Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Whitney & Russell in a weekend?

I'm heading to Whitney this weekend to climb the mountaineers route and was curious if it's possible to climb Whitney and Russell in a single weekend? I'm asking more from a plausibility than a fitness standpoint. If I left early Saturday and did a day climb of Whitney back to UBSL and then hit Russell on Sunday. I'm not planning on bringing any ropes, so I'm not sure that the conditions would even allow it this early in season on Russell.

It sure seems possible to me, if you camp at Upper Boyscout Lake.

A few years ago, I considered the possibility of climbing the MR, then down at Iceberg, ascending Russell before heading back to camp at Upper Boyscout. Would have made a very long day, and the others in my group weren't up for it. It was perfect summer conditions, though.

On two occasions, I've done day trips on Russell, Whitney, and Muir when there was no snow. I also did all three the same day from Iceberg Lake as the second day of a three-day trip in April 2009. Current conditions are worse than my summer trips and better than my April trip. Your trip is plausible if you move fairly fast. BTW, I prefer camping at Iceberg. Good Luck.

I agree with Bob: Iceberg would be the way to go. I considered your same plan about a month ago, but camped at UBSL. The extra gain in the morning plus crummy conditions discouraged me from continuing to Russell after descending the chute on the MR. If I'd had a fresh start from Iceberg that morning, my guess is I'd have bagged Russell as well.

The route you'd want to take is up the MR, back down the chute and traverse North along the slope above Iceberg lake to the notch there on the ridge between Whitney and Russell. Summit Russell by the south face ( couple variations ), then back the way you came to camp at Iceberg.

Thanks for the all the input. If conditions are good and my groups up for it we'll make a go of it and report back.