The posts below have been moved from the main Current Conditions thread for trail reports during 2016. (Posts are moved periodically after they no longer represent current conditions.)
Alex H posted this picture on FB, of his campsite on the summit.
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Spent the night on the summit this past weekend after ascending the Mountaineers Route. Great snow/weather conditions. Water available at Lower Boy Scout lake. Upper Boy Scout Lake and Iceberg Lake were frozen solid. We met a group who dug through the ice for hours at Upper Boy Scout, but were unable to tap liquid water. . . . . plan on boiling snow if doing an overnight trip.
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We were able to park ~1 mile from the portal trail head though we would have been able to park directly at the trail head had there not been a snow plow blocking the road. Upon our return, we saw a number of 2WDs at the trail head.
We wanted to sleep on the summit, so we did the climb in 2 days to allow for acclimatization at Upper Boy Scout Lake on the first night. However, two of us still suffered from pretty bad headaches on the summit night.
You can drive all the way up to the portal no problem (obviously go around the at road closed sign:)) definitely crampons and ice axe as you already know. I brought snow shoes just incase but we started so early everything was pretty hard packed. I did post hole a few times on the way back but not enough to put the snow shoes on because everything was getting hard/icy again. It's true you can by pass the e ledges but it's a lot of bush wacking on that side so we decided to just do them and stay on trail. No avy danger right now everything looked good and consolidated. Perfect conditions. I would recommend roping up going down the final 400. We went up the class 3 route up (not the class 2 traverse, although it might have been the better option). Very slippery even with crampons. There is mostly snow on that part...not sure if it's usually a ton of rocks in the summer but it's covered in steep snow (steeper than the chute) We used our ice axes as anchors on the way down the final 400. On the way down the chute it got pretty icy and windy but that's normal when the sun stops hitting it...derr. It was every type of snow...
Here's a picture from March 28, near Trail Camp on the Main Trail, posted in Instagram by adventure_upstream
"Leaving Trail Camp at 12,000 feet for the summit of Mt Whitney at 14,496 feet. #todsl #optoutside #adventure #hiking #backpacking #camping #mtwhitney #getoutside"
Hi all! I am looking to do the Mount Whitney Trail the weekend of April 8. I have experience with many difficult hikes, but we are just getting into winter hiking. I have never used an Ice Ax or crampons before, but I have plenty of experience with snowshoeing. Any input on the difficulty of this hike for a first time ice ax/crampon user? Is it doable or not a good idea?
Here is a video from climbing from iceberg on 3.26.16 We camped at iceberg and started about 6am and think we summtited around 11 ish...
Condition were great, we took the first chute to the top from the notch, climbed over some rock and we used our axes for mixed climbing over the rock, then the video for the last part starts above that. we took the traverse down, since we didn't bring a rope you would probably want to Rap over the rock section. the traverse had great snow conditions.
Hi all! I am looking to do the Mount Whitney Trail the weekend of April 8. I have experience with many difficult hikes, but we are just getting into winter hiking. I have never used an Ice Ax or crampons before, but I have plenty of experience with snowshoeing. Any input on the difficulty of this hike for a first time ice ax/crampon user? Is it doable or not a good idea?
Welcome ahunter,
It is doable if you don't hit anything too icy. Just be aware that with an ice axe and crampons, you can get into far more dangerous locations, but that's some of the fun of it. There are winter mountaineering courses available -- check out Sierra Mountaineering International. But many have picked up the skills by just going and trying things.
Just make SURE you don't get into something you can't get out of. For example, make sure you can descend a section before you commit to going up. Please read the Disclaimer.
Now as a minimum, check out these links and videos:
I've found several reports for people climbing the Mountaineers Route for the past weekend. It sounds like a lot of people are climbing it on weekends. The past weekend was ideal weather. Click on the pictures for the enlarged size.
RC and Tammy climbing the Ebersbacher Ledges "E-Ledges" on Whitney's North Fork Trail (Mountaineers Route) 04-03-16 ...the North facing sides had hard iced snow from 9000ft. The whole trail after 10k ft had snow ...Yes the snow starts at around 9k ft, none at E Ledges, then the rest of the trail is completely covered with snow ... The whole route passed Lower Boy Scout Lake is covered by snow/icy snow
Tam and @robfu starting their way up the chute to Whitney's summit. It took about three hours. It's crazy how this picture makes the chute look small. But it actually seems to last forever. And for what it's worth, I'd choose doing this route in the snow any day. (4-3-16)
Returning to the top of The Notch via the "Easy Walk-off". Posted by robfu RobFu reported they came down this route because the Final 400 "had a traffic jam". Rob's pics are on FB here
ericploeb, I copied the above pics from others' posts. The chute picture above is on the MR (the Mountaineer's Route), which is a steep non-trail alternate route up to Mt Whitney.
The Main Trail has an area west of the 99 switchbacks that some call a "chute", but it is more of a wide slope rather than a chute like the above. Here's the Main Trail info: The chute on the main trail - where is it?
Looks like we may get a little snow this week, but does anyone know at what point along the main trail one would encounter snow, as of today or the last few days?
This was posted yesterday on Instagram by jasonmatkin
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After 10 hours of hiking and just shy of the summit, we had to turn back due to the deep snow and high winds, but Whitney didn't disappoint. Most amazing experience of my life.
They climbed via the switchbacks, then glissaded on the way down.
"No chutes for us #mtwhitney #99switchbacks #whitneyinthewinter"
Caption: We took the switchbacks up but the fastest way down is always the chute #glacading #whitneyinthewinter #mtwhitney #whosinfront
It should be pointed out that the picture here does NOT show good or recommended glissading method. This slope should never be done without ice axe, proper braking and knowledge of self arrest. People have died on this slope, and have lost control even with good technique. These folks just had the good fortune of perfect timing, to descend before any icy patches developed. It only takes one.
ericp, I just copied those pictures from Instagram. I don't know the details of their trip. ...ok, more info: christinec_097 was with "xerorisk", shows some of the same pics, and a little more info. One of her pictures shows the summit hut, and the caption reads: "Early morning at the top of Mt Whitney. This cabin kept us alive at 14508 elevation"
Not sure if it was planned or not, but they spent the night ON the summit! I don't think they carried overnight gear.
They climbed via the switchbacks, then glissaded on the way down.
"No chutes for us #mtwhitney #99switchbacks #whitneyinthewinter"
Caption: We took the switchbacks up but the fastest way down is always the chute #glacading #whitneyinthewinter #mtwhitney #whosinfront
I should probably be pointed out that the picture here does NOT show good or recommended glissading method. This slope should never be done without ice axe, proper braking and knowledge of self arrest. People have died on this slope, and have lost control even with good technique. These folks just had the good fortune of perfect timing, to descend before any icy patches developed. It only takes one.
I am new to this forum, lots of really good information here so I thought I could contribute.
I have any overnight permit for the Whitney Trail for the 2nd-4th of May. We will be going in with 4 guys total including myself. Going in with full gear, Ice Axe, Crampons etc ..etc....
Will try and update my posts to this section in real time if possible. Going to take a lot of pictures of course and will try to get them up for everyone ASAP.
Should start seeing stuff from me beginning Monday morning.
Sounds great John! Unfortunately, cellular service is really spotty to non-existent on the Main Trail. We have seen people able to connect from the windows along the trail between Trail Crest and the summit, and a few can connect from the summit. I've been able to connect on the summit only on the edge north of the summit hut.
Due to the spotty connections, be sure to set your phone on airplane mode to save its battery, and only try to connect when you really want to.
Have a great trip! Looking forward to any pictures and such that you can provide.
@Philippe - Were you guys able to summit? That picture at least shows a nasty storm incoming. Can you please post more pictures and share a little more about your experience?
A bunch of us are going to summit on the 13-14th weekend in May. Based on Hobbes reply, when i checked the weather condition, it does look bad! Hopefully things subside by then..
IdEaMaNi, that picture, the last on the previous page posted by Philippe (View from Trail Crest) does not look like a storm to me, but rather just clouds or fog. Granted, when the area is fogged in, you can't see far, and you get zero views, but it isn't necessarily stormy.
Today's webcam shows the summit under clouds, but then checking the Doppler Radar for Lone Pine (link on the Mt Whitney Weather page, above on the left), it shows the area is not receiving any precipitation. There IS some precip north and south of Whitney -- at least 10 miles away, but the clouds on Whitney are not dropping any moisture.
When planning for a trip, you should look at the various weather forecasts linked on the Mt Whitney Weather page, and make your decisions based on what they predict.
If I see something like this, I ain't moving off my couch.
Seriously, though, I understand summit desire for those who have patiently gone through the permit process. It's just that the mountain determines what actually goes down, not bureaucratic paperwork.
If you have any kind of flexibility, the trick during spring is to wait until a storm passes by. Hopefully, you can jump on it when/if a high pressure system fills in behind, creating a brief window where conditions are working in your favor.
Summer is a different game, associated more with daily afternoon showers & monsoonal flows. While the weather window is generally open, the trick is to get up and down as early as possible.
Oh.. my bad sorry! Thank you Steve C for the explanation. Yes, I am following that on a regular basis and will definitely check the same as we come close to our hiking date.
@IdEaMaNi: On Saturday, we hiked to trail camp, we had a clear blue sky all the way. However on Sunday, it was cloudy and when we were 3/4 up the chute, it started to snow pretty intensely. When we made it to trail crest, there was already half an inch of snow and the weather was getting worse, so we turned around and didn't summit.
The hike from the trail head all the way to trail camp is not technical. We were very happy with microspikes and trekking poles. For the chute, we were expecting the trail to have switchbacks, but it was going straight up. That section is comparable to a steep blue ski slope. Here, you really need an ice axe and crampons. We used the MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes instead of crampons and had very good traction all along the chute whether on ice or powder.
Hi all, just back from an attempt via the Main Trail and wanted to add some more details.
We left Whitney Portal at 9am Sunday May 1 and made good progress to Mirror Lake where we filtered water. We Continued to climb up towards Trail Camp, but the going was much slower.
A little after coming up the switchbacks above Mirror Lake, the main trail switchbacks and climbs before traversing across a slope. On the left of this we saw footprints heading up a snow ramp to the left, but after having route finding issues last year we decided to follow the trail this time, which turned out to be a mistake.
After the switchbacks we encountered a slightly exposed traverse across a reasonably steep snow slope so had to pull out the ice axes and slowly make our way across.
A couple more hills and we rolled into Trail Camp about 4pm. Looking back down the slope we saw the same tracks we had seen earlier continuing all the way directly to camp.
As we got into camp it started snowing and we were unsure if we were going to be able to get up the chute the next day.
It snowed lightly all night but we woke at 4am to clear skies. We ate, kitted up and hit the trail at 5am. The snow was fairly deep across to the base of the chute, but there was a trail from UCSB group from a couple of days earlier. (I chatted to them at Whitney Portal and they made it to the base of the chute, but turned back due to concerns over the state of the chute).
At the start of the rock band in the chute, the trail ended, and the real work started. The snow ranged from shin to knee deep, and was super soft making progress slow and difficult.
After a long hard slog we reached Trail Crest about 9.15am. We ate and rested for a few minutes, trying to decide if we should continue. There was a ton of new snow over the back and half the group was pretty tired. I took a few steps to try and see if I could find any sign of the trail and sunk in up to my knees.
We decided that postholing all the way to the summit wasn't a smart plan, so called it good and headed back to camp.
The snow was so soft on the chute that glissading didn't really work (we just sank into the snow), so we plunge stepped our way back down to the top of the rock band. From there we had a little more luck with the glissading, but it wasn't any faster than walking down.
We refueled, broke down camp and made it out to Whitney Portal by 3pm, following the trail out of camp we had seen the day before.
Beautiful photos - thanx for the update on conditions.
It's hard to hike right after a snowstorm without snowshoes. The result is pretty much as you described it. Great for skiing, not so much for hiking. Part of the trick is to allow a few days to let new snowfall (semi) melt and consolidate.
There's a new storm forecast Th-Sat, with clearing expected to begin on Sun. As high pressure builds in after the low exits eastward, we're supposed to see a warming trend peaking on Thurs.
My plan at this point is to drive up & camp @ LP lake Tues, hike up to TC Wed (as well as do some other acclimatization activities), then hit the Chute 6am Thurs. Hopefully, a few days of intense sunshine and warm(er) temperatures will allow the snow to melt a bit, and then ice over & firm up each night in order to allow travel with crampons.
Here's an outstanding picture from the Mountaineers Route, Upper Boy Scout Lk is out of view to the left, Lower Boy Scout Lk is out of view on the right.
@Phillipe - Thanks for the clarification! We are doing it on the 13th-14th. Like Hobbes mentioned, I am hoping for the snow to melt a little. Was the chute too steep to climb up or was it just steep enough to slow us down? Did you guys even see any signs of the switchbacks at all?
@cabeale - Thanks for the post and photos. That's a lot of snow to walk on. Must have been exhausting! Did you say, you had a tough time even finding the regular trail to the camp from the portal?
@IdEaMaNi - The trail from the Portal was fine - the only point where we had a decision to make was about half a mile (totally guessing here) above Mirror Lake. The main trail heads towards a slope and then turns sharply right to a couple of switchbacks before traversing the slope.
Last year we missed this switchback and ended up doing some hard work up and over a couple of hills so we wanted to avoid that this year. However, there was a trail that continued up a snow ramp to our left, following the path of Lone Pine Creek and in retrospect this would have been easier.
Hello Chris! Thank you so much for very useful info about the current conditions of Mt. Whitney. I am new to this forum and I'm planning to hike up Mt. Whitney next weekend. It looks like weather is getting better towards the weekend. But I have several questions regarding this trip and if you or anyone in this forum (especially Steve-C as a thread moderator) can answer them, that would be super helpful.
1: Did anyone summit to the peak via the Main Trail (not the Mountaineer's Route) recently?
2: How is the water supply in the Trail campsite? If the little creek & pond right by the campsite is all frozen up, we may have to get water either from Mirror lake or Consultation lake.
3: Are the 99 switchbacks which lead to the Trail Crest accessible now? It looks like you went to the Chute which is a slope next to the 99 switchbacks.
The warmer weather next week may change the snow conditions and last week's info may not mean much but at least I would like to know the latest conditions in order to make right judgements.
Hey Tyoshi, I am also planning on hiking up via the main trail next weekend. I called the ranger station last wednesday and I was told that there was a recent successful summit via the main trail. I was also told that melting snow was the best water source right now, but I believe that will probably change come the end of this week. No other details unfortunately so I hope someone else could give some insight.
Are you planning on camping just 1 night? I am trying to figure out the best course of action, as I attempted this last winter and had to turn around because of wind and snow conditions.
Right now, I'm planning on a Friday ascent. I'm going to acclimate 2 nights: one night @ Lone Pine lake, and the second night at Trail camp.
Normally I'd spend a night @ Horseshoe or Onion, but I don't want to risk getting a late start the next day from possible traffic. This way, it doesn't really matter what time I get to LP lake the afternoon before, as long as I can leisurely leave the next morning for TC rather than rush around trying to get to Portal.
As for water, I'm planning on carrying 3L from Outpost. There should be some melt at Trail camp, but I want to have a reserve just in case.
I had been considering Thursday, but I decided to give the snow one more day to consolidate. The difficulty with the main trail is that once you ascend the Chute, you still have 1.9 miles from the JMT junction to hike to the summit. If the snow is deep and soft along the western ridge trail, then it could provide an obstacle.
The MR is a bit different, because once you ascend the Gully, you only have the final 400 remaining. While it's technically challenging climbing in snow, you don't have the long walk to/back that could add time or prevent a summit if conditions are too deep/soft.
This coming weekend should be perfect. There will probably be others thinking the same thing.
FYI - Mirror Lake is completely open so you can save yourself a small amount of effort and fill up there rather than outpost.
I filtered 3L at Mirror Lake and drank a bunch of it there, carried about 2L up to Trail Camp to save myself some weight and then melted snow for water at camp. We arrived at about 4.30 pm, so had plenty of time to sit around and melt snow.
2: When I was up there the pond at Trail Camp was frozen and covered in ~18 inches of snow. Would suggest filling at Mirror Lake, and supplementing by melting snow if needed.
3: Switchbacks were covered in snow. I personally wouldn't recommend this - seemed a lot more sketchy than the chute, but heard at the ranger station that someone had attempted the switchbacks the week before.
I found a GoPro partially buried in the snow on the MR yesterday. If you think it's yours, message or email me.
The snow wasn't bad as far as upper boyscout--4-6 inches of soft snow at worst. We headed up Russell from there, which also didn't have terrible snow. It was about a foot deep at 13k feet when the weather turned us around.
ok...so I am new to this forum as well as hiking. My daughter and I are hiking Mt. Whitney June 4th. It is a day hike. We are both in good physical shape...I'm a runner and she is a dancer (With much more hikes under her belt than me.) My question is actually related to the weather. I saw a youtube video of a hike the same weekend as ours but 2012...we were in a drought. What should we expect as far as snowpack?
My boots are water proof...would you suggest gators as well?
