Mt Whitney Zone
Posted By: Joe the Hiker A few questions for my trip. - 05/29/14 06:16 PM
Greetings! smile
I will be attempting Mt. Whitney on June 14th. I have a few questions I hope can be answered:

1) Out of these two sites, which one would you say is more accurate at forecasting the weather? (yes I understand mountain weather can change in a heartbeat, I'll be prepared) http://timberlinetrails.net/WhitneyWeather.html http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Whitney/forecasts/4418


2) Is there any easy to read map for the Portal Area? Like one that shows where the 1 night backpackers camp is, the pond is, the store is, the main campground is, etc.. Here is an example of kinda what I mean:
http://www.mobilemaplets.com/thumbnails/5180_thumbnail-1024.jpg


3) Is there anywhere in the portal/lone pine I can rent ice axes? How much do they cost to rent? (I've been watching this forum for a while, I know that this mountain isn't the first place to learn on, I have had some snow experience. I just don't own ice axes blush)


4)
Does the the portal store sell ice?

This one I don't expect anyone to know but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask: Does anyone know what day of the week DFW stock the pond at the portal? grin


Thanks in advance for your replies! After my journey I promise a trip report! thanks
-Joe the Hiker

Posted By: Dan Frink Re: A few questoins for my trip. - 05/29/14 07:16 PM
I can't help, but please post a trip report. I'm going on the 20th and would like a heads up for trail conditions.

Have fun!
Posted By: + @ti2d Re: A few questoins for my trip. - 05/29/14 08:20 PM
1: http://395travel.com/

2: Take a walkabout around the Portal Area to familirize yourself. This also helps with acclimatizing. Also, check out Orientation notes for Whitney first timers to the left.

3: Try Elevations in Lone Pine. Again, see orientation notes. According to their website, they do not have ice axes but call to find out. http://www.sierraelevation.com/

4: Yes, they sell ice.



Pond is stocked every Tuesday.
Posted By: Joe the Hiker Re: A few questoins for my trip. - 05/29/14 08:27 PM
Alright, thank you very much!
Posted By: Terence T Re: A few questoins for my trip. - 05/29/14 09:07 PM
Hi Joe, before my first trip to Whitney a few years ago, I spent a lot of time researching prior posts, trip reports, photos and references from this forum. It was extremely helpful and mainly provided me with multiple "what ifs" and helped me get truly prepared. Have a safe and enjoyable trip.
Posted By: Steve C Re: A few questoins for my trip. - 05/30/14 07:05 AM
#1: Have you seen the weather link in the Feature Topics box above on the left? I particularly like the NOAA site. I see its temperatures vary a little from the mountain-forecast.com site. I wonder which is closer to correct.
Posted By: 63ChevyII.com Re: A few questoins for my trip. - 05/30/14 03:20 PM
Originally Posted By: Steve C
#1: Have you seen the weather link in the Feature Topics box above on the left? I particularly like the NOAA site. I see its temperatures vary a little from the mountain-forecast.com site. I wonder which is closer to correct.


Looks like the NOAA site has made some changes overnight... once again for the worse IMO.

It looks like some coordinates fall into zones, so you can't get a 'pinpoint' forecast for that area. The forecast they show is for the entire zone, covering a large area. They will sometimes give different forecast for different elevations, but I haven't seen forecast for anything above 8k.
Posted By: Steve C Re: A few questoins for my trip. - 05/30/14 03:49 PM
Originally Posted By: 63ChevyII.com
Originally Posted By: Steve C
#1: Have you seen the weather link in the Feature Topics box above on the left? I particularly like the NOAA site. I see its temperatures vary a little from the mountain-forecast.com site. I wonder which is closer to correct.


Looks like the NOAA site has made some changes overnight... once again for the worse IMO.

It looks like some coordinates fall into zones, so you can get a 'pinpoint' forecast for that area. The forecast they show is for the entire zone, covering a large area. They will sometimes give different forecast for different elevations, but I haven't seen forecast for anything above 8k.


Ugh, that's bad! If they don't fix it soon, I'll have to remove the link from the weather page.
Posted By: wbtravis Re: A few questoins for my trip. - 05/30/14 04:06 PM
The comments and answers follow...

