streams - 2 inches or 12 inches? ) Curious because one of the hiker in our group isn't sure if his shoes are waterproof and wants to buy waterproof shoe covers... :-) Thanks

Shishir,

As I recall two crossings had logs that were easily crossed and the other 3 or 4 crossings did have both exposed rocks as well as rocks that were 2-3 inches submerged under running water. All crossings are before Trail Camp. Trekking poles definitely helped with balance and avoiding wet feet. I did get one sock wet on the ascent but replaced it with an extra pair of wool socks I brought in pack. Tied the wet sock to outside of pack and it quickly dried. Used La Sportiva synthesis mid shoes with gortex liners which worked well.

Thanks a lot