Tyoshi & @AdamBerry - I am going to hike on friday-saturday with a few buddies this coming weekend. Hope to see you guys! As far as switchbacks are concerned, Steve C suggested following foot step trails rather than going to the switch backs. Having said that , based on hobbes recent post, looks like switch backs might be accessible.
Before reading this report I was planning on bringing snow shoes for the switchbacks this Saturday. After looking at weather and reported conditions I am questioning whether I need to add the weight. Thoughts from someone else going up?
Hi all, I'm headed up the mountain in a couple weeks and have some questions for those of you going this week, could you report back after your upcoming climbs please?
1) How are the switchbacks? Are they usable or did you climb the chute?
2) Is the lake at Trail Camp unfrozen? We're camping there and it would be nice to resupply water at camp.
3) Where does the snow start on the trail? On my past hikes snow hasn't shown up until after Outpost, but this is the earliest in the season I've been on the mountain. Is it packed down from other hikers or is it deep snow? Was ice a concern on the trail at any point? We may bring a dog (one person staying with at Trail Camp on summit day) but wanted to know how exactly to prepare.
@JLynch, by June 4, there will be a lot of boot tracks heading up the "chute" (slope west of switchbacks) Gaiters are always helpful on such slopes.
Jbyrd, snowshoes are good if you are the first one in following a fresh snowfall. But otherwise, I'd leave them in the car.
AnnieAM: I, too, am curious about the availability of water at Trail Camp. I am hoping someone will walk over to the inlet stream that feeds the Trail Camp pond, and see how accessible water is there. As for switchbacks: The chute is probably easier for now. Watch for reports, though, when people come back saying they used them.
Bobby R: I don't think you need snow shoes. Crampons yes. Be wary of deep snow along the trail from Trail Crest to the summit. Lots of fresh up there, so just hope others have packed a path through it.
Highs hitting 50s and lows around freezing should consolidate the snow very nicely.
I wouldn't bother with snow shoes, just crampons.
I'll take some photos of course, but I wouldn't expect the switchbacks to be open. All of my discussions have been focused on the Chute. If you don't have boots/crampons, you might be able get away with spikes or walking crampons - especially if you're following tracks.
But whatever you do, bring an ice axe. I'd rather have trail runners with no traction but have an axe vs boots & crampons but no axe.
I hiked on the main trail last Fri. Snow started ~ 1/2 mile b4 Lone Pine Lake.
We didn't make it very far - my hiking partner was sick and we turned back @ Trailside Meadow. Up until this point, the snow was packed and we walked in the shoe prints of previous hikers. It snowed lightly from 7AM on last Fri.
There was snow @ the portal when we returned! Will post a couple photos later.
Hi everyone, I will be camping at trail camp weds the 11th and attempting to summit Thursday the 12th.. Hoping for great weather and good trail conditions. I've read that trail crest has some deep snow.. Are snowshoes recommended for use on trail crest? I would think it's too narrow for them.. Any suggestions would be great!! Hope too see some others out there this week.
Thank you all for very useful info and tips!!!! I'm getting a much better picture now. I guess we will climb up the chute to get to the Trail Crest not the 99 switchbacks. From there on, I hope there are going to be enough footsteps to the summit. Keep my fingers crossed...
We will start in the early Friday morning and stay at Trail campsite that night then try to summit on Saturday. So see you all who are going up there this weekend!!
I'm still curious to know the condition of the pond by the campsite. Please keep posting the latest photos and reports!
We are also going to walk up to the camp on Friday and try and summit on Saturday! Company is always good!
@others - A few of my friends tried the summit this past weekend as a day hike and could only get half way up the chute and had to return back due to lack of time and weather getting worse. What I heard from them was that, crampons aren't required immediately and will probably be required from Mirror lake or so. They didn't see anyone summit when they did and cautioned about possible lack of steps from trail crest to summit. Based on the weather forecast, the weekend should be relatively snow free. They also mentioned that, they got lost a couple of time in the trail and suggested to study the map carefully and mark a few locations. The trail from the portal up to the camp was clearly visible.
Hey everyone, thanks for all the input. Sounds like the chute is the way to go, although once were there it would be easier to gage. I think I decided on not taking snow shoes, just my pack, crampons, and an ice axe. I'm gonna try to make it to trail camp on friday, then attempt summit on saturday, so I'm on the same page as you guys. My buddy bailed this morning so I'll be a solo hiker from SD. Any other advice/information, please share!
I'm shooting for Friday, so I should be back down to Trail camp by 2-3pm. If you see me:
Or my distinctive home-made green Dyneema backpack (that's Ryan Huetter of Sierra mountain center in lead). Note: this is the descent down the Gully on the mountaineers route, not the Chute from the main Whitney trail.
You can thank me for breaking trail. Actually, I think a few are heading up Wed/Thurs, so hopefully the track will be nice & compacted.
I saw another report that people were coming back from the summit. Ice axe and crampons are definitely the thing to have. Snow shoes would be extra weight.
If I were hiking it, I'd also have hiking poles with snow baskets (or maybe ski poles.)
Also, if anyone who came back from there recently and knows about the water supply in Trail Camp, please share with us. I don't want to carry all the water from Mirror lake to the campsite if I don't have to...
Summited this past Tuesday, 5.10.16 First time on Whitney, and it was amazing! What a mountain. Hiked via main trail, starting from Whitney portal on 5/9 and camping that night at Trail Camp. Thanks to those who laid the trail before us on the Westside.
***All notes relevant to 5.9-5.10
***Notes with regards to the trail before Trail Camp are based on progressing up the switchbacks to the North of Outpost Camp. A lot of people have been following the snow to the south (left) of Outpost. This route (while I did not hike it) appears to put you in steep snow for a lot longer than following the main trail to the right (past mirror lake). I can't vouch for what is encountered by going that alternate route.
To answer some questions:
---Water at trail camp is what you make it. We filled up 3-4L apiece about a mile below Trail Camp. There is a rock face to your right (north) as you progress up the snow after Mirror Lake, per GPS @ UTM 11S 386746E 4047547N. It was just after you cross all the rocks after the switchbacks out of Mirror Lake.
---Once at Trail Camp there are some pools of still water next to rocks. We avoided these, even with filter, just because it was not moving water and in an area prone to human waste. We did however find water trickling off the rocks at the base of Woton's throne, and with rocks and snow managed to form a small pool that would collect that we could filter. (A two person job).
---Switchbacks still snow-covered, seems everyone is going up the 'chute'. People have worked switchbacks into the snow which is great.
---Leave early. We left @5:30 am, hit trail crest @ 8am, summit @ 11:27. Even with this early start we started postholing on our way back as the sun hit the western slope. Glissading from Trail Crest down @ 1:55pm was fantastic.
---We did not use snowshoes. Crampons and Axe are a must. We did not use our poles on the West face, just an axe in our uphill hand.
Lastly, please carry out waste and trash. In addition to the many wrappers, foil, ziplocks we picked up, we counted 6 WAG bags at Lone Pine Lake, an abandoned tent fly, a Coleman propane canister, and what appeared to be tennis rackets fashioned into show-shoes at Trail Camp. Please show respect to a beautiful trail, those who maintain it, and the people hiking it after you are gone.
I'm looking for some feedback on a trip described below, any advice/recommendations would be a big help, thanks!
My 2 buddies and I want to make our way to the summit memorial day weekend (Saturday-Tuesday) from the west.
Starting at Horseshoe Meadows to Crabtree Lake to Guitar Lake to Whitney Summit and then exit through Whitney Portal.
Has anyone done this route during this time period? Is this route manageable with all the snow?
Thanks,
Tommy
are you planning going thru miter basin? im sure there is a ton of snow back there so if your not on skis its probably going to be a pain hiking thru deep soft snow - post hole hell. Ive heard army pass can have a good cornice on it, and if there is any snow on old army pass forget about it! then there is crab tree pass. for all those passes you would need ax and crampons.
Hey mates, hope you had a successful summit this weekend! I had a family issue come up so I had to delay my trip. Attempting next week now. Please share you experience and the conditions if you could! Cheers.
My 2 buddies and I want to make our way to the summit memorial day weekend (Saturday-Tuesday) from the west.
Starting at Horseshoe Meadows to Crabtree Lake to Guitar Lake to Whitney Summit and then exit through Whitney Portal.
Has anyone done this route during this time period? Is this route manageable with all the snow?
It's probably manageable. Snow level in the area is around 10,000 (higher on south-facing slopes, lower on north facing). Rule of thumb this time of year is that snow level rises about 500' per week. So maybe 11k on your trip. If you use Cottonwood Pass you will hike mostly on dry ground until you get around to Guitar Lake. Then snowy up and over Whitney.
Now... if you are doing this because you don't have a Whitney Main Trail permit reserved, you can pretty much depend on picking up an unused permit for that weekend. If Road construction hasn't closed the upper section of road to parking, then you are home free. (Only reservation holders will get a parking permit to use the official parking spots.)
Hey. I and my buddies came back home safely yesterday. I just want to let you know we summited the peak on Saturday and I would like to give huge thanks to everyone who helped me here!!
Do you think snow shoes are necessary in addition to crampons/ax from Guitar Lake?
We have a whitney main trail permit reserved to exit through Whitney Portal on June 1st.
What permits are required to use Horseshoe Meadow to the Whitney Zone? Is it a PCT permit?
Are you saying there are plenty of unused permits for Memorial Day weekend?
TommyB: I just don't think snowshoes are necessary by the end of May. Years ago I'd do a Memorial Day weekend backpack every year, and often it was over snow. We never took snowshoes, and did not posthole much at all. Snow consolidates as it melts for the summer, so it usually supports people walking over the top.
Your Cottonwood Pass itinerary will work fine. Plan on two days to Guitar Lake. You can then climb Whitney and exit on the third (unless you guys pack too heavy and travel slow).
Permits: You will pick up the Cottonwood Pass entry permit and Trail Crest Exit permit. That is all you need.
As for the main trail permits: Check out the Unused Whitney Permits numbers for all the past years. There has not been a Memorial weekend yet where all walk-in permits were taken.
This picture was posted by langie671 on Instagram.
It's the area just above Trail Camp, shows the conditions mid-day. They were returning from Trail Crest where they turned back. (I would have stayed in that well-beaten path in the top of the picture.) Postholing occurs more often near exposed boulders (note the rock on the left.)
Here's the caption:
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Snow softened on our descent from the chute. I fell in about 2.5ft of snow and couldn't get my leg out. I yelled at Lisa for help but she ends up getting stuck as well. We yell for Fabian and I blow my whistle cause there's no response. Lisa and I wave for anyone down at Trail Camp but no one comes. I start to think "Crap this is some '127 Hours' bullshit right now...I'm not ready. I don't want frostbite...I love my toes"...I went on. 😂😭 Fabian FINALLY comes, laughs at us and snaps pics while I'm yelling. He says, "Girls, it's snow...not quicksand..."
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Apparently dropbox.com has all sorts of controls to prevent you from storing your picture there and embedding it here. ...checking for an alternate method.
Tyoshi, what is the size of your picture file?
Actually, you can post your pictures in the Picture Gallery on this forum. If you go there, you will find a link with instructions.
I normally use the Whitneyzone Picture Gallery, but there are other options: TinyPic: tinypic.com and Flickr: flickr.com
Both supply Image code for Forums and message boards Both are free, but do require you to "sign up", and log on to upload pictures. Then copy the link, and paste it in the message board.
I've done that, but I go ultra-light when I do it. And I make the most of all the hard work, and sleep on the summit. That works if you have spent at least two nights sleeping at or above 10k. Otherwise the altitude makes for a terrible night's sleep.
I would NOT advise hauling gear up to the summit and trying to exit in the same day. It would be a very long and tiring day -- just not worth it.
Wow, these pictures look beautiful but intimidating! This is the MT, correct?
It looks like one fierce drop off where the person in the blue is on the trail. Makes me kind of nervous to be hiking that area by myself, now I'll know to wait for other to before crossing that portion.
We are planning to hike up Mt. Whitney on June 13th. Since we have no experience in hiking in snow and using crampons & ice axe etc, I am just wondering what the trail condition will be like in June 13th and do we still need crampons? And how difficult would be for us to summit if there is still snow above 12000 feet?
Eddie Nee: At least half of that snow will be gone by mid-june. There will still be some icy spots, so using crampons and ice axe will be good. But it isn't easy to predict, so watch for more reports closer to your trip.
Yes, we took the Main trail up to the Summit. I think we were the last group to summit that day (May 15) since we didn't see anyone coming up when we were going down. And seeing the registry notebook, it looks like 10-15 people summited that day.
We left Trail camp around 4:00am and came back about 1:30pm. Most of them left around 2:30-4:00am in order to arrive early to avoid snow getting too soft and slushy. Weather was fine but pretty windy.
After Trail Crest, there were several sections that were bit technical but with ice axe and crampons it was not too bad.
A lot of people got lost on the way back from Trail Camp to the Mirror Lake. Because actual trail were buried in the snow and people were randomly going down the snow slope. And many of them just went too far whereas they really should have made a left turn toward Mirror lake. Then they ended up at the top of Outpost camp which they have to go down really steep slope. By the time you go there, there may be more snow melt which makes the actual trail appear but that was our case.
Also, your pictures are awesome! Can I ask what camera you shooting with? As a solo hiker I am not sure I want to haul my Cannon up there but seeing your pictures makes me want to rethink this.
I used Sony A5100 mirror-less camera with two zoom lens (18-200mm & 10-18mm). I think that's probably the smallest setup for APS-C sensor size cameras. It's definitely worth bringing a decent camera up there if you can. Views are so spectacular and my photos can't do their justice either.
Every year, we see reports from people who were seriously burned from hiking Whitney in snowy conditions. The sunlight at altitude is significantly stronger and more intense due to the thinner air; AND most importantly, the snow reflects the sunlight back at you.
People who don't wear sunglasses can return with serious eye burn. It feels like sand in your eyes, and can last several days. Major prescription pain medications are required to ease the pain.
People who don't wear sunscreen can get seriously burned! When the days are warm, people like to wear shorts and peel down to a T-shirt or less. You can burn far worse on a Whitney hike than anywhere else.
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are mandatory this time of year.
...Here's a dialog from an Instagram post: L671:Super sun burnt from this hike. Looking like a Marvel character at the moment. Trying to make sunglass tan lines look cute. 100% worth it MV13:Hey for real .. Me too H151:Me too!! Lol even the inside of my nostrils are fried L671:The sun on Whitney this past week had no mercy...I don't usually get sun burns!!
Ok, so I plan on trying a Day hike June 22 whats the best guess for snow conditions. I don't think I want to try it with heavy snow. Any info would be great!
We are headed up on this Sunday. Can someone who has been on the trail recently tell me where the last open water source was along the trail up to trail camp.
How long are you guys going to be up there? we are staying monday night at whitney portal to acclimate and then either summit the next day or camp somewhere higher and then reach the summit wednesday. I would like to meet up with my party of 3 other guys.
Past consultation lake where high camp is (We might be there tuesday depending on weather conditions) there is pond that has source of water but do BRING A FILTER.
It is our first time do this and we are planning to rent crampons and snowshoes. I just graduated from college and I want this trip to be a self-graduation present.
I have a one day trail permit for 6/5/16, and I'm wondering what the trail conditions might look like then. Can we do either Main Mount Whitney Trail or the mountaineers chute? Will we need crampons and ice axes?
In two weeks, there will still be plenty of snow. I doubt many will be trying to use the switchbacks as they will still have quite a bit of snow. Most will still be using the "chute" (slope west of the switchbacks). To go up that area, crampons and ice axe are always helpful.
Anusha, the Mountaineers Route is not a trail -- you need to study and memorize the route before you go. People can get seriously off route there.
I agree, this site has been super helpful. Thanks for the answers. I think we're going to stick to the main trail and go up the chute. What map do you recommend?
Hi Steve, we are planning on going on the memorial day weekend. We do have crampons, but don't have ice axes and don't really have any self-arrest experiences. Would crampons alone be enough? Or should we give up the hike for another year? Thanks in advance!
If you have ski poles or hiking poles with snow baskets, along with crampons, then you will travel up and down pretty well.
The ice axe is for your safety -- If you slip or trip, (and know how to self-arrest) it can save your life. Do NOT glissade (sit down and slide down feet-first) without an ice axe to use as a brake. If you get into an icy spot, you can take off like a rocket without a brake.
@ckm15: Here is the Trail Camp pond, taken Sunday. Looks like the inlet will have flowing water.
Steve: can ypou identify exactly where the trail is in this picture? If I am reading this shot right, the big, squarish rock to the far right has a particular significance for me, and I have lost all my pictures of it. If its my rock, I may post a TR from 1964 to explain its significance.
> Steve: can ypou identify exactly where the trail is in this picture?
Well, I am sure it is the Trail Camp pond, looking east. Checking the google satellite view on the gmap4 site, I would say that rock is the one identified in this map link. Looking at the vertical view and the photo, I sure think I can identify other features in the picture.
Hey Steve, What about June 4th? It will be mine and my daughters first Whitney hike:) I'm prepared for snow and what not, but I am reading comments regarding a day hike being nearly impossible this time of year (two more weeks!). What are your thoughts?