1. Weather...A combination of the real time sensors of the California Water Resources Board and NWS work best, IMO.

2. Map... It's a small place. Make a loop around the picnic area and you will be fine.

3. Clampons and Ice Picks...Can be rented, knowledge of their used cannot be.

4. Ice...Josephs Market in Lone Pine
Posted By: 63ChevyII.com Re: A few questoins for my trip. - 05/30/14 04:59 PM
Originally Posted By: Steve C

Ugh, that's bad! If they don't fix it soon, I'll have to remove the link from the weather page.


Changing to a different map that didn't include peak names was bad enough, but at least you could get around it by using coordinates. This change is really bad...
Posted By: wbtravis Re: A few questoins for my trip. - 05/30/14 05:09 PM
Having knowledge of the area helps with he new NOAA set up.

I use it without problems in all the major areas of SoCal. I have not attempted in the Eastern Sierra. However, I use the CWRB real time sensors for temperature and historical data and; NOAA for a general forecast. Therefore, I am not affected by the new set up.
Posted By: Steve C Re: A few questions for my trip. - 05/30/14 07:58 PM
wbtravis, before today, NOAA site was area-sensitive, and clicking on a point in the map would adjust the predicted temps for the computed elevation of the area. I had found a point on their old system that would give the weather at elevation 13,100'.

Now, their elevations max out at 8k. They really dumbed it down. The mountain-forecast.com site does include elevations, so I'll probably switch to that.
Posted By: wbtravis Re: A few questions for my trip. - 06/01/14 04:35 PM
Steve,

I just went to NOAA entered Big Bear Lake, CA and moved the location into the Mt. San Gorgonio Area and got a forecast for 10,129'.

I'm not saying it's better, just workable.

I like the CWRB real time sensors when planning. I can get historical data for a few years, which helps with clothing selection. All I need is a general forecast...like is there a front moving through. I have had too many bad forecasts over the years in the Sierra to take their accuracy seriously.
Posted By: Steve C Re: A few questions for my trip. - 06/01/14 09:35 PM
> I just went to NOAA entered Big Bear Lake, CA and moved the location into the Mt. San Gorgonio Area and got a forecast for 10,129'.

Ha! They changed back to their old system!!!

Here's the link from the weather page, that (for now at least) shows Whitney weather at 13107'
Posted By: Joe the Hiker Re: A few questions for my trip. - 06/04/14 03:11 AM
I have another question! eek

It looks like there are some steep section from Trail Crest to Consultation Lake. From Trail Camp, what is the best way to get down to Consultation Lake? Do I have to go back down to Trail-side Meadows?

Posted By: Akichow Re: A few questions for my trip. - 06/04/14 04:15 AM
No from Trail Camp you go down the regular trail in the direction of the portal maybe 1/4 - 1/2 mile, and then there will be a drainage on your right that you can take down to Consultation Lake. Or you can climb around on the slabs above Consultation Lake to take in the views.

I am not familiar with a route straight down from Trail Crest to Consultation Lake. That would be very technical. People do drop down from Arc Pass, which is more to the southeast. Too steep for me....

Actually this photo from someone else's website is kind of helpful. http://www.tahoebackcountry.net/features/whitney/images/switchback_thumb.jpg
Posted By: Joe the Hiker Re: A few questions for my trip. - 06/09/14 06:51 PM
Thought of one more thing. When I reach Trail Camp, I plan to leave my backpack behind and only use a summit pack. I will only be bringing lunch and snacks. Do I require a bear canister while just hiking to bring just lunch and snacks while summiting?
Posted By: 63ChevyII.com Re: A few questions for my trip. - 06/09/14 07:04 PM
Are you doing a day hike? If so, you will not need a bear canister, just don't leave anything in your packs that smells - you don't want the marmots or chipmunks chewing a hole in it.
Posted By: Joe the Hiker Re: A few questions for my trip. - 06/09/14 07:58 PM
Originally Posted By: 63ChevyII.com
Are you doing a day hike? If so, you will not need a bear canister, just don't leave anything in your packs that smells - you don't want the marmots or chipmunks chewing a hole in it.



No it's an overnight-er. I want to leave all my stuff behind though (tent, sleeping bag, etc) behind while I summit with just a summit back and lunch.
Posted By: SanGorgonioHiker Re: A few questions for my trip. - 06/09/14 08:13 PM
If you are hiking actively, you don't need a bear canister while summiting. If you plan to leave your excess food at Trail Camp along with you tent while climbing up, that needs a bear canister. :-)
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