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Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
#58089 09/24/20 02:39 PM
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In order to really get on top of the highest stand-able point in the continental US, would it be ok for me to get on the roof of the summit shelter? I'm asking because I don't know how sturdy the construction is and I don't want to break anything.

Edit: Also, I was wondering if there would be enough snow on the summit during June to build a snowman? Ideally I would like to build the snowman on top of the shelter so that I can officially have the highest snowman in the continental US (and maybe even North America, assuming no one's built snowmen that high up in the Alaskan range area or Trans Mexican volcanic belt)

Last edited by climby_climber; 09/24/20 02:46 PM.
Re: Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
climby_climber #58090 09/24/20 06:22 PM
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Bring an extension ladder on your hike up...

Hopefully, you won't break a leg as you fall through the roof...

Just appreciate you are at 14,505...plus your height.

Build that snowman if you can make to the summit in June...


Journey well...
Re: Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
+ @ti2d #58091 09/25/20 05:15 AM
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The top of the hut is not the highest point. The hut is downhill from the very top edge. The roof pitch of the hut is very steep to slough off snow. There are lightning rods on top. Here is a picture of the hut taken from higher up. Notice that you can see distant mountains over the roof of the hut proving that the camera is higher than the roof.

[Linked Image]

Re: Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
climby_climber #58092 09/25/20 06:51 AM
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Don't be that guy.

Re: Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
RichardK #58093 09/25/20 08:23 AM
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The question came up years ago, and Bob Rockwell carried a small level to the summit. He posted a picture of the level sitting on the highest rock, leveled, aimed at the hut. The smoke pipe is the only part higher than the rock.

Re: Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
climby_climber #58094 09/25/20 08:49 AM
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I’ve never built a snowman up there, but I did ski from the summit to the “ROAD CLOSED” sign in 1993.

Re: Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
climby_climber #58095 09/25/20 08:50 AM
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Hike with a large group of people and make a human pyramid at the top. smile


It reminds me of when I drove up Pikes Peak in 2018 (between actually climbing other 14ers): They were doing major construction to the parking lot at the summit and the running joke was they were going to build it up higher to get above Mt Elbert or even Mt Whitney. smile

Re: Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
RichardK #58097 09/25/20 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by RichardK
The top of the hut is not the highest point. The hut is downhill from the very top edge. The roof pitch of the hut is very steep to slough off snow. There are lightning rods on top. Here is a picture of the hut taken from higher up. Notice that you can see distant mountains over the roof of the hut proving that the camera is higher than the roof.
I took this picture while standing on the top of the highest boulder on the summit. I'm not particularly tall (less than 5'10" with boots on) but was able to see above the entire structure, including the roof, lightning rods, and pipe:

http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbth...ney-hut-height-view-from-highest-boulder
[Linked Image]

edit: Hope this link works, but here's a Google 360 / Street View showing a similar view:
    Mt Whitney summit Street View

Re: Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
Big Pine #58098 09/25/20 06:54 PM
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This scenario reminds me of when Grandma used to give a stern warning not to climb and jump on the nice furniture.....and then....................... eek

Re: Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
Big Pine #58099 09/25/20 11:10 PM
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Big Pine, I cleaned up your links to the view and picture. They are sure good. Did you do the Street View?

Re: Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
Steve C #58100 09/26/20 06:13 AM
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Big Pine - Thanks for posting that picture. The only one I could find was taken a bit lower down.

Re: Is it OK for me to get on top of the summit shelter?
RichardK #58101 09/26/20 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by RichardK
Big Pine - Thanks for posting that picture. The only one I could find was taken a bit lower down.
Originally Posted by Steve C
Big Pine, I cleaned up your links to the view and picture. They are sure good. Did you do the Street View?
Thanks! The Street View wasn't mine; I've uploaded pictures of Whitney and other peaks to Google Maps before, but haven't submitted any Street Views / photo spheres.


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