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Older Trail Conditions - Mt Whitney Trail, 2021
#58288 12/23/20 08:31 PM
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        Out-of-date Mt Whitney Trail Conditions -- 2021

The posts below have been moved from the main Current Conditions thread for trail reports during 2021.
(Posts are moved periodically after they no longer represent current conditions.)

Previous years:
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2020
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2019
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2018
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2017
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2016
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2013
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2012
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2011

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #58360 02/28/21 12:01 AM
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Here's a YouTube video posted by Scott K on the Mountaineers Route:

https://youtu.be/R3oIjJ7J_Yc


Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #58361 02/28/21 12:38 AM
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Brenda V posted these on FB: (shared with her permission)
Her report (link here):
Quote
It was amazing. Winter ascent completed via the mountaineer route. We did the mix climb that was the 400 up and the walk around down. Perfect conditions...What a beautiful place. Thanks Scott Kunz for trail-angel-ing the fuel and for the pics on the notch!!
    Here's the skinny..
As of right now people are driving right up to the hard gate. There are two icy spots on shade area's that need care. I had wish we known this before adding the 3.5 road walk. From the portal to E ledges you can barefoot. I used gortex trail runners from car to upper boy scout with micro spikes ascending. The snow bridges are rotting so use care when crossing. The willow section of the ELedges were not bad. Trail is pretty packed now.

ELedges to LBL is now packed. Lake is not frozen so filtering water before heading up to upper would be ideal so you don't have to melt snow.
LBL to UBL is a post holing nightmare. Try to hit that early morning or night when it refreezes.
UBL is frozen so you will have to melt snow. UBL to the IBL is a hell of a climb. We took the high route ascending and used the gully late afternoon. I don't recommend doing that unless it's refrozen and no fun as it's a terrain trap .
IBL up the notch is just perfect. Crampons and ice axe are a must. Watch for rockfall. It's an issue with early morning melt.
From the Notch we ascended the 400. Our plan was to assess and make a decision once at the top of the notch. We talked it out as we left our climbing rack back at camp. After looking at both options we started the 400. Let's just say if you are not experienced mix climber don't attempt. It is not full snow conditions. Once you start to ascend you are committed to route. There were only one exposed horn on the lower start with a bale sling. Other that that its slowly making your way up. I was able to find some solid snow to stick my tool in but it was sketchy as hell. I cliffed-out once and had to down climb back to thin snow. The rock is very chossy. As my partner said. "I puckered so hard I created a new worm hole"
Placing gear would of been really hard with these mixed conditions.

Now the traverse. It sucked!!! Loose rock, zero fall zone and tired legs never a great combo. Ice axe and crampons a must. No ice just mixed snow and loose rock.

We were very fortunate for the weather. We started for the summit at 5 am and returned to camp at 5pm. Our original plan was to hike out but I was physically fried. So we stayed another night hiked out early the following morning.
As with any climb conditions change constantly. A great source of beta came from the local hiker shop in lone pine. You can actually call and talk to them to get info. I highly recommend stopping in and supporting the local businesses as they have been hit hard by covid restrictions.
Hope this helps😊







[Linked Image]

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #58454 04/05/21 11:48 PM
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Jim P climbed the Mountaineers Route this past Saturday (Apr 3, 2021), and shared his pics on facebook. Below are a few.

Quote
Woke up Friday morning deciding between trail running or mountaineering. I was really feeling lazy but opted for quickie to Whitney. I started Saturday morning at the second gate at 0345. The early morning snow was in good firm shape and travel was fast. I got to a nice spot for an epic alpenglow event 🙂

The route to the peak went smoothly. Good crunchy snow with a decent boot track. The final 400’ had decent punchy snow and went quick.

Overall a great day in the mountains

Morning alpenglow, just above Upper Boy Scout Lake.
[Linked Image]


Just below the Iceberg Lake plateau -- climbing the seeps area.
[Linked Image]

Before Iceberg Lk, looking up toward the Notch
[Linked Image]

Looking up the Final 400
[Linked Image]

Summit Hut. Kaweah range.
[Linked Image]

Looking down the (not-so) "easy walk-off"
[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]

Looking at The Notch across the most deadly part of the traverse ("easy walk-off")
[Linked Image]

Last edited by Steve C; 04/05/21 11:58 PM.
Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #58468 04/08/21 10:56 PM
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Brandon R climbed Mt Russell 4/3/21. Here is a picture of the 99 Switchbacks as viewed from Russell. It looks like they will be usable sometime in May.