And thank you for quickly answering a previous question I had...I am just getting use to navigating my way through this:)
Janine Lynch
Update...never mind...I just scrolled up and saw similar question!! This site is amazing:)
Janine, be sure to check the Trip Reports forum (scroll to the top, click Forums, then Trip Reports). There are two good reports, one by Michelle, a second by Gregory.
Most people's experiences are somewhere in between those two. Michelle, from London, UK, made it in one day: 5 hours to Trail Camp, 2 more to Trail Crest, 1.5 more to the summit, 6.5 to descend, and she says she rested little!
She spent two prior days doing some acclimating hikes, one hiking the Main Trail up to Lone Pine Lake and back -- a good thing to do in daylight, if you are going to day hike starting in the dark.
Gregory, on the other hand seemed to lose the trail often, and his labels of places don't match the map. In fact, the Mountaineers Route is not even in the area he was hiking. But one of his biggest mistakes was to underestimate the affects of the altitude.
Also, be sure and look over the Orientation Notes (link above on the left). There is lots of useful info tucked away there.
> Steve: can ypou identify exactly where the trail is in this picture?
Well, I am sure it is the Trail Camp pond, looking east. Checking the google satellite view on the gmap4 site, I would say that rock is the one identified in this map link. Looking at the vertical view and the photo, I sure think I can identify other features in the picture.
Thanks for the info. Not the one I was thinking of: too big. But it may be another one that I have slept under a couple of times: anyone ever notice rocks in TC with crawl space underneath?
I was planning on hiking the High Sierra Trail from Sequoia to Whitney Portal from the 25th - 30th/31st, but seeing this pictures of Whitney, Trail Crest, and the Chute, I'm not sure I'd be able to get down considering I only have Microspikes (not crampons) and I don't own an ice ax.
Does anybody have any images from this previous weekend, 5/20 and on? Do you think the snow will have melted any by Memorial Day? Any recommendations?
The weather is being unseasonably cool, so you will encounter nearly the same conditions. With microspikes, you can walk down -- hiking poles (with snow baskets) would be especially helpful.
Understand that later in the afternoon, as the day cools and the slope is shaded by the mountain to the west, the slope can become icy (depending on the temperatures). So you should try to get down no later than 3 PM, and earlier would be better.
HST (High Sierra Trail) info, NOT the Mt Whitney trail: Are you sure you can negotiate that tunnel and snow in the narrow chute above Hamilton Lakes (at 9300')? It can be pretty treacherous when the trail is covered by the winter's snow.
Here... I did a google images search for "hst tunnel hamilton lakes", and found this picture and post by RoguePhotonic:
Quote:
Your biggest concern with snow is going to be the tunnel section as you drop off or climb the Kaweah Gap. If you have any gear you will be fine but in 2008 in mid June I had to spend 2 hours digging a level trail through the snow because it was hard packed and steep. One slip means death in that spot.
Notice the cut in the snow:
You might want to consider carrying an ice axe and crampons, just for that particular spot.
Hello everyone, I am super stoked to be doing Mt. Whitney this coming weekend 5/27-5/30, My team of three, including me, planned on doing the Mountaineers route, but from the pictures I have seen, it looks like that may be more dangerous than usual right now. What are your thoughts? I did not see a lot of pictures being uploaded from the Mountaineers route so I thought I would ask before getting there lol. We all have experience doing Mt. Whitney's Pacific crest, as well as 5 other mountains so experience with snow, rock and ice. Can we still do it this time of the year? Or would be be taking unnecessary risks? Your honest thoughts are welcome! Thanks!
...You might want to consider carrying an ice axe and crampons, just for that particular spot.
Thanks, Steve. I'll be picking up an ice axe today. I'd hate to plan for this trip and have to turn back early. I'm hoping we can get through the Tunnel/Precipice section without issues, and later, to use a nice slow, controlled descent down Whitney when we get there.
Thanks Steve!! I will definitely check both of those links. I am printing all your suggestions and checking out all links:) I want to map this out on paper and then come back with my list of questions!!
The weather is being unseasonably cool, so you will encounter nearly the same conditions. With microspikes, you can walk down -- hiking poles (with snow baskets) would be especially helpful.
Understand that later in the afternoon, as the day cools and the slope is shaded by the mountain to the west, the slope can become icy (depending on the temperatures). So you should try to get down no later than 3 PM, and earlier would be better.
HST (High Sierra Trail) info, NOT the Mt Whitney trail: Are you sure you can negotiate that tunnel and snow in the narrow chute above Hamilton Lakes (at 9300')? It can be pretty treacherous when the trail is covered by the winter's snow.
Here... I did a google images search for "hst tunnel hamilton lakes", and found this picture and post by RoguePhotonic:
Quote:
Your biggest concern with snow is going to be the tunnel section as you drop off or climb the Kaweah Gap. If you have any gear you will be fine but in 2008 in mid June I had to spend 2 hours digging a level trail through the snow because it was hard packed and steep. One slip means death in that spot.
Notice the cut in the snow:
You might want to consider carrying an ice axe and crampons, just for that particular spot.
That's the spot that stopped us (and many others) in July of 2011. There was a lot more snow cover, from below the tunnel to above the chute in Rogue's pic. The section shown was a snow bridge over the trail, about 60 feet across, with 2-3 feet of clearance underneath. So we had our choice of traversing over with deadly exposure or crawling under, through icewater above and below. We opted for another day at Hamilton lakes and an out and back. It collapsed two days later. Early season, you need good beta on this particular spot.
That's the spot that stopped us (and many others) in July of 2011. There was a lot more snow cover, from below the tunnel to above the chute in Rogue's pic. The section shown was a snow bridge over the trail, about 60 feet across, with 2-3 feet of clearance underneath. So we had our choice of traversing over with deadly exposure or crawling under, through icewater above and below. We opted for another day at Hamilton lakes and an out and back. It collapsed two days later. Early season, you need good beta on this particular spot.
Wow that's slightly terrifying, probably a good call to spend more time at Hamilton. I wish it was easier to get an updated and current picture of that section of the trail!
Hello all: I have a party of 4, we will begin hiking early this Friday (May 27) to hike up and camp at Outpost or Trail camp Friday night, then take the switchbacks to the summit on Saturday, and then one more night camping on Saturday night before heading to the bottom on Sunday Will we be able to make this route with micro spikes and ice axe? This is our first hiking/camping adventure in the snow, although we are experienced day hikers. That being said, it will be the first time using ice axe and micro spikes. Are cramp ons more necessary, or should we be okay with this set up?
My group went up on 5/22 and made it up to Trail Camp. Did not summit the next day since a couple people form my group got hit hard by the altitude. At night I feel like it was under 20 degrees as our 20 degree sleeping bags were barely adequate. My water bottle in the tent had ice in it when I woke up.
There is snow that needs to be crossed once pass mirror lake but crampons weren't necessary to get to Trail Camp. Didn't see anyone using the switch backs.
There was water that can be filtered at trail camp.
What time was your party planning on taking off Friday morning, I am still trying to plan departure times w/ parking & road work?
Your permit dates & plans are the same as mine, as a solo female hiker, it would be nice to a least know there are others planning the same time frame as myself.
Has anyone taken a look at the predicted weather forecast for hikers this weekend?
I am set to take off this Friday for an overnight on the MT.
According to mountain-forecast.com it appears that 5" of snow will fall from evening to overnight on Friday... What do you experienced folks think of this?
Still possible? I'm gunna give it a go regardless, no shame in turning back at the chute.
I think NOAA is closer to the true situation. If you look at the Mt Whitney Weather page, and look at the loop of the Western US Infrared, what we have is just a lingering bit of weather -- no big storm coming in from the Pacific.
Go prepared. It is still possible. NOAA even predicts Sunday will be "mostly sunny".
Hi Steve, do you think the switchbacks are possible this weekend? As I mentioned in a previous post, we have ice axe and micro spikes. I can rent cramp ons if necessary. Any advise is very appreciated.
Hello Iclimbmnts, I am not sure exact time now, but we plan on picking up permit and grabbing breakfast in lone pine, so maybe 10am will be in parking lot area. we will look out for you. My name is Adam, my wife Lindsay, my brother Stephen, and his wife Christina.
Me my girlfriend and her father are planning to summit Whitney June 26 as the culmination to a weeklong backpacking trip. While we are all experienced hikers, none of us has much familiarity with hiking in the snow.
I was wondering if anyone knows what the typical trail conditions are for Whitney around that time (June 26).
Adam7272: Crampons are better, but microspikes might work.
I don't have any experience with the microspikes, but I understand they are not appropriate for descending on steeper slopes in icy conditions. Here's what you should do, if you don't take crampons:
As you encounter steeper slopes while you are climbing, turn around and practice descending. Make sure you are ok in descending mode. If not, then don't climb any higher. Make sure everyone in your party tries this.
None of the Whitney Main Trail route should be too icy, so the micros might work ok. Please be sure to report back what works (or doesn't) for you. - - - - - - - -
rpeers209: By late June, much of the snow will be melted, but there will be some lingering. By then, people are usually using the switchbacks, but encountering a few snowy/icy situations, especially at the cables. People usually just go without any special equipment, but need to be careful in those spots.
Hello everyone Was curious if anyone can provide info on the 99 switchbacks? Can you follow the trail or are they completely covered? How long is it taking for a single day round trip? I d only able to get a single day permit and will be hiking this Monday. In planning to start at 3am. Thank you!
Hi we are a group of 3 starting up the main trail on Friday for an overnight at trail camp also. We are coming in tomorrow and hope to camp at horshoe meadows tomorrow night for some acclimitization. Not sure when we are hitting the trail on Friday. Gerard.
MannyH: the switchbacks are completely snowed over. We saw one group followed them up, but that is the exception. One-day trips are taking 15-16 hours. It is all snow from Trail Camp and above. Crampons and ice axe are very useful.
Read through all the pages of this thread, the pictures from two weeks ago are pretty much what you will find.
My group and I did the main Mount Whitney Trail 5/22-5/23, with two of us reaching the summit on the morning of the 23rd.
We stayed on the main trail until Trailside Meadow where we left the trail, following numerous sets of tracks in the snow, to avoid a section that we had been warned was sketchy by people descending. Crampons aren't necessary before trail camp.
After arriving at trail camp and setting up our tent, a helicopter flew in to evacuate someone from the base of the chute. While we do not know the details of that accident, we would note that when a helicopter passes over it can blow away a lot of your stuff. Luckily one member of our party had the presence of mind to go running after our airborne gear (a mat, pair of gaiters and a couple of other items) while the rest of us provided some ballast for our tents
We left trail camp at 3:30AM, reaching trail crest at 6:00AM and were the first group to the summit from Trail Camp at 8:45AM. The trail from Trail Crest to the summit was well established and while there were steep drop offs on the side, most of it felt comfortable. There were however 5 or 6 places where a rock stuck out into the trail, requiring some more challenging maneuvering to get around, often on thin ledges of snow. Several of these places required us to straddle the rock in order to pass it. We were able to pass these sections comfortably, however they would be worrisome if you are heavily fatigued or struggling from the altitude or not comfortable with maneuvering around rocks. See images below pictures of the trail between trail crest and the summit
On the way down we were warned by an ascending party that several people had already lost control glissading that morning. The member of our party that did not summit met us at the top of trail crest to warn us that he had met one woman who fell in a glissade track and slid most of the way down the chute, but was lucky enough to walk away with little more than bruised hands. Thanks to these warnings we decided to walk down the chute, starting at 12pm. Conditions on the chute were mixed, with most of it feeling like it would have been safe to glissade but with occasional unexpected regions of firm snow. I was thankful that we were not glissading as from my previous experience it would have been hard to maintain control in those conditions.
Hey guys I figure this may be the best place to ask but if not I can delete and move the question elsewhere. Me and friend have been planning to climb the east face on June 13th (we have an overnight permit) but we're not 100% sure if the conditions will be too icy/snowy/slushy. Does anyone have a good guestimate on what conditions may be like around then? If it is the case that it will be too icy/snowy/slushy we would just do the mountaineers route. Thanks!
ckm15, THANKS for the report, and especially the warnings about glissading! Do you know if anyone who had problems glissading had an ice axe for a brake? I know in really icy conditions, even the ice axe may not work.
Also, your pictures don't display. Are they set as private? - - - -
Carlitos: The snow level was about at Lower Boy Scout Lake two weeks ago. Most will be gone on your approach by mid-June, but you may encounter some above Upper Boy Scout. I don't think it would be enough to hold you back much. The MR below the Notch will certainly have snow yet, so if you go that way, crampons and ice axe would be a good idea. - - - - - - -
Carlitos: The snow level was about at Lower Boy Scout Lake two weeks ago. Most will be gone on your approach by mid-June, but you may encounter some above Upper Boy Scout. I don't think it would be enough to hold you back much. The MR below the Notch will certainly have snow yet, so if you go that way, crampons and ice axe would be a good idea.
Hello All... me and a few friends will be going up June 3-5. I just had a couple of questions.
1. How deep is the snow right now up at trail camp? 2. How good/bad is the parking situation at the portal starting on Friday mornings currently? if it has generally been pretty full, I may just shuttle up there. 3. At about what elevation would crampons begin to be necessary?
Looking for some advice as a first time solo female hiker. I really want to do this hike and I have a permit for the 2 day trip for June 1st & 2nd, but I am worried about a few things. This will be my first time hiking solo, ascending past 10k feet, using crampons/ax, and hiking in the snow. I have done long multiple day backpacking trips with friends, but never past 10k, so I am unfamiliar with how altitude sickness will affect me and the snow sections have me a bit worried. Since I am going after memorial day, on a weekday, I wonder if anyone will be up near the summit that I can spot to see how they summit, since the switchbacks are snowed in. And after reading that a helicopter had to carry someone out I am a bit worried if this is a good idea.
You are proposing doing a lot of things for the first time on this hike. I think you are smart to be worried. I'd feel better if you went with someone with snow, ice and altitude experience. Have you taken a self-arrest class? Are you practiced enough to arrest and save your own life with that axe when seconds count?
Pre coffee post::: If you were to go by yourself, I highly reccomend a weekend when people are sure to be around. That being said, you should have plenty of boot pack that might help OR hurt a successful ascent. Do you have any sort of GPS device? If I was going solo I would make sure to have that. Most importantly, would you feel safe going up there with no self arrest practice? You seem set on multi-day trips which is good. It's a great place to learn crampons/ice axe and what's comfortable for you, but for your first time you should go with someone more experienced. Hiking in the snow is another ballgame! If you end up post holing a lot of the way, the amount of energy to take your leg out is unreal. I want to encourage you to go, but with someone. In the summer it is different, if you're confident and have the right tools/skills then solo can be rewarding. The mountains are always in charge! If anything (weather, conditions) were to change, you don't wanna be by yourself. Altitude & being tired can really mess with you up there. You can text me anytime for advice 8583533661...as I'm half asleep at the moment. Safely first always...
Looking for some advice as a first time solo female hiker. I really want to do this hike and I have a permit for the 2 day trip for June 1st & 2nd, but I am worried about a few things. This will be my first time hiking solo, ascending past 10k feet, using crampons/ax, and hiking in the snow. I have done long multiple day backpacking trips with friends, but never past 10k, so I am unfamiliar with how altitude sickness will affect me and the snow sections have me a bit worried. Since I am going after memorial day, on a weekday, I wonder if anyone will be up near the summit that I can spot to see how they summit, since the switchbacks are snowed in. And after reading that a helicopter had to carry someone out I am a bit worried if this is a good idea.
Thank you so much for any input!
Hi Carolyn. I'd suggest some of the things the other people have already mentioned here. try to get up there earlier if you can and camp a night or 2 at the portal to help get acclimated to the elevation. Just research the symptoms of AMS and if you start feeling any of them, I would recommend stopping and resting and wait to see if it passes and your body gets used to the elevation. If not, head back down a little bit and relax. don't push yourself if you don't feel good. Just play it safe
From reading the other posts, it appears most people are reaching the summit through the chute.
Since you are going solo, having a personal GPS beacon would be useful in case of an emergency. and of course bring a map and compass.
Too bad you are going up before my group goes up or i'd tell you to join us. We won't be up there until june 3-5.
Hey everybody, first time poster. I recently found this board and I just wanna thank everyone for being so helpful in their information about the trail, I definitely would have gone in unprepared if I didn't do a little research.
I'm writing this post because I'm doing a single day Whitney trip on June 6th starting at 2am, and I was wondering if anyone had some insight on what the trail conditions might be like by then.
From what I've gathered, there will obviously be snow after trail camp, but are the switchbacks completely out of the question? The other members in my group have never glissaded (?) before and I wouldn't want them to go in inexperienced.
Also, it seems like most hikers are using ice axes, my group will have hiking poles, but do you think we should rent some axes? This will be our 4th time doing Whitney, but the first time with substantial snow. Thanks!
Thank you so much for everyones advice! I feel confident doing it on my own but in summer conditions. I had no idea there was that much snow this late in the year. After looking at the earlier posts it really got me thinking about how much harder this will be. I am going to postpone this hike for maybe August or September. I would need to buy a gps device and I don't have any self arrest practice either. Overall the conditions for this hike seem above me experience right now. But I appreciate everyone on the message board! So happy so many people share all this helpful information
I have an extra one day pass for June 22, from what most people have told me, most of the snow will be gone and it will be possible to make it as a normal hike. Your welcome to the pass.
Posted on Instagram May 29, 2016, by Paul Bates (@milkwhitetree)
This picture taken at Trail Camp: "Sunrise at base camp"
Quote:
This is "the chute", part of a steep 1800ft/550m climb using crampons, ice ax and a lot of breaks. It would take over two hours to reach Trail Crest. Those wide dig outs in front are from glissading, which I would find on the return was the only way down in the mid-day sun.
...Note that people CAN walk down the slope.
Quote:
Past Trail Crest and on the way to Whitney. So many places like this on this stretch, grabbing to rocks and inch past with the vertical drop always present. Walking on a thin ledge of snow on the edge of a long vertical drop. This is why crampons and an ice ax should be used. It's on one of these narrow trails I caught my crampon on my snow pants and literally almost tumbled off the cliff
"made good time until about trail camp. Felt some effects of altitude but snow was our real challenge. Without crampons we were toast. Switchbacks were buried and almost invisible. Gave going up the chutes a brief try but post holing and steep slope nixed that idea. Still it was an absolutely beautiful day and a wonderful experience!"
Hi Robert, I' have a permit for the same day as you (June 26). Was planning on hiking with two friends who had some stuff come up and aren't able to go now. This is my first time hiking Whitney and would like to head up with some other people. Thanks.
Has anyone tried using microspikes instead of crampons to go up the main trail using the chute?
Same question here.
We are definitely taking microspikes (June 6th) and putting them on at/near the snow line because we prefer hiking mixed terrain (snow/ice/rock/dirt) in those. We will probably start the chute in microspikes and play it by ear.
If there is a good boot pack then the spikes with ice axe in one hand/pole in the other will probably be fine.
But I haven't yet seen anything (including the pictures from the 29th) that make me comfortable leaving the crampons behind...
We're having triple-digit heat on the west side for the next week, and NOAA shows the temps even at the Whitney summit never getting down to freezing, highs in the 50s. So the snow is melting fast! There will likely be a boot-track on the switchbacks pretty soon.
You could always leave the crampons home and try to make it through. You can go with the idea that if conditions get too bad, turn around and head down.
...Here's what they say: The mountain will always be there for another try.
Here's an 8-minute video posted on YouTube by Rebo (Randy Berton), PCT hiker with his group of hikers, May 28-29, 2016. (This is his second year in a row hiking the PCT.)
They climbed Whitney from Guitar Lake in their PCT hiking shoes, and it appears with microspikes. They spent the night in the summit hut -- the last minute shows the conditions at dawn on the 29th.
These have to be the hardiest hikers you can find. 750 miles from the Calif-Mexico border already.
I think we're going to do the same. We're probably going to keep crampons with us just in case. Like you said, I'd rather carry extra weight to succeed summitting.
Excellent news about the temperatures! We're going June 5th. We have a pass for the day, but we're going to try to get an overnight for the night of the 4th, and camp at outpost. We'll let you know how it goes! Thanks everyone for all the help!
I have pretty much same question looping in my head.. crampons or no crampons. Got a permit for June 5th, hiking in a group of 4 overnight acclimatizing at trail camp.
So far my plan is to keep microspikes, ice-axe and a pole, leave the crampons in the car if get some solid input on not needing them before heading on the trail.
Oh and information posted here is pretty helpful, thanks all
Ashish - when do you plan on getting up to summit? The conditions are looking beautiful on Saturday night into Sunday. 35*F overnight at the summit (at this point; we'll see as it gets closer) - I'm assuming this means the chute or the trail after trail crest won't be frozen.
I was thinking of waiting to summit later in the day so it's not so icy, but if the conditions are like this, I'm thinking we're (group of 2 - my husband and I) going to try to leave outpost around 2 AM. Maybe we'll see you at the summit!
We're heading up on the 6th as well. We were thinking that throwing crampons in is really not that much to carry, and could be essential for summiting depending on conditions. Better to have it and not use it. Plus, I bought a pair just for this hike and there's no way I'm dropping $150 on a piece of gear and not using it! Heck, I'll run around the parking lot in them just to use them if I have to.
It looks like the group in the video didn't use crampons until past trail crest. Interesting.
Ashish - I think we're going to just bring our crampons (no microspikes). We're renting mountaineering boots, so I'm pretty worried about that because they're not my own broken in hiking boots. But I hear they're warm and dry, so that sounds appealing. We're evening thinking about using our own hiking boots to get to outpost camp, and then wear the rented mountaineering boots from outpost camp to the summit. Then we'll play it by ear with the crampons that we'll be carrying.
Hey, I am the guy in the video. We used crampon most of the time from the tail camp to the submit. We removed crampon for a short period of time when there was no snow in the trail.
Would love to plan it together, only problem is this will be the culmination of a weeklong trek starting farther south. As such it'd be hard to coordinate a meeting place/time on the trail. I suspect by that time of year the trail and the mtn will be crowded with plenty of experienced hikers. It is my hope to solicit some company and advice along the way.
Hey friends, thanks all for the info so far. Invaluable. Headed up on June 5th for an overnight. We are first-timers but have crampons/iceaxe and have been above 13K before as far as altitude.
Any tips on easiest way to go about the 2-day trip as far as camping location and best time to depart in AM to summit on June 6? Thanks again, hope to see others up there this weekend.
I'm heading up the Mountain for my second time on June 23rd. I know it's a ways out from now, but looking at all the current condition responses, there's no word of opportunity to use the switch backs to Trail Crest. Is the chute the only way to go still and do you all think the Switch backs will be open and safe to use by June 23rd? The idea of Glissading down the chute is not something I'm comfortable with right now. Just want to make sure I'm not gong to get all the way to Trail camp and have to turn around due to snowed-in switch backs.
Phil K, I think the switchbacks will be the way to go in 3 weeks. There will be some ice at the cables, but people get past it with a little caution.
Sierra Seeker: If you are coming from near sea level, the best way would be to spend your night at Outpost Camp, since it is considerably lower than Trail Camp. Then get up early and try to leave for the summit at 5 AM. The lower altitude will help keep the altitude sickness symptoms down, but you are still close enough to summit and return in one day.
Steve, Thanks for the input. We had some snow pack last year around the cables and got through ok. Had to move off course a bit to get around it, but we skirted past that pretty easy. Once we got to Trail crest and started going up the backside, that's where it got a little tricky and concerning. I'm hoping that snow continues to melt with the local high temps and won't be too bad. I'll be prepped with Crampons and am hoping that's enough for that part of the trail. Thanks again for all your input. This forum is great for preparation.
Anusha - I was planning to rent REI crampons but they came with mountaineering boots and they didn't have my size (it seems to be a popular weekend) I am getting both CAMP Stalker Universal Crampons (straps on hiking boots) and microspikes and then play it by the ear.
Looks like we have a crowd coming in for June 5th/6th so that's great
Good luck everyone, hope to see you all at the summit!
a group of 4 of us are hiking from W Portal to Whitney on June 16 -17, camping at trailhead on 15th and basecamp on the 16th. Hope the conditions will be less snowy/icy and run into a few hikers!
Looking forward to my annual Mount Whitney trip on June 23rd. Love to see any post on current trail conditions and photos. Hoping that the now warmer weather conditions will melt the show on the 99 and crest trail to the summit.
We succumbed to our nervous energy and went a day early.
Sitting at the portal store waiting for our burgers.
My 14 year old son and I made the summit leaving at 2:00 am, 9:15 at the top and portal at 4:15. Extremely proud of him!!
The chute was firm and pretty well booted and we left the crampons in the pack and went (actually all the way from trail camp to the summit) in our micro spikes. We used an ice axe up and down the chute.
It did get pretty soft as we were coming down around noon and we down climbed the very top (I actually had to self arrest once) before a combo of plunge stepping and glissading.
Fantastic day!! Thanks for all the info here and good luck to all those heading up.
Few edits: I'd say spikes are for you if you have experience with an ice axe.
I saw some booting up the switchbacks but the going was very slow and looked no safer (maybe less?) than the chute
The backside has melted a lot from the Pictures of last week. Many were coming up from the PCT with micro spikes and poles and doing fine.
Thanks Steve. Sorry for not clarifying last night. We crashed
I wasn't comfortable letting him glissade the very top of the chute so we down climbed, me first kicking steps and him above me. The boot pack we came up had been over-slid by others and was soft/slick enough that I actually lost footing and had to arrest there.
Really easy to stop but just to illustrate to others that the Axe is the tool needed for the chute. My son had no problem coming down, glissading and arresting to stop a few times as well.
We saw several parties above the chute heading up as we were descending with no axes or crampons/spikes that must have managed somehow.
Weirdly, there was a solitary boot with a crampon still attached half way up the chute over near the rocks. Not sure what that was about. Anybody? Left over from one of those evacs last month?
My son and I are in Utah and we try to hike every weekend. For the last few months (with this trip in mind) we have concentrated on peaks with snow/ice which he had not had much experience, mostly in the Wasatch range with elevations in the 9-10K range.
The Memorial day weekend before Whitney we climbed Mt Peale (12,726) and Mt Waas (12,336) in the La Sal range near Moab, both of which has long frozen snow ascents and similar descents just to make sure we where ready.
I will add a few photos. Sorry there aren't more as I was trying to keep up with my kid!
Bob T posted these pictures on FB today. From Saturday, June 4. Note that the "chute" is the slope west of the 99 switchbacks that most people are taking between Trail Camp and Trail Crest.
"Snow above Trail Camp en route to the chute to get to Trail Crest."
"In the chute to get to Trail Crest."
"Intersection of the JMT to Guitar Lake and 1.9 miles to Whitney Summit trail."
"A short distance from Trail Crest."
(This picture take from the summit of Mt Muir. Look closely, you can see a nice switchback use trail in the chute area. ...click on picture for full-size.) "Boot is pointing at the 99 switchbacks on the Whitney Trail (which are closed from snow). The chute to their right is the way up/down right now."
Based on previous years info, in two or three weeks, most people will be using the switchbacks. Soon after, nobody will be using "the chute", as it will be too melted out, with postholing and rocks protruding.
...now I'll be watching to see if/when this prediction becomes true.
Based off the pictures I'm seeing, it looks like this can be done without mountaineering boots? I was planning on bringing my batura's, but it would be great to use my light hiking boots. Can anyone who has gone recently confirm this? Thanks!
Congratulations to everyone who was able to enjoy Mount Whitney this past week.
We had an incredible experience, and a successful summit. The weather was clear (stunning stars, but strong and unforgiving sun). Temperatures were in the 80s at the Portal and 60s at Trail Camp during the day; 30s at Trail Camp when the sun went down. We hiked up 6/4 to Trail Camp (started at 10:45 AM and got to Trail Camp at 3:15 PM), camped the night, and took the chute up the next morning (started at 3 AM and summited at 7:30 AM; the chute took 2.5 hours).
Training: I had run a marathon about a month ago, and hiked or ran every weekend leading up to this trip. This definitely helped me in the altitude. My husband, Conor, ran most days and we backpacked in the John Muir Wilderness the weekend before at about 9-10K feet. I wish we had more time to be in altitude, but we live at sea level and it’s hard to get to.
Altitude: Originally, we planned on doing this as a day hike on Sunday, but because we had time constraints (we had to be off of the trail by mid afternoon on Sunday), we changed our permit to overnight on Saturday. We got to the visitor's center lottery at 8 AM. We were really lucky that there was a cancellation right when we needed this overnight permit, but I think we would've gotten it anyway even if it meant we had to wait for the 11 AM lottery. The time at Trail Cramp to acclimate was worth carrying the weight for an overnight.
We both took Diamox (acetazolamide) 125 mg twice daily starting the day before and continuing until we descended. I think this really helped, and according to my research, studies show it’s 75% effective. We saw a few people suffer from altitude sickness, and it looked awful. We also drank a lot of water and ate things we know are appetizing to us. The altitude/sun/wind gave us both mild headaches and the breathing was tough, but that was the worst of it.
Equipment: We rented mountaineering boots, crampons, and ice axes from REI. We had bought microspikes, but returned them after reading some trip reports from May. I have relatively sturdy hiking boots (North Face Storm), and was able to use the crampons on them without using mountaineering boots. Conor has military desert boots, which don’t fit crampons and are not waterproof. Because it was a long ascent to Trail Camp where there was little snow, Conor did not want to do it in rented boots that he was not used to. So he carried the rented mountaineering boots, and used his regular hiking boots for the approach. It added weight to his pack, but he was able to deal with it (I probably wouldn’t have).
If doing the chute, the ice axes were a must because it is a lifeline. I’m not sure what people do without them to arrest a fall without one. The crampons were a nice on the chute, but not necessary. We saw several people with microspikes doing fine. There was a huge variety in the equipment people chose. Some people had everything – hiking poles, crampons, ice axes, and mountaineering boots. Others had just sneakers and nothing else. I even saw some people wearing crampons with trail running shoes.
Trail Conditions: The main trail was beautifully maintained, well-worn, and easy to follow up until Trail Camp. I did not see anyone attempt the switchbacks completely, and I think I saw someone fall from the cables. The chute had many boot tracks, and the stiff snow in the early morning made for a pretty easy ascent (all things considered). The trail after Trail Crest was a mixture of gravel, stones, and snow. We didn’t use our crampons and ice axes for this part, but opted for our hiking poles. Most of it was easy to get through, with the exception of one area where you had to go around rocks shortly after the intersection with the JMT. It was doable without more equipment than hiking poles, but required a lot of care. Microspikes would’ve been nice here because of the variety of trail conditions. Several people did this section fully with crampons, but it didn't look comfortable to be on solid rock with them. Heading from the summit back to Trail Crest, the snow remained firm for us with a few patches of ice, but I can see it getting sketchier with slushier/slippery conditions. The chute was the consistency of wet cement when we got there around 10 AM. We walked down to the less steep part where we felt more comfortable. We had never glissaded before, but the snow was slow enough that even I felt confident enough to try (I was really worried about it, and pretty sure I was going to walk down). It was very efficient and so much fun! The ice axe was key; I would not recommend glissading without an ice axe.
Pictures: My facebook album is open to the public. Search “Anusha McNamara” – I think I’m the only one out there ☺. Feel free to post them on here too.
Thank you so much for everyone contributing on this forum - it was very valuable information. Good luck to everyone with future permits, and enjoy this beautiful mountain!
Seriously incredible stuff here and great report anusha and congrats to all the recent summits! My group is setting out this Sunday early AM for the day hike. I have mountaineering boots which i plan on wearing, and it looks like there is a variety of microspikes and crampons. Has anyone had any experience with renting crampons and an ice axe from Lone Pine Sporting goods or Elevation Sierra? I read so much about people saying not to do it and bad quality...
Also, any chance the switchbacks will be doable after another 6 days of warm weather? Thanks everyone!
The snow on the chute will be softer if you get there around 8 AM since the sun rises around 5:30 AM now. I'm not very experienced differences between microspikes and crampons in different conditions. The advantage microspikes would have is they seem good in varied terrain. But I wonder if crampons might be better in softer snow on the chute. You probably know better than I do!
Seriously awesome report, Anusha! Congrats! We had to have passed each other on the backside when you were going down and us up. You really captured the day well, both in pictures and descriptions.
We talked to some folks yesterday at our hotel (so second hand) that said Elevation only rents crampons and not ice axes. The people at Elevation were super helpful though so may want to call them to double check. Maybe REI?
We used flexible, light hiking boots (scarpa moraine and vasque Talus) that work fine with both universal crampons (Grivel air tech light) and microspikes.
Again, if you are experienced with an axe (and you should be) then I think microspikes are sufficient and are more suited to the backside where there is a mix of snow, dirt and rock. Crampons would of course be more solid in the chute, but given the boot pack we never put them on and just continued in microspikes.
We put spikes on at trail camp and left them on until we were back at trail camp again (after miles and miles in microspikes over rock and dirt we have not noticed undue wear in the spikes/chains. The rubber part will wear out first so we just tend to leave them on).
Keep in mind that conditions could be a bit different when you go depending on temperatures.
We day hiked the main trail yesterday (6/6). We left the portal at 2am, summitted at 9, and were back by 3pm. Here are the details most were asking about:
-switch backs still full of snow. Several people tried them, they all bailed for the chute. -The chute requires crampons early in the day. Despite what NOAA says the trail is still freezing above 12,000 ft at night. We came across lots of recently frozen puddles on our hike in, and the snow was rock hard. The chute is relatively easy to get up when it's frozen if you have crampons. Later in the day when it turns to mashed potatoes you can probably get up with boots if you don't mind slipping every other step. -After trail crest there is still snow and ice on the trail. After 9am it gets pretty slick. -Glissading in the afternoon is easy and fun! -Don't glissade all the way to the bottom of the chute. It's very hard to find the trail and you may end up on a rock scramble for 40 min that makes your hiking partner mad at you. Pick out your end point from the top!
My advice is to get to the chute at dawn and use crampons to get up. Then glissade down after the sun has softened the snow. Do NOT attempt to glissade if a shadow is on the chute.
This was posted on Instagram by csgarcia93 It's the first picture we have this year at the cables on the switchbacks.
Her caption: "I laugh that this photo was taken just before almost falling off the side of the trail and ending up waist deep in melting snow holding onto those ropes for safety. I'm happy to say that the trail conditions determined whether I made it to the top or not, not my lack of preparedness or conditioning. This weekend was an overall amazing experience. Mt. Whitney I'll be back for you."
Yes, you can use regular hiking boots, I managed well in my Merrel Moab+crampons but I did run into few people who managed even in (trail?) running shoes (not recommended at all). A lot of PCT'ers showed in microspikes but then they weren't doing the chute (though plenty managed chutes on microspikes) Just aim to get done before sunrise when snow is still frosty.
I glissaded down the chute about 1:30pm, pretty much mashed potato. Could come to stop digging my heals in and using ice-ax bar to control speed, left with a sore/numb right arm. Took a lot of strength to get any control (worth all the hours saved )
Hi Folks, Thanks for the latest updates. Here is my question. I am not sure we are up to this trip. I am 50 (but in good shape for 50). My son is 15 and in great shape for 15. I have self arrested 20 years ago but not since. My son never has never used crampons or an ice axe.
I was not planning for this much snow when I put in for the lottery and we got an earlier slot than I expected. So we are scheduled for June 11. Planning to start at 2AM from the bottom, up and back in one day.
Does anyone think the switchbacks will be open by Saturday? Having not snow climbed in along time and my kid never - will we be able to get up the chute? Also, we have inexpensive but in good shape Hi-tech boots. Think that is a mistake? Also, the last time I did this we roped up when climbing Mt. Hood. Does no one use ropes on Whitney?
I think you and your son can do it. If you don't glissade down, there isn't as much risk and not as much need for ice axe.
I think the switchbacks will take you longer than using the chute. This year, people have put in a good zig-zag boot-track on the chute area, so you can follow that, both up and down.
You guys can definitely do it! I had never used crampons or an ice axe before and it was no problem. Leaving at 2 should be fine. If you're in good shape that will give you plenty of time.
We talked to a ranger who thought the switchbacks may be open this weekend, but wasn't sure. I'm sure you guys will be fine! Have fun!
Thanks for all the updates. I plan on hiking Whitney this Sat, June 11th (one day summit). I currently own Microspikes and plan on renting crampons. I wanted to find out whether you recommend one or the other (or both)? Thx for input!
tomandjeff - I agree with Richmond! My husband and I also never used ice axes or crampons before and we were fine. I had looked up YouTube videos of how to arrest with an ice axe, and practiced to make sure I felt comfortable when we were there. You can always walk down the chute if needed. We also brought a rope just in case, but never used it. You don't need to bring one up; not worth the weight. You will do great!
Kay - Keep watching the weather reports and play it by ear. If conditions are similar to when we climbed on 6/4-6/5 (which I highly doubt), it might be worth bringing both the crampons and microspikes and see how you feel when you get there. I saw people use microspikes and they got up the chute ok, but this was when the snow was firm at 3 AM. For a day hike, by the time you get to the chute, the conditions will be softer. I would definitely recommend microspikes for the backside, but the chute might be nicer in crampons. However, if the snow melts enough, and you can do the switchbacks, microspikes might be enough to carry.
If the current weather trends continue then it's likely but I'd suggest keep an eye glued here
I ran into many doing just fine with microspikes but they were definitely not new to hiking in snow..
My recommendation: Day hikers should definitely carry crampons+ice axes unless there's clear word out there on not needing them.
Overnight campers can afford to use microspikes in firm snow if they start early in the night (finish the chute by sunrise) and walk down the chute on all fours.
Hello everyone, thanks a lot for all the updated information! It's encouraging to see people climbing up the chute despite having limited/no experience with ice axe and crampons etc.
I will be day-hiking Whitney on coming Sunday. I plan to start from Whitney Portal at midnight in order to summit around sunrise.
Has anyone used switchbacks to climb up yet?
I am more worried about getting down the chute rather than climbing up, considering the heat during day.
Let's hope we get to use switchbacks this weekend. Fingers crossed!
Please keep this forum updated on how the switchbacks look when you hike this weekend. We are hiking on the 23rd and have a group of 8, mainly non-experienced snow hikers doing Mt. Whitney for the first time. We'd really prefer to work our way up the switchbacks and then back down the same way, but will only go that way if it's safe. This forum is the best out there for feedback, so your input is priceless.
Amit, I promise going down the chute isn't as bad as it looks. I was really fearful about it, and ended up having a blast glissading for the first time ever (probably the most fun I've ever had on a mountain, which is saying a lot). By the time you go down, the snow will be soft and slow. Good luck!
I talked to a guy who completed the hike a day ago. Here is what he said about switchbacks:
Don't worry about all the rumors you hear about it, it really wasn't that bad. The first half mile from guitar lake is a bit difficult to find the switchbacks because they're covered in snow, but it was fine with microspikes. The switchbacks at the top were easy to use as well, it's snow covered until about half a mile from the summit, but again it was fine with microspikes. People had carved out footholds on any part that needed them. With microspikes and an ice ax, it's entirely manageable. Same with forester pass.
Edit: the above paragraph is addressing the west side of Mt. Whitney -- the John Muir Trail where it climbs Mt Whitney. Forester Pass is about 15 miles north of Mt Whitney on the JMT.
Hey Phil, a group of four of us will be doing an overnight hike next weekend, 6/16 -17. From the posts and photos so far and my experience from 2 years ago, the switchbacks will be doable as soon as next week. I will plan to provide my update in this forum after the hike.
Amit - this sounds like two different sets of switchbacks I think most everyone is referring to the 97-99 switchbacks from trail camp to trail crest which is on the main whitney trail.
if your guy is talking about guitar lake that would be the switchbacks that bring you up from the valley if your on the JMT forrester pass is also a section of the JMT that is not related to hiking mt whitney
Luisito - I will look forward to your trip report, I am coming up on Sunday to camp and acclimate and hiking on tuesday/wednesday - hoping to leave any extra crampons and ice axes behind if I can!
Shane - we are doing an overnight on Sunday - Monday. Fingers crossed the weather passes quickly and everyone is able to summit safely. We'll probably see your group on our way up - best of luck!
Going up the chute was very laborious. Trail crest narrow and icy in spots. Glissade was dangerous and people got hurt. Lots of trail under water due to rapid snow melt causes lots of main trail to be under water. I would wait till July to attempt summit.
BLUF: Did a solo climb yesterday 10 June. Total time 15:54 minutes. Left portal at 2:45 where there was plenty of parking. Needed crampons and an axe, ultimately glissading wasn't too bad.
Got my pass at around 1130 the night before from the overnight box at the visitor center. Spoke to the woman on the phone the day before and she said there would be street parking along portal road for 1 more week. Slept in my car until 230 and hit the trail.
The hike all the way up to trail camp was a breeze, no issues there. The only questionable point was about a half mile into the hike where there was a bit of a sketch creek crossing that I would have preferred not to do alone or in the dark, but I had no one to blame for that but me.
I found following the trail in the dark very easy. Two or three times I would take a step and realize, wait a minute, I must have missed a switchback, and then right behind me would be the switchback.
The chute was where the fun started. I definitely needed both crampons and an axe, some were doing it with just poles and crampons, but I needed the axe (certainly to descend). I was wearing tennis shoes because I was nervous about the creek crossings and so forth and kept telling myself when my feet get wet I will switch into my hiking boots, I actually kept the tennis shoes on all the way to the summit even through the chute, looking back on it I might have just stuck with boots the whole time.
It took me what seemed like forever to get up the chute. There were not good tracks to follow and the ice (it was around 8 or 830) was hard to dig my crampon into. Ultimately I made it up and to the summit around 11. The climb from vista to the summit was windy and a little unnerving but not too bad. There were some pockets of snow/ice but always with enough rocks to hold onto so you never felt like you were going to go over the edge.
The descent is where the fun started. I was nervous to glissade because the chute is so steep and long and the ice had melted to a mushy snow by the early afternoon. After an attempt at walking through someone's previous switchbacks (and one slip that required a mild self arrest) I gave up on walking and decided to give my rear a try. It worked quite well, going 20 or so yards at a time before stopping myself so I wouldn't go to fast. All around me though folks were losing control and panicking to a stop after 30-50 yards. One individual had only poles and took off for the bottom, whether it was intentional or not I do not know, but down he went.
After the chute it was mostly fine, all downhill obviously and pretty easy. It's been said time and time again that the thing that makes this hike difficult isn't the technicality but the length, and that is certainly true. 16 hours later I was back, and happy to be done!
Thank you for the update, MDRhiker! Sounds like you did great! Was any part of the trail flooded? Another hiker noted it was quite a challenge as many parts of the trail was flooded on June 6th due to recent snow melt. A group of us is doing an overnight hike this coming weekend - 6/16-17.
I summited last thursday. By the afternoon the chute was soft snow and not ice. In the morning it's straight ice, by the time I hit it to glissade it was soft snow but I still gained a ton of speed.
I had a blast, but be super careful, lots of rocks at the bottom and some under the snow.
Before I get to details please note the following: I found 2 very disappointing things on the way up/down: The first was poo. Full wag bags were left many places. For example, there was one 20’ from Lone Pine lake, another In the middle of a small island in the creek at Trailside Meadow, and several others spots. There was also uncovered human waste about 8’ from the lake at trail camp. The second disappointment was trash. It is early summer still, and there was a lot of trash on the trail and around camps. Not all of it was microtrash that was inadvertently carried away by the wind. For example, there was one gallon size orange juice bottle (?!) on the trail near trail camp. I had no more room left in my pack or I would have picked it up.
Please pack out your feces like you agreed to do! I can't see why it would be, if its an emergency and you must leave it, go AT LEAST 100 feet from water source or camp, dig deep and cover, and don’t add plastic (wag bag) to your biohazard litter. Please try to leave the mountain cleaner than you found it. No one goes there to see other peoples poo and trash.
Rant over, now trail report from trip on 6/8 through 6/11.
Lower trail still has snow blocking switchbacks in a few places past Lone Pine Lake and up. They are easily seen and passed in daylight. It is not flooded, stream crossings are easily doable. Switchbacks were not yet usable. I did talk to one crew that said they climbed them past the cables but did not make it to trail crest. Not sure how they did that.
Started chute at 06:00, reached trail crest at about 08:00. It was just barely starting to soften up at about 8:00. I did it with spikes and an axe. I think the spikes were better than crampons. A few people were making ascent with only poles and spikes/crampons. Ascent was doable this way, but descending without axe was very strenuous and dangerous.
Past trail crest there are still several snowed/iced over areas on trail. In a several places hikers must follow the tracks off/above trail through well packed and iced over snow. Most of these are over sheer drops, so not for faint of heart. The big boulder blocking trail-pictured in an earlier post-no longer has any snow around it.
The glissade descent from trail crest was done in soft corny mash at about noon. From the top it is very intimidating, and I would not have wanted to do it without the axe, nor with any shadows on the slope. Many folks were unfamiliar with technique, and a few got dangerously out control. Its surprising no one got seriously injured. A few lost poles, and one lost an axe on descent. These were retrieved during the short time I was watching, but it's possible some were not since the season began, so add potentially submerged projectiles to glissade hazard list. Go as slow as you can.
I will add that I had no experience with this equipment, but studied and practiced glissading, arresting and other axe skills before attempt. It was still at the hairy edge of my comfort zone.
I did not see anything that was flooded. There were a few stream crossings, maybe 4-5, all of which were made easy to cross by rocks that were in place. The only tough one was the one I mentioned which required a little more attention but was manageable. A stick made it a lot easier, so I'm assuming people will poles had an easier time.
Originally Posted By: Luisito
Thank you for the update, MDRhiker! Sounds like you did great! Was any part of the trail flooded? Another hiker noted it was quite a challenge as many parts of the trail was flooded on June 6th due to recent snow melt. A group of us is doing an overnight hike this coming weekend - 6/16-17.
Agreed about the human waste, I saw several wag bags too. Why use them if you are just going to leave them?! One was left in a stream it seemed right were someone might think was a good water source, gross.
You said the switchbacks were not usable, I didn't use them but I did speak to 2 people who summited and descended using the switchbacks and not the chute. they said one in their party turned back out of fear, but that they made it without trouble.
you mentioned after crest having to go off the trial, I did not experience that.
Agreed about the human waste, I saw several wag bags too. Why use them if you are just going to leave them?! One was left in a stream it seemed right were someone might think was a good water source, gross.
You said the switchbacks were not usable, I didn't use them but I did speak to 2 people who summited and descended using the switchbacks and not the chute. they said one in their party turned back out of fear, but that they made it without trouble.
you mentioned after crest having to go off the trial, I did not experience that.
You saw the bag I was talking about at Trailside Meadow. I moved that bag (ewe) from the middle of stream as far as I could from water and covered it with a large stone. Fortunately I had antiseptic wipes! It had been damaged by critters, so may have been dragged to the location we saw. As you said, Why?!
Past trail crest there were about 2-4 snow/ice areas that were maybe 3-6 above the trail and between 8-12 in length. If you were moving at a good clip you probably didn't notice trail below as these were well worn tracks, and probably looked like the trail.
This is a significantly late entry, but possibly helpful to any solo hikers out there. I started my journey as a solo overnight female hiker on the MT 5/27. I encountered snow starting at around 9.5K, I'm sure much of that is melting now. I made it to trail camp but did not get to attempt the summit due to one of my crampons slipping on my regular hiking boots. But I did have a fantastic time though! Watched the morning alpine glow, the sun rise (I camped just left of the outskirts of trail camp- I had a 360* view of no other campers in site) which made it totally worth it! It was the adventure, peace, and solitude I was hoping for despite not making it to the summit.
Here is my list of things that were helpful for me. I have done many trekking trips, a 16.5K & 19.5K, but this was my 1st overnight solo hike. So naturally I was an overly prepared girl scout.
Mistakes I made
*Blk Diamond Crampons w/ regular Lowa hiking boots. Unfortunately the pair I rented- one of the metal beads that holds the size in place would slip out when my boot flexed when walking on ice. UGH!!Obviously NOT a recognizable problem until I got to TC and did a practice run on icy snow. Therefore, it was a NO GO and I was scratched from attempting the morning summit. BUMMER! Hard plastic Mnt boots (the kind that don't flex w/ walking) are a MUCH BETTER guarantee despite many others having similar hiking boots/crampons.
*Stove- don't take it. Plenty of available H20 and you'll only be noshing on snacks. I would take an MRE next time if I really thought I would want a hot meal (which I did not).
* Too much of everything for that matter. Stick to your instincts, if you are a solo hiker and don't have group members sherpa-ing your stuff around. ** I carried 47LBS to TC. That is 2 more LBS than a 1/3 of my body weight btw. It was tough and I was tired when reaching trail camp.
Helpful tips
*Mount Whitney Trail Samsung phone app w/ Version service + extra battery charger. Very accurate when I lost the trail twice buried in snow and followed footsteps of other hikes making the same mistake. Once at Mirror Lake and once after passing Trail Side Meadow.
* Carrying 47lbs as a solo hiker was exhausting. I started at 6:30am, after getting lost twice adding 1 hr to my time, made it to TC at 1:45pm. This gave me plenty of time to talk to other hikers and recover from being a bit tired. I was very fresh the next morning after going to bed at 7:30pm the night before. I was the 2nd hikers to make it into TC, all other hikers started rolling in at 5:30-7pm. In my opinion getting to bed early for an early summit would have worked in my favor.
Info from other hikers
Inventory from the 22 other hikers coming off the Mnt- on my acclimation hike ( 5/26) and actual hike (5/27). Only 5 ppl made it to summit. 3 ppl started the summit from TC at 7am and returned to TC at 5pm. The other two successful ppl started at 3:30am (not sure of their finish times). Many ppl stated they froze in the night.
Robert W: Re 99 switchbacks, they were still very much covered w/ snow 5/27 and only the chute was the accessible route. However, by 6/23 I image they would have melted. Be sure to keep checking this webpage for frequent updates. But if this forum isn't helpful, I know when I picked up my permit the ranger was informative regarding the conditions on the chute. I am sure you could call the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center for current updates as well.
I went up on 6/10 with two other friends. We started up the trail at 1:50AM. The first two creek crossings about a mile into the trail and just before the John Muir Wilderness sign had a good flow of water crossing the trail. The first creek crossing was not sketchy, but the second creek crossing could be sketchy to the inexperienced. Slow down, use your trekking poles to stabilize and ensure a solid footing on the rocks as you cross. From there to the Whitney Zone sign is a breeze. There was a sketchy patch of snow a little ways up from the sign leading to Big Horn park that was a little icy at night. Use care when crossing this patch and you'll be fine. The hike thru the meadow at Big Horn Park thru Outpost Camp is very pleasant. Once past Mirror Lake and heading up the rocky domes above Big Horn, it can be easy to lose the trail if you don't pay attention. There's two patches of snow that cross the trail. Slow down again, get your bearings and use your best judgement. We ended up scrambling up some rocks before realizing where the trail was. Nothing really sketchy here because it's obvious where you have to go. Trail Side Meadow was beautiful with a snow free trail all the way up to nearly Trail Camp. Maybe a quarter mile before TC there's some areas where you have to hike thru a bit of snow. With a little care it's no big deal. The lake at TC is snow and ice free. We refilled there and I have to say it's the most refreshing tasting water you'll ever have. TC is snow free. The 99 switchbacks looked passable for the most part. I couldn't get a solid view of the cables but based off of a picture I saw more then a week ago, a lot of snow has melted away from the cable area which looked passable with care. My group opted to head for the chute. There's still quite a bit of snow on the chute, but it's melting fast. We started up the chute around 8:30AM. We had on Micro spikes and used our trekking poles to get up. One of the guys with me made it up a third of the way. By then the snow really got mushy and he was uncomfortable going up and trying to get down since he had no experience in snow before. The other member in my group opted to continue up. We watched him successfully make it to the top of Trail Crest in about 45 minutes. He met us later that afternoon and said it took him 2 hours to get to the summit from Trail Crest and the going was easy other then stopping to catch a breath now and then. 2 hours back to Trail Crest and about 5 minutes to glissade down the chute with an ice axe to self arrest. It was a great day, amazing weather, and awesome experience to be on Whitney again (I've summitted before 2 years ago).
Regarding the switch backs, I eventually got a decent visual on them and did see a group make there way up and thru the cables. the last switch back leading to Trail Crest had a little snow but from there to the cables appeared relatively snow free, some areas had little snow but was nothing to worry about. Majority of the snow seen on the switch backs was at the cables and a few switch backs below. With the high temps lately I'd say they'll be snow free in a week or two.
I do want to make a note regarding the chute. We saw many people not prepared to go up or down. Some had an axe and no crampons or spikes. Others had nothing at all and were using a large pocket knife as a self arresting tool. My advice is if you don't have the appropriate gear, do not go up or down the chute. Additionally, if you don't know the proper technique or are not with anyone that knows proper technique, you have no business being up there. You put yourself and others at great risk.
I wish you all the best at your attempts! Enjoy the experience, and make lots of great memories! Stay safe and use good judgement. The mountain will always be there!
I read this thread several times before the trip, so I'd like to return the favor with some information.
Headed up on 6/11 from Whitney Portal. Left at 12:30 am. Trail up to Trail Camp is pretty much free of snow. Running water at Trail Camp and at the bottom of the Switchbacks.
Climbed the Chute at 4:00 am. The snow was firm and it was very easy in crampons. The Switchbacks are still filled in with snow but we saw several people take that route.
Trail from Trail Crest has patches of ice on several sections but with some care these can be navigated without a problem.
On the way back, just as we reached Trail Crest @ 12:00, we saw an ice axe and poles scattered on the slope of the Chute. A group that came up said that two guys tumbled down from the very top and ended up in the rocks at the bottom, one of them was hurt badly. We called 911 and reported the fall. Retrieved their axe on the way down but everyone was gone by the time we descended.
As we hiked out, other hikers told us that both were relatively OK. One had a major burn/gash on the leg (we saw a picture) from hitting the rocks and the other had no visible injuries. The backstory to their fall was that they glissaded as a "train" and lost control right away.
All of the people who saw or heard about the fall opted to descend via the Switchbacks and as far as we could tell they did make it down.
The snow was mushy and easy to hike down in the Chute but there are patches of ice in the old glissade paths, so pay attention.
Thank you for all of your posts and pictures. We are heading up on Friday morning around 2:30am. The route looks to be 50/50 on the switchbacks vs the chute. 6 years ago we went up the chute in June in microspikes and it was long, steep, and <expletive> grueling but the glissading was smooth, safe, and fun. That was a 2-day trip, with a lot of snow, but this time we are doing it in 1 day.
I am seeing a lot of comments about the dangers of the chute. What is the preferred option: Chute or Switchbacks? The switchbacks were completely snow covered last time.
Is the chute more dangerous later in the day with the melt?
Also, does anyone know how difficult it is to find open spots at Whitney Portal Campground? I couldn't book a site for Wed night as it is full, but walk-ins are available.
Hi everyone, not sure how the threads work on posting, but wanted to report back. Thanks for all the feedback, we had a successful one-day summit on 06/11/16. The forecast wasn't looking so great with 50% snow after 11 am. It ended up hailing, cloudy, a windy summit for some and rain by 8pm. As the weather changes daily (and this post becomes irrelevant), I found this site to be helpful for weather updates: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-118.277916&lat=36.592408#.V18Yx-YrLWY
Regarding the 99 switchback, we heard a few were able to use this route and only parts are covered with snow. We opted for the chute, and admittedly, this was the most challenging part of the hike. On the way up the chute, we veered off to the rocky patch as recommended by some who said it was safer. However, we found it to be slower, watching those on the chute pass us by.
On the descend, while my partner successfully glissaded, I had trouble controlling my speed. We returned late so the snow was softer and I had trouble digging my ice axe deep enough to self arrest and slow down. Crampons and ice axe highly recommended for the chute. It's rather steep and slippery so make the right choice at the top because once you slide down, there's no turning back (well, you can always can hike back up). If it's too slippery, you can also put your crampons back on and hike down. Given the condition of current snow, I would have chosen the switchback. Besides the chute, the rest can be done with regular hiking shoes. When the clouds cleared, it was a beautiful view.
It is a long hike and I commend you all for trying. I wish everyone a successful summit and wonderful experience at Whitney. The weather should only get better from here, all the best.
went up from portal at 12:30am for a 1 day summit on 6/10. went up the chute. need crampons and ice axe. need to climb the chute early, before 8am, when snow is hard. later in the day, snow does not hold. I reached the bottom of last rock before crest at 10am but snow was too soft and I can not make it on the rock and slide down. my mistake for not bring a rope. good luck you guys and go early. the climb is long and hard, takes a while. a few guys in our group did it. practice self arresting before you go. hold tight to your axe.
Thanks everyone for the great posts about the conditions. Planning a day hike with my son on Sunday. I see some comments about the switchbacks but has anyone here taken them up to Trail Crest? I don't think we're experienced enough to try the chute.
Hi Nick, our group is going up on Thurs, 16th, camp at trail camp and then summit on Fri, 17th early morning. Based on the recent reports so far, we probably will hike up the chute early (around 4a) and depending on conditions, take the switchbacks down. Maybe we will run into each other on Fri.
I am going up with a couple of my friends on Sunday morning from the portal. We are going to attempt doing it in one day. We probably will end up taking the switchbacks both ways if possible. I will post the results of our hike.
Thank you all for the great posts. I've been watching this thread for a while to plan for my overnight run starting Thursday, June 16. Unfortunately, all of my group fell ill so I'll be flying solo. I have reached the summit twice before but since I am inexperienced with crampons and an ice axe (and going solo), my plan is to take the switchbacks both ways.
A group of 5 of us are heading up for an overnight run starting June 16th. The conditions look good so far! Planning to try the switchbacks also and maybe ascend up the chute route. Maybe we will run into you, modest!
I will post an update re: the hike for you guys heading up on Sunday
Report from hike on Sunday 6/12. Weather was less than ideal- we hit the trail at 2:30 with quite a bit of rain and lightning in the area. Fortunately the rain stopped as we hit Muir Lake, and the sun broke shortly thereafter. By the time we hit trail camp, we had clear skies and a window to reach the summit. As expected the switchbacks were inaccessible due to high snow levels, so we put on our crampons and went up the chute (mostly using hiking poles but using ice axe as well). Four of us made it to the top of the chute at ~9:30- 3 of us continued to reach the summit shortly before noon. We could see a storm quickly moving in as we reached the summit, and as we began our descent we had heavy snow fall. We then glissaded down the chute (only option due to snow levels). Getting down took a while due to heavy snow (difficult to locate the trail at bottom of chute due to lot of snow), but we made it back safely late afternoon.
Anyone hiking in the next few weeks- there will be a lot of snow, be prepared to go up the chute.
Question- when we reached the bottom there were two solo hikers that had not made it down, their friends had gone to the ranger station to report it. Does anyone know if they made it down alright?
Agreed, a lot of conflicting reports. Also would anyone know the status of the JMT side of the Whitney ascent? Planning to summit the 23rd and am hoping snow gear won't be necessary.
Thanks to everyone here posting. Really appreciate all the info.
We went to Whitney last weekend, entry on Saturday 11 and exit on Sunday 12.
We reached trail camp on Saturday afternoon. The trail was 95% snow free, and we had just a little bit of rain on the way. However, on Saturday around 8pm, a snowstorm reached us, coming from the trailhead. It was quite scary to be in such an exposed area with the lightenings. We were planning to start around 3AM as many other backpackers, but the first window of lightening-free weather was around 7am. We took this opportunity to climb down, as most other backpackers at trail camp.
It seems to be a common pattern to have lightening at night. Be prepared for it and be safe. We were very surprised how the conditions can change from spring to winter in a few hours. In the evening, we had dinner on a grassy area by a charming lake at trail camp. Next morning, everything is covered with snow and the lake is frozen.
People who took exclusively the chute were advising to take the switchbacks. People who took exclusively the switchbacks were advising to take the chute. Yes, this is confusing. However, people who climbed up the chute and climbed down the switchback, were saying this was the a good option. However, this was before the 20cm snow fall. After the snow fall, glissading down might be easier with the snow decelerating your descent.
Be safe on the mountain, and thanks to everyone for sharing their trip, this helped us a lot!
I'm showing summit temps in the 40s starting on Sunday. We are planning to hike up the 28th, camp at trail camp, then summit the 29th and return same day.
I have no experience with crampons but feel comfortable walking in them. I have no experience with an ice axe and if we must go up or down the chute, that's a no go for me.
Can anyone predict with reasonable accuracy if the switchbacks will melt sufficiently by the 29th?
I have seen several reports now that a few people are using the switchbacks, especially to descend.
We also can see the weather forecasts moving the highs 20 to even 30 degrees higher than a few days ago. Lots of snow melting will occur over the next two weeks. I think by the 28th, most will be using the switchbacks, both climbing and descending.
Thanks. Very helpful. We're thinking, based on what I read, to do that exact thing: chute up and switchbacks down. Not sure whether to use crampons or spikes. We have both but we've never used crampons. Any suggestions?
Hiked up from trail camp this morning and almost all of the groups were exclusively using the switchbacks. There was about 8 groups heading up early between 2-3 am. Some where still glissading down the chute to save time but I don't believe many were going up it today. Our group of 4 did the whole thing without crampons or an axe so very doable especially as the week progresses. The cables and transitioning off the last switchback into trail crest were the worst spots. Microspikes or yak tracks recommended if your unsure.
Long story short, we didn't summit. Lost the two strangers that had wanted to tag along pretty quickly since they weren't comfortable with the terrain, then the person I was guiding decided she had reached her comfort level as well and turned back. Just me and the wilderness, like old times.
We had decided to tackle the switchbacks due to them not being comfortable with the chute, but then quickly realized that trail was completely snowed over, causing everyone else to call it a day. I ended up jumping on the outside of the railings and just edging across the ledge. Took a break at the above photographed location while it was still relatively safe (you can see the area where I was shuffling along the outside of the rails), shortly after which it became considerably less friendly.
I ended up turning around at an icy pass with unstable terrain. I could have kept going, but for the first time in my life I didn't have the usual crazy urge inside of me to push my limits. Half crouched with one hand on the rail and the other holding my axe as certain thoughts raced through my mind, I made the call and put my ice axe back on my pack and headed down. Some things aren't worth risking.
I did end up falling off the cliffside later on though and consequently got lost, but I'll write about that later. Told my mother I'd make it back alive and well for church today, and it's time for me to fulfill that promise 😉.
Also posted:
Quote:
nawhitakerDid you hear about or see the accident on the Chute Saturday? I climbed up to Trail Camp on Saturday morning and spoke with a guy who was coming down who said he watched a climber do bouncing cartwheels down the entire Chute for 45 seconds, and was really banged up but survived. Broken bones and large gash on leg. _mark_davis_Negative. Was there all morning in the Chute area but saw no injured hikers. @nawhitaker
Mother Nature, you win this round. Nasty early morning storm conditions made a summit attempt too dangerous. Will be back at Mount Whitney soon for another try! #mtwhitney #trailcamp #blizzard #thechute #frozencliffbars #promisedrosieIwouldntdie
I have used this board for the last couple of weeks, thanks everyone for posting.
Group of 4 started hike on 6/15 at whitney portal at 3am, hit trail camp by 7:30. Took switchbacks up. Still a lot of snow by cables but safe with care. Right after cables was the most sketchy but not bad, that should be cleared up in a couple days if weather stays same. For the most part after that clear on switchbacks up till where it crossed chute area. we didn't have any problems but there was a group there that had a guy slide out traversing and slid down 20 ft or so before stopping.....they seemed little shaken up by it and where turning around.
From trail crest it was good but still snow/ice on trail, many were using micro spikes.
summited around 1:30 and headed back at 2. very windy and cold along entire ridge made the going slow. On way back same spot at top of chute was soft but we still didn't have issue getting back across to switchbacks which we took down without issue.
I would say more are using switchbacks now that chute, but people are still coming up chute and glissading down, didn't see any problems either way other than what I mentioned above.
plenty of running water just before cables still.
We had micro spikes and ice axes but never got them out, just poles and hiking shoes. Never hurts to put on spikes if you have them though just for added safety if that makes you more comfortable.
Great update! We are a group of 4 planning to head up for a day trip starting on 3 am - June 29th. We plan to be there 25th evening to get used to the elevation change. Any tips appreciated.
Walk-in requests for permits can usually get a free permit. But due to road construction this year, people also need a parking pass to park in the lots at Whitney Portal. That is because overflow parking along the roadway is not allowed this summer.
Unfortunately, walk-in permitees will not be given a parking pass. Only those with a permit reservation will get a pass, and only one car per hiking party.
We were a team of 4 doing an overnight hike on 6/16 and 6/17. We camped at the Portal campground on 6/15. Weather was great at the Whitney Portal but the basecamp was windy and cold! We started hiking up to the basecamp around 10:30 am, had lunch at Lone Pine Lake and arrived at the basecamp around 7 pm. The trail is beautiful. No issues with snow or ice although there were a few spots on the trail that's covered. We didn't need any spikes. The hiking poles helped. A small group of 20 tents were at the base camp. No issues with finding a comfortable camp spot. Lots of marmots waiting to steal your goodies! I would suggest finding a good spot early on that's sheltered from the wind. It was super windy in the evening. On 6/17, we began our hike up the switchbacks around 7 a.m. I would say 50% of the hikers took the switchbacks and the remainder took the chute. I saw a few people gave the chute a try and changed their minds. The switchbacks are now doable and open. The lower switchbacks have spots that were iced over. Most of the trail were wet from the snow melt. The upper switchbacks after the cables were slightly snow covered. One section of the switchback right after the cables was tricky but not impossible. I would suggest poles and spikes at a minimum. No crampons required. The cables: there are 3 poles where snow completely covered the trail. So, we had to go on the outside of the cables to get around. Just be careful as it's manageable with microspikes and poles. Hang on to the cables! :P The last switchback section to the trail crest was covered with snow! We had to scramble up the rocks to get to the trail crest sign area. I suspect with the warm weather, it should be better in that section. (by the way, try to remember how you get to the trail crest - very easy to forget the way you came up to the crest over the rocks.) From trail crest to the summit, the trail was fine with some patches of snow and ice. I wore the spikes the entire time. I stopped short of the snow slope leading to the nut but one of my group made it to the hut He had to use spikes and ice axe as that section was still covered in snow. We summited around 1 p.m. On the way down, I saw quite a few people taking the chute down. They were being very careful as rocks were exposed in quite a few places. I took the switchbacks down. In the afternoon, snow was soft and the area around the cables was a little tricky to get across - again doable with spikes and poles.
There were lots of places with running water on the trail - the group got water at the basecamp and also at trailside meadow. With the snow melting fast, some of the water crossings (e.g. the first one on the trail) were tricky. Be prepared to get your boots wet! Be sure they are waterproof.
The altitude was rough.. the two of us that summited really felt it at 14K. But we did okay - just minor headache and short of breath. I saw a few people getting sick on the switchbacks and they turned back. Just take it easy and give yourself plenty of time to do the hike at an easy pace. It was a beautiful few days up on the mountain! Be safe and enjoy!
I made it to the summit yesterday, 6/19 around 12:30 PM. I took the switchbacks up and down.
From my experience and talking to a bunch of other people on the trail, I think there are two things that will affect whether you want to use microspikes or crampons: your timing with respect to the temperature and your comfort level/risk tolerance.
Timing/temperature: Since it's still freezing up there at night, but there's a lot of snowmelt and water on the switchbacks during the day, if you start up from trail camp too early, there will be sections of the switchbacks that are a bit icy. I met a few people who had headed up early from trail camp and turned around because of the ice, even with microspikes. I started up from trail camp around 8/8:30 and the ice was starting to break up at that point. Obviously, if you summit too late, you would also have to worry about refreeze at some point. All of the ice was melted and the snow was soft when I was on my way down the switchbacks around 3.
Comfort level/risk tolerance: If the snow is soft and the ice is melted, I think there are still three sections that might seem scary depending on your personal risk tolerance and comfort level. First, as mentioned above, there is a section of about 10 feet where you have to duck outside the cables because of the snow. There's still a lot of snow there. Second, the top of the switchbacks over to trail crest are still covered in snow, which means that you have to cross the chute on snow. Third, there's a stretch of three patches of snow between rocks just before the summit; these are mostly flat, but there is a little bit of elevation change in the middle one. Personally, I put on microspikes only for the stretch across the chute because I thought it would be a pretty dangerous place to fall, but I am also very comfortable on snow and rock in general. I also saw people who wore spikes or crampons the entire way from the cables to the summit (they walked in a lot of dirt with them, though).
Thanks to all for your reports leading up to yesterday; they were super helpful!
After reading these recent trip reports, our first-time group of five has decided to cancel our trip due to snow and ice still lingering on the trail. We have an overnight permit for June 28 & 29 which I will cancel today. Hopefully, someone ready to go can take advantage of the availability.
Although there seems to be lingering snow and ice currently, I feel like most of it would be melted due to the heatwave we've been having and should be somewhat doable by next week? Maybe just me though....
LoisW, throughout all the next week, weather is running a heat wave. Whitney summit LOWS are in the mid-40s, with highs in the upper 50s. There will be almost no difficulties encountered by your trip dates.
Everyone: We REALLY need new pictures of the trail conditions! If you go, and can snap off some pictures, send them my way -- email me (view my profile, or just email them to the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of every page here. Particular spots: + Above Trail Camp, first snow on the trail + At the cables, looking up, and then looking back. + At the top switchback where people have trouble crossing the snow at the top of the chute. + Any even slightly difficult spots between Trail Camp and the summit.
Thank you all for posting updates that I have been carefully reading.
Recent pictures will be a great help! A bunch of us will be camping at Trail Camp Saturday (6/25) evening and attempting summit Sunday morning.
We have a few inexperienced first timers and also a 7 year old in the group. Latest pictures will definitely help especially to decide whether 7 year old should attempt given that it is difficult to find microspikes or crampons to fit her boot size.
Because this blog helped so much for my own preparation of Whitney, which I summited this past Saturday (06/18), I wanted to share my experience.
We started the hike around 4 am from the trailhead and summited at 2 pm.
People here is the thing-- I scared myself shitless prior to beginning this hike because everybody was saying that I needed to be able to run 5 miles a day and hike up 3 peaks per week to get prepared. I hadn't done any of that. I live in Salt Lake City so I have the elevation advantage, I spent the winter snowboarding, and have done an average of 1 hike/ week the couple of months leading up to Whitney. I also did the Whole30 prior to it which I think really helped with the energy levels throughout the hike. BUT my point here is, you do NOT have to be in superman shape to get up this mountain, you just have to be in good shape both physically and mentally. Superman shape will definitely help you get up faster, but I made it in 10 hours which isn't too shabby.
Moving onto the conditions which have also seemed to be scaring people from doing this hike.. There were only TWO spots where things were a bit intense. I say a bit because we had the proper equipment (crampons/microspikes and ice axes) and because there were people around willing to help and be supportive. The first spot was the cables where you had to hold onto the cable and walk like 20 feet to the other side of a frozen waterfall. My boyfriend and I made friends with a married couple who had microspikes but not ice-picks, and well, they summited with us so I think most of it really comes down to fear and not having crampons or microspikes. The second spot was at the end of the switchbacks where the trail was completely covered in snow and had a straight up vertical drop off to the side. I don't have a fear of heights, so this didn't bother me too much, my boyfriend was a bit shakey because he does fear heights, but our entire group of 4 made it across. We are all still alive and well. I think the most important thing to have had were the crampons/microspikes which you can rent from REI if you do not have any. The married couple who hiked with us just used a trekking pole in cases where we were using the ice axe.
On the way up we asked several people what challenges were coming and everybody had mixed reviews. There were people with crampons who said the ice waterfall at the cables was too intense for them, there were people who said there was nothing bad, there were people who said you needed super hardcore equipment to get past it... It really comes down to a matter of judgement and what you think you can do. That is why I suggest just getting to that point and deciding or yourself, don't let the words of others decide for you because you could be missing out on one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
There were also some patches of ice here and there on the early switchbacks, but they could easily be avoided , and by the time we had started our descent, all of that ice had melted.
The weather itself wasn't too bad... except for the random gusts of 30 mph wind 12k and above; my face is still recovering from wind burn...but that really just depends on the day that you do it and how lucky you get with the forecast. At trail camp I stopped to put on extra layers since I began seeing more snow, but had to stop to remove shortly afterwards because, well, you're working your butt off getting up that dang mountain!
The worst part, which was more awful than those two 'challenging' spots would have to be the last 2 miles. Boy did we get excited when we saw the 1.9 miles left to summit sign, we even have a video of all of us dancing in front of it.. boy were we idiots to celebrate that early. By the last mile it was a game of.. "Okay let's make it to that pointy rock up there" then we would make it and stop to breath for 30 seconds, then start again to the next goal. Take your time, everybody feels the altitude and everybody needs to take care of their body during those last 2 miles.
If you are prepping to do this trek.. Know that there are not just 99 switchbacks, the whole entire fricken hike is switchbacks, and it is on the way back down that you really start to notice them all and curse them while you make your way back to the car.
Yes, this hike was brutal- it was one of the most challenging things I have ever done but I attest that mostly to the last 2 miles and if you can get to that point, you can do it. Obviously don't push yourself to do anything you aren't comfortable with but don't psych yourself out before even trying, there is no shame in turning back if the going gets rough.
Of the 100 permits issued the day I went, 20 summited. Most people we saw coming back down didn't have crampons though we did see people make it up who didn't even have those, though I would not have been comfortable doing the hike without them. Again, all up to your own judgement.
I also want to add- we made sure to take altitude pills and started taking them a few days prior to the hike so our bodies would get accustomed which I think helped a lot with the altitude. Aside from deep breaths and needing to stop multiple times at the higher elevation, we didn't feel any other altitude effects such as headaches or nausea so I definitely recommend doing that.
And we also didn't see a single person using the chute up or down. Though we heard just about everybody took it down the day before we summited but the windy conditions the day we hiked made the chute pretty icy.
I hiked with a group of 10 back on Friday 6/17. As of that time things were melting very fast. If you are planning to hike going forward I doubt you will run into tough spots to the degree that we did late last week. As others have mentioned there were only two spots on the switchbacks that were of any concern. One was around the top of the cables where we had to cross to the outside while hanging onto the cables them jump across and onto a very ice covered spot. We actually chopped up most of the ice there for later hikers that morning to make it a bit easier/safer. At the top of the switchbacks there was that remaining snow covered area that some kind of foot traction would have made easier. The chute has melted to the degree that it has become less viable as a way up/down. I saw people hiking without any extra traction even at that time although I would certainly not have recommended it at the time. By now however, you should be fine.
I think by 6/25, a lot of snow would have melted away. There are two sketchy spots on the switchbacks when we hiked on 6/17 - the cables section and right below the trail crest. We only used microspikes and there were people without them then. Both should be manageable by next weekend. Hope the link works for some of my photos on FB from the hike on 6/17: https://www.facebook.com/luis.tam.14/med...amp;pnref=story
If not, let me know and I will see if I can load them on flickr.
Good pictures, Luisito. Posting several here for people to see:
The trail above Trail Camp
At the cables
Nicole, thanks for the full report. Appreciate your comments regarding conditioning and people's fear/comfort levels. Here's your picture from the top of the chute area, just before Trail Crest. It looks pretty "hairy"!! ...Now I see from other pictures that your camera has a wide-angle lens, which makes steep slopes look much worse. People should understand... it really isn't quite that steep there.
Thanks for the photos (especially the cables) and the trip report. What were conditions like on the back side? I didn't see summit photos in your photo gallery.
There are going to be three of us with the same itinerary as you. Two of us attempted it last year in a day and had to turn back. The third will be a first timer. We are going to be hanging out at the portal all day Friday! Hope to see you there!
How far up the switchbacks or beyond is there running water near the trail during the day that can be treated? In years' past someone will post where on the way up they encounter a water-source in the switchbacks or above as the snow melts until the streams from snowmelt run dry in late July or August.
The 7-day weather forecast for the summit shows highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s so there should be lots of melting this week. :-)
Glad you enjoyed the photos. The back side (last 1.9 mi) wasn't bad. On 6/16, there were patches of snow on a few areas but it's very manageable. The last switchback to the hut / summit was covered in snow. Most people were able to go up with poles and microspikes. I believe the heatwave this week will clear the area very quickly.
Hi mkmwhitney, The trail (last 1.9 miles) between the crest and summit wasn't bad at all. No tough spots compared to the one at the cables! I wore my microspikes but saw others trekking up with just their hiking boots. The last switchback and slope to the summit / peak was covered with snow but I think it should melt away with the heat this week.
Thank you all for the great reports. Our group will be starting our overnight trip tomorrow. It's great to have such detailed and current information. Thanks all.
There is usually one snow patch on the trail just left of the picture above where snow remains for some weeks. A groove often wears into it from so many hikers, that can be several feet deep.
Originally Posted By: Sara Keenan
How far up the switchbacks or beyond is there running water near the trail during the day that can be treated? In years' past someone will post where on the way up they encounter a water-source in the switchbacks or above as the snow melts until the streams from snowmelt run dry in late July or August.
The last water on the trail is always at switchback #22 above Trail Camp. It runs across several switchbacks. The source is a snow field high above and off-trail, and it dries up late in summer. This time of year, it might be frozen early mornings.
And many people will just dip and drink that water. It's about as pure as you can get. Luisito's picture 47:
thank you... I hope by July 4th, all the snow will melt away on the switchbacks with the recent heatwave! I carry a Canon Mirrorless camera on all my hikes. It's an EOS M. Very lightweight and compact.
Just want to report that we were able to Summit on June 20 with just hiking shoes and hiking sticks. You really don't need microspikes or crampons. The last switchbacks to trail crest is the only spot that you need to pay attention but I'm sure the snow will be gone in a week. Overall, I think it's very doable to do a one day hike without any winter gears. There were plenty parking at the portal so that's also a good news. Good luck everyone.
a quick and simple (but informative) update. Thanks!
Also want to add that there will almost never be an ideal setting for this hike (well for me at least on my last 4 trips). There will always be some issue getting to the top but it's all about determination and willingness to get to the summit despite the circumstance. Good luck to everyone!
Hi everyone, I am new to this board and want to say many thanks for the trip reports! My friend and I are planning to summit next week, leaving the afternoon of the 28th on a multi night trip, coming back the 1st. I will post when I get back about conditions, pictures, etc. First time, super excited! Wish us luck
Just a quick note. Our group of 6 made it to the summit on 6/22 after camping on 6/21 at trail camp. We only needed our hiking shoes and trecking poles. We did have to step outside of the cables for two steps on the way up but it had melted even more on the way down and we were able to stay inside. The last switchback had some snow but there was an easy trail to follow. We went on top of the rocks at the trail crest rather than try to cross on the snow above the chute, which was easy and I would recommend. There are then about 3 sections of snow right before the summit that has a well made trail making for easy travel. Going down on this section would be the only place I could see micro spikes being a convenience but none of our group needed or chose to put them on. Definitely not a need. We did see a few people trying to go up the chute, and it looked miserable and slow!
Our group of 6 ranged in ages from 29-40, 2 experienced and 4 who had never done anything like this. Keep up on water intake, sunglasses and sunscreen! We were in t shirts the entire trip except at night/camping. Have fun and thanks for all of the help from previous posts!
First time ice axe, crampon use, glissading. Started chute at 5:30am. Reached Trailcrest at 10am (could have been faster if were in better shape).
Slush encountered at rocks toward the top. Take off crampons and hike middle rock field towards the top to pass slush. Then put them back on to summit trail crest.
Yes, switchbacks will be faster this time of year. Someone else reported at 3am snow chute was very good/hard. We encountered some slush, but it was not not doable.
Glissading was extremely fun. Slush snow will slow you down but you still need to self-arrest. At the top I was self-arresting for about 100 yards to make sure I had control. Also use your feet (without crampons) to dig into the snow).
DO NOT proceed without watching self-arrest and crampon usage videos and practicing on snow at the bottom of the chute.
Chute probably good for the next week as long as you have an early start, but it will be slower and tougher than switchback (everyone else is taking switchbacks).
I also, have really appreciated this forum and this discussion in particular, and wanted to give a trip report from yesterday 6/23
We left at 3:00 a.m., and were glad we did. We had a variety of abilities in our group and one group member got sick, and he and his father ended up turning back. A third group member got to trail crest and did not feel up to dealing with the issues there (more on that). And I was unable to summit, as I did some shuttling between our more advanced and less advanced groups as they got separated on the trail, and that extra effort overtaxed me a bit, causing me to have to take a bit of a recovery break on the upper portion of the 99 switchbacks, and by the time I was recovered I felt that I was too far behind to not cause major delays with our decent. But 5 of our 9 summited, including an 11 year old boy and a 12 year old girl.
As to the dicey areas. The cables now have a path on the correct side of the cables, though it is VERY narrow in some areas (one foot in front of the other, right next to the cables). It was doable but a little hairy, as the cables are there because that is a very steep drop off, so walking close to the edge and having to rely on the cables quite a bit is a step more intensity for someone who is more of a hiker than a mountaineer.
The other dicey area is at trail crest, at the top of the chute, where you are making the transition to the west side. The trail has a moderate amount of snow on it in 3 areas. Two areas are fairly walk-able with a moderate degree of care. But the 3rd area has no path right at the level of the trail, and people have established a route through the snow above, and a route that is partially through the snow and a bit through the rocks below the trail. These routes make many nervous as a mistake could cause one to slide down the chute. So many bypassed this entire area by scrambling over the rock outcropping and then coming down on the trail after it has passed through the "window". Even though I did not summit I went through this to at least get to see the west side (and I was still assessing if I would try to summit). I scrambled over the top. This took a level of agility beyond what I felt I had after hiking 9 miles uphill. Wasn't too technical, but was definitely a moderate degree of scrambling. I came back on the upper snowy path. I used my walking stick and drove it into the snow above to help with maintaining balance. I found that the path was well compressed and did not sink into the snow, and just took my time and was careful.
While waiting for the portion of my party that summited I was able to see many parties navigate this obstacle. About half or slightly less went up and over the rocks. Half or slightly more went on the snowy trail. On the snowy trail some experienced hikers walked it like any other trail. But most took a fairly high degree of care, with some obviously struggling with the perceived danger. No one, on any route, had any real trouble or appeared to be in real peril. Only one person went through the snowy area, below the main trail.
Last thing. The entire trail is very wet in spots. If you do not have waterproof footwear, your feet will get wet. There are two early stream crossings. One is just water flowing over a slab of granite, and you will have to step in to 1/2" to 1" of water. The next is a normal rock hopping creek crossing, but about 20% of the rocks you will have to use are just below the surface of the water, and again non-waterproof footwear will get wet. But aside from that, there is water on the trail in all sorts of places, including the 99 switchbacks. Some can easily be negotiated around, while others the easiest path is just to tromp on through. So think abut making sure your boots are well sealed, or be prepared with sock changes. Having water shoes is not very viable (would work for creek crossing), as there would just be too much putting them on and taking them off.
All and all it was a good trip. Exhausting but rewarding. The perils of the trail are rapidly melting. Saw no one all day going up or down the chute, though someone mentioned that several people did the day before. Thunder storms were potentially in the forecast, but none materialized.
As everyone was saying up there, have fun and be safe!
p.s. I have some pictures but don't have access to them right now. Hope to post over the weekend
I went up 6/20-6/21. I have to agree with Tom S's report.
On the cables, I was able to squeak by all but one on the inside, and had to swing out for one pole. I should have put my trekking pole in my pack, so I could use both hands.
At the top of the switchbacks, the only way up I saw was the path Tom mentioned. And, I'll say that with microspikes and a trekking pole, it was scary. I hung onto the rocks as much as I could, but there was one rock with nothing to grab. One slip, and it would have been a fast ride down. Once past that point, I found myself pretty high up on the knob of rocks to the left of Trail Crest - also not a fun prospect.
The rest was pretty safe - one icy spot between Trail Crest and the JMT junction. Not very visible - be real careful walking along.
As I was leaving, five miles from the trail head, the sole of one of my hiking boots detached. Fortunately, there was an inner sole, so it was still waterproof (as I found when stepping into a river). Not sure how I was going to make the rest of the hike, I tried using my microspikes as a glove to hold the sole on - it worked great. I made it out and back home.
I'll say that it was pretty disgusting seeing how many wag bags people left on the trail. I wish the park service would put serial numbers on them and fine anyone who abandons them.
I did go as far (actually just a little farther) than the JMT/Summit split and did not see any ice on that trail, so I think that may have melted for the season.
Also, I think further melting may have made the snow trail at trail crest better than when Tomget passed through. I was able to use 2 rocks on the way up, and then my pole from there. There was a bit of a lip of the trail starting to form (not enough to even thing about walking on, but made it seem possible to possibly catch if slipping) It's still scary, but a more do-able scary perhaps. Probably better going from summit side towards the switchbacks then from the switchbacks towards the summit.