[Linked Image]

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #58470 04/09/21 07:28 PM
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Any idea how the NNW Face looked? Perhaps someone could ask Jim and post here? Looking to ski down it April 17. Wondering if too icy late day since it's north facing, or if avalanche conditions are not good. Any suggestions for optimal ski decent route right now? Options are NNW face, mountaineer route, and the slope/chute to climber's right of the main trail switchbacks. I will be going up the mountaineer route, but can go down whatever is best. Any thoughts on any of the 3 options? Looking for lowest avalanche risk, but adequate coverage. Thanks!

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Ryan Cox #58471 04/09/21 09:26 PM
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Ryan C, are you asking about the NNW face of Whitney? I would think you would get the most distance going down from Trail Crest. NNW face of Whitney puts you in the Arctic Cr. drainage, you'd then need drop over Whitney Russell col to Iceberg Lake. Below that, I think there wouldn't be many decent runs.

Here's another pic from Brandon R.
Looking up from Lower Boy Scout Lake. This isn't the year to ski that.
[Linked Image]

Here's the north face of Whitney viewed from the Notch. Got rock skis? NNW face might have more snow, but don't know.
[Linked Image]

Last edited by Steve C; 04/09/21 10:03 PM.
Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Ryan Cox #58472 04/09/21 11:29 PM
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Ryan C, here's a pic of Whitney from Mt Russell, taken by Brandon R.

click for the full-size version
[Linked Image]


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Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #58476 04/12/21 05:46 PM
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Thanks Steve, much appreciated. Yeah looks like no good options right now, melted out on every side!

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #58502 04/20/21 11:40 AM
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Thank you so much for these photos! My husband and I are attempting Mt Whitney in mid May - I have had some experience climbing with crampon and ice axe (cotopaxi, some 11ers here in socal) but my husband does not and I figured it would be the best option that we go ahead with the ascent only if the switchbacks are safe to use.

Can someone kindly point out where the chute is in the photo? I read that its west of the switchbacks, so is it the snow covered steep face to the right?

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
runemilrun #58505 04/20/21 09:37 PM
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runmilrun, If you are referring to the steep slope that you can see in the switchbacks picture, posted 04/08/21 10:56 PM (#58468), yes, that is the picture. However, this picture gives you a better perspective of how steep it is:

[Linked Image]

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Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #58515 04/22/21 01:05 AM
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Thanks Steve, that does look steep! grin

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
runemilrun #58521 04/25/21 03:47 PM
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Does anyone know what the trail condition is at Mt. Whitney? Are the switchbacks doable? Thanks in advance!

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
ReenaC #58525 04/25/21 09:49 PM
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ReenaC: I have seen somewhere in the past week that a few people were using the switchbacks already. The same report said something about the area near the cables was "sketchy", which to me means difficult, but they could get through.

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Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #58529 04/26/21 09:48 AM
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steveC: Thanks for that helpful information! Hoping for a successful summit mid May.

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
ReenaC #58530 04/26/21 02:55 PM
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Just checked the weather for the area Thu-Sat this week and should be favorable for hiking Mt. Whitney. Lone Pine is forecasted to be in the 90’s.

Lone Pine
Mt. Whitney
Whitney 2

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Mike70 #58531 04/26/21 04:04 PM
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For those of you heading up in the next week or so, you might find this video useful. I have no affiliation with this YouTuber but have watched some of his videos before. He just hiked the main trail to the summit and back on 4/23.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs0NSVmWN4k

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #58533 04/26/21 04:44 PM
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I traversed the switchbacks on Saturday Apr 24. A little sketchy, used an ice ax and would recommend those far above trekking poles. Did not have crampons, though I would recommend them. Most ppl seems to be taking the chute though

https://photos.app.goo.gl/auTT8vCZfRMpRf6y5

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
MikeH #58534 04/26/21 05:49 PM
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MikeH: Thanks for the link to the video! That gave me a better visual of the current trail condition! Hoping for good weather the next 3 weeks!

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
dukeo #58535 04/26/21 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by dukeo
I traversed the switchbacks on Saturday Apr 24. A little sketchy, used an ice ax and would recommend those far above trekking poles. Did not have crampons, though I would recommend them. Most ppl seems to be taking the chute though

https://photos.app.goo.gl/auTT8vCZfRMpRf6y5
Thanks dukeo. I am reposting your picture at the cables here.
[Linked Image]

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