I just summited yesterday (6/26) with a group of three. There is a lot of water on the trail and some of the stream crossings are pretty deep, especially the first one. On the way up it was easier and dryer to take our boots off than to try to jump from rock to rock, but on the way down jumping on the rocks was fine.
We took our time heading up on Saturday (6/25) because we were staying at trail camp. After staying the night at trail camp we got an earlier start up the switch backs, there were a few places with thin layers of ice over the rocks. This wasn’t anything to be too worried about, just have to watch your step. Coming back down, after the sun hit the trail, this all melted.
The cable area was all clear, I was able to hike right through it pretty quick, but I could see how this could be very nerve-wracking. At no point do you need to go to the outside of the cables.
Right before trail crest there is a little sketchy area. (Sorry for the bad picture, it’s all I’ve got) As someone else mentioned, there is quite a bit of snow you have to cross over on a narrow path. This is one of the spots where having trekking poles definitely helped. We all had microspikes, but did not use them. I could easily see how someone would want to use them here. I think the earlier you get there, the easier it will be to cross; the snow starts to get super slushy as the day goes on.
From Trail Crest on, there was one larger patch of snow, but much more manageable. This one had a clear path beaten into so there weren’t any issues. Again, trekking poles help a lot, take your time and make sure your feet are set before moving on.
Feel free to ask any questions! I have attached some photos from my first go through. I will be posting more on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/btfleming4/
Consultation Lake Still had some ice on it at the east end
Going up at the cables
Looking back at the cables. This was probably between 12:30 and 1:00, and no ice, just a shower of drips.
Looking at Trail Crest from the east side. The snow that is on the top left of the picture is the snow that had to be gone over to get through Trail Crest area and through to the west side.
On the way down, at Lone Pine Creek, below Lake Consultation
You can stay as many extra nights as you need (there is only a two-week limit on staying in one place). The permit you get only requires (and restricts) you to enter on the entry date shown on the permit.
If you are trying to change a DAY hike permit into an overnight, that is a different problem. There will likely be no-show permits available when you show up to pick up your permit, but the parking permits are necessary after July 10, and switching day permit to overnight may be tough.
You can stay as many extra nights as you need (there is only a two-week limit on staying in one place). The permit you get only requires (and restricts) you to enter on the entry date shown on the permit.
If you are trying to change a DAY hike permit into an overnight, that is a different problem. There will likely be no-show permits available when you show up to pick up your permit, but the parking permits are necessary after July 10, and switching day permit to overnight may be tough.
So, we have an entry date of July 6th and it's an overnight permit. We don't think we have enough time to summit, hike down, and drive back on the 7th to be back to work on the 8th. We can't, unfortunately, take the day off work on the 8th.
I've done Mt. Shasta, but not Whitney and Whitney seems like an easier trek, but my wife hasn't gone above 8k feet. So, we will need to take it slow.
I'm wondering if there's a possibility to hike in on the 5th (When we pick up our permit) instead of the 6th. Is that most likely a possibility?
The Whitney Main Trail is a lot longer than the Shasta approach, so it is not really easier. If you carry overnight gear up to Trail Camp, that is lots higher than the overnight spot on Shasta, so that part is tougher, too. AMS is a bigger threat there, too. If you camp at Outpost Camp, then that compares more to the Shasta overnight at Helen Lake, but quite a few miles more to the Whitney summit than Shasta. If I were you, I'd stop at Outpost for the overnight. You could even spend two nights there and hike out and drive home the 7th.
Permits: When you go to the Visitor Center in Lone Pine to pick up your overnight July 6 permit, there will very likely be some no-show or cancellations for July 5 available. If there aren't any available, come back 30 minutes later and try again, as they show up as others picking up permits drop off slots. At 11 AM on July 5, all the no-shows for entering that day become available, but since you have a July 6 reservation, the person giving you a permit might be able to assign one to you before 11. If you are there AFTER 11, then all the no-shows will be in their system available to anyone to pick up.
Not sure of your work time-off situation, but if you have July 4 off, too, you MIGHT even walk in and get an overnight permit starting that day. There have been unused ones available on July 4 on previous years.
If switching permit dates makes it so you don't get a parking pass, you can park along the road just down from the hiker parking lot. Roadside parking is available through July 10.
Good luck!
...and please report back how things work out with the permits! (But report in the REAL current conditions thread, or in the Trip Reports forum.) This is the "out-of-date" thread.
The Whitney Main Trail is a lot longer than the Shasta approach, so it is not really easier. If you carry overnight gear up to Trail Camp, that is lots higher than the overnight spot on Shasta, so that part is tougher, too. AMS is a bigger threat there, too. If you camp at Outpost Camp, then that compares more to the Shasta overnight at Helen Lake, but quite a few miles more to the Whitney summit than Shasta. If I were you, I'd stop at Outpost for the overnight. You could even spend two nights there and hike out and drive home the 7th.
Permits: When you go to the Visitor Center in Lone Pine to pick up your overnight July 6 permit, there will very likely be some no-show or cancellations for July 5 available. If there aren't any available, come back 30 minutes later and try again, as they show up as others picking up permits drop off slots. At 11 AM on July 5, all the no-shows for entering that day become available, but since you have a July 6 reservation, the person giving you a permit might be able to assign one to you before 11. If you are there AFTER 11, then all the no-shows will be in their system available to anyone to pick up.
Not sure of your work time-off situation, but if you have July 4 off, too, you MIGHT even walk in and get an overnight permit starting that day. There have been unused ones available on July 4 on previous years.
If switching permit dates makes it so you don't get a parking pass, you can park along the road just down from the hiker parking lot. Roadside parking is available through July 10.
Good luck!
...and please report back how things work out with the permits! (But report in the REAL current conditions thread, or in the Trip Reports forum.) This is the "out-of-date" thread.
We are also doing an overnight trip this weekend. What are the sunset timings at trail camp. That will help us to decide what time to start on saturday from whitney portal.
Has anyone been up the MR recently? I've been watching the webcam like a hawk and it seems that there is still a bit of snow. I'm heading up in a week or so and am wondering if anyone has a firsthand trail report.
What are the sunset timings at trail camp. That will help us to decide what time to start on saturday from whitney portal.
From the US Navy: Complete Sun and Moon Data for One Day You can use Lone Pine, or for exact Trail Camp coordinates, use: Longitude west 118°17', Latitude north 36°34'
Interestingly, checking webcam pictures from this morning, the first illumination of the Whitney summit appeared at 5:57, but the website shows sunrise at 5:38. Go figure!?!? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Originally Posted By: JArmstrong
Has anyone been up the MR recently? I've been watching the webcam like a hawk and it seems that there is still a bit of snow. I'm heading up in a week or so and am wondering if anyone has a firsthand trail report.
I've not seen any reports at all lately. Looking at the webcam, the only snow is in the main chute, and most people climb west of that chute. I'm betting you could make it all the way on dry rock.
It was hard to tell from the pictures just posted, but how much of the trail is still covered in snow? Is it possible to summit without microspikes? I am hiking on July 4th and trying to figure out if I need to bring additional gear than basic day hike stuff.
I did it last weekend, Somewhere around 8:30 or 9 I think you would want to put a headlamp on. My recommendation would be to leave around 6 or 7 in the morning and take your time going up. There are plenty of great spots to take a break, even some waterfalls. The atmosphere at Trail Camp is pretty cool to hang out in too. And you'll catch all the day hikers coming down so you can chat with them and get a report.
BFR, people are going now without any special traction gear. But some people have a lower risk threshold, and for them, crossing the few snow sections is an issue.
BFR, people are going now without any special traction gear. But some people have a lower risk threshold, and for them, crossing the few snow sections is an issue.
Like so many others this forum was extremely helpful to me. I summited in one day on 6/26. We left at 3am summited at 12 and were back down at the portal around 7. There was no need for ice axe, crampons or micro spikes. I was pretty nervous about the hike a couple of days going into it but as long as you have the right mental attitude you'll be fine. I have two kids and trained the best I could mostly at the gym on the stair master with a couple of day hikes here and there. We spent two nights at Whitney Portal to acclimatize but the altitude still effected me quite a bit with some light headedness and nausea. It was also very warm the day I summited and didn't put on enough sunscreen, remember to reapply. I also overpacked my pack and brought more food then I needed. The hike is strenuous but I strongly believe that your attitude plays the biggest part of getting yourself to the top. Not sure what else to add except hiking poles are definitely a worthwhile investment. Also we had no issues with parking seemed to be more than enough spaces in overflow. If anyone has any other questions please feel free to ask. Thanks.
Whitney Portal Road is currently closed. There is a fire going on right now close to the road, and they're turning everyone away. I talked to a few rangers and as of this evening, they do not know when the road will re-open.
I summited 7/3. Conditions on the trail are great other than water on some of the switchbacks and at points between Whitney Portal and Trail Camp. The snow field in the above pic (right before the final turn to head up to the summit hut) is the last remaining "trouble" spot. I saw a couple people without poles struggling here a bit with traction but even that didn't look particularly dangerous. I didn't see anyone with microspikes and certainly didn't feel they were at all necessary though of course would have helped with traction.
As others have reported, cables are easily passable at this time. The snow field before trail crest had nearly completely melted as of 7/3 and I'm sure is completely gone as of today.
Weather was absolutely perfect this past weekend. Lows at night at trail camp were probably mid-40s. It must have been at least 50 and not a cloud in the sky at the summit (I summited in a tshirt, never even put on my fleece).
Enjoy the conditions everyone, doesn't get much better than this!
Just wanted to say thanks to this forum for all of the tips and information over the past year. Last year when we attempted Mt. Whitney, we were snowed out so this year we were really anxious for a good trip. We were able to summit this year and did so on 7/12.
The weather conditions were fantastic! We camped at the Portal campground the first night and then hiked up to Trail Camp and spent the night. We woke up and were on the trail by 6:30 and hit the summit at 10:30. I think that it definitely helped to acclimate at each spot. No one in our group had any signs of altitude sickness but I saw several persons on the trail and spoke to a few that did. Drank tons of fluids and ate well. The only problem was having to get out of the warm sleeping bag 3 times during the night.
Very little snow left with the exception on the back side after Trail Crest that you'll pass through. It's a little slippery but o.k. with poles. There's still some water still coming down some of the switchbacks.
That's about it. Had a great time and can't wait for next year! We met a lot of nice folks up there.
I did the summit yesterday Thursday 7/14/16 and the conditions were Perfect. It was sunny and cool all day long. I started at 3:30am and reach the summit at 2:30pm, a long grueling 11 hours. It was my first time at that elevation and luckily I did not have any AMS symptoms.
I'm going up 3 days from now on Monday the 18th. Is there still treatable water at Switchback 22 or should I load up at Trail Camp? Thanks for any news.
Is anyone else starting up for a dayhike summit at Midnight Monday night into Tuesday morning? I'd like to know if there will be some company in the area since I'll be alone. Thanks!
Hey guys I went up on Tuesday 7/12 on a day permit and I found this helpful. I just want to say it was perfect weather when I was there. There are just 2 snow patches near the summit. One patch of melting dirty snow is sketchy, but the other patch of clean snow is fine. Just stick your climbing pole in the snow on your right to anchor yourself somewhat.
You must fill up at trail camp lake as there's no other source of water except snow near the top and some dinky little trickles of water here and there. But there's always a chance of bacteria in the snow so I wouldn't go for it unless you're desperate, especially if the snow is reddish. I had water issues myself (among many other issues that day). We had a lagging team member we had to wait for and that made us use up too much of our supply. Just make sure you ration. I brought 5L from trail camp and it wasn't enough. I should have rationed better or maybe tried bringing 6L, but that's heavy. My body is not very efficient with water however, and some of you might actually be so it depends.
You must fill up at trail camp lake as there's no other source of water except snow near the top and some dinky little trickles of water here and there. But there's always a chance of bacteria in the snow so I wouldn't go for it unless you're desperate, especially if the snow is reddish. I had water issues myself (among many other issues that day). We had a lagging team member we had to wait for and that made us use up too much of our supply. Just make sure you ration. I brought 5L from trail camp and it wasn't enough. I should have rationed better or maybe tried bringing 6L, but that's heavy. My body is not very efficient with water however, and some of you might actually be so it depends.
Hannah, many people will try to fill up at switchback #23 above Trail Camp. I would hope that water is still running. It doesn't usually dry up until mid-August.
Most people get by taking 3 liters of water from Trail Camp (or that switchback). Drink one on the way up to Trail Crest, the next on the way to the summit, and #3 on the way down. Bob R (now retired from hiking) would always supplement his water by refilling or topping up his water with snow at Trail Crest and at the clean patch near the summit.
Originally Posted By: Steve T.
Drank tons of fluids and ate well. The only problem was having to get out of the warm sleeping bag 3 times during the night.
I picked up a solution to that from an x-c skier at Pear Lk lodge in Sequoia years ago. Now I carry and use a 20 oz Gatorade bottle with an "X" on the cap. If you think you might need to use it more than once, dig a pit within arms reach of your bed.
For women, it's a little more difficult, but the "Freshette" from REI can help a lot.
Summited at sunrise Friday (7/15/16) morning with an overnight permit and it was incredible. Conditions were perfect in terms of weather, trail and our crew.
I have to say this forum helped us immensely with planning and understanding the risks and requirements for this trip (everything from trail to parking and in between!)
It is so true that your attitude plays a huge part in this hike. We all stayed positive and looked out for each other and in the end, we all summited at our own pace but we did it nonetheless. We have been hiking and backpacking for about two months to prepare for this and it definitely paid off.
There is very little snow above trail crest, just one or two spots close to the summit. The only slick spot I found during the middle of the day was near the cables.
My only suggestion is to avoid hiking during the heat of the day - you get above the treeline pretty quick and that is the only thing that slowed us down.
Congratulations on your achievement! Looks like you had an awesome trip!
I have a question and would appreciate to receive your feedback. Our group is going to hike Mt. Whitney on Friday July 22 with the overnight permit. I was wondering if trail running shoes would work for the current conditions on the trail. Would we have any issues with running water on switchbacks and crossing that remaining patch of snow? Should we carry microspikes for that snow crossing? I would prefer not to bring traction devices to reduce weight of our packs, but we can certainly take them for safety if necessary. We will have trekking poles.
We hiked it a week ago and one person with us wore running shoes because he forgot his boots by mistake. He had no problems with traction on the snow. There are only two places where you are on snow and they are small areas. As long as you have poles and go slow, you should be o.k. Having said that though, I myself need a boot as opposed to a shoe. I have had some problems with my feet and there are many places where you are walking and navigating over sharp rocks. Even with my boots my feet took a beating, especially on the way down. The other persons in our party had no problems so it's all about how sensitive your feet are.
In regards to the water on the switchbacks, it's not a problem in the morning but in the afternoon, it was flowing pretty good in a few places. However, you're still able to stay out of the water if you're careful.
Thanks, Oleg! It seems like you got a pretty good answer but I'll pipe in - I don't wear hiking boots. I was wearing Adidas Trail Runners (gsg9) and had no problems. I do have to say it gets a little rough on the ankles with a pack but I found no problems with crossings and hiking in general. Just make sure they have good traction and fit well, you know, the usual. Trekking poles - YES!
Awesome! Thanks so much Pallerie for your response! Good to know that trail runners would work and that there is no need in bringing microspikes! I plan on using my La Sportiva Bushidos to save my feet. They are not new anymore, but should work for the trip. Excited to be on that trail in two days!
Made it to the summit today. Weather was perfect. I wanted to thank everyone for providing information to make This happen. Also is there a lost and found?
Summited Saturday July 23rd, coming up from Guitar Lake and back down on the main trail. Of course, no snow left on the West side but a significant amount of water on the lower portion of the Western switchbacks. The only patch on snow on the trail is near the summit, the usual. However, it is very easy to navigate. No traction necessary. I saw plenty of tennis shoes and even sandals make it to the summit... Coming down on the Eastern side, there is no snow left on the trail. Only a couple of patches above and below the cables but they are next to the trail, hugging the granite walls. Still plenty of water on the trail and the switchbacks. All creek crossings were a breeze.
Awesome! Thanks so much Pallerie for your response! Good to know that trail runners would work and that there is no need in bringing microspikes! I plan on using my La Sportiva Bushidos to save my feet. They are not new anymore, but should work for the trip. Excited to be on that trail in two days!
Thanks again, Oleg
How was the hike in the la sportiva Bushido? The Bushido was my original choice when planning to hike Whitney. I completed the hike in a pair of la sportiva trango trk gtx.
Thank you, Sara! Just saw your note today. Hope you had fun hiking Mt Whitney. How did it go? I tried to climb Mt Rainier after Whitney but had to turn back after a fall on the summit night while approaching Disappointment Cleaver. I am fine and will go back some other day. The mountain will always be there us. Have a great day.
Stating the obvious here, but zero issues, snow, or obstructions on the trail. Temps were very nice, 95% of the day I was in a t-shirt and gym shorts. Still enough water flowing on the way up the switchbacks to easily collect in case that is helpful, the lake right next to Trail Camp seemed a bit stagnant, I was planning on collecting water there, but opted to skip.
The Marmots are in full effect - one tried, literally, to steal a protein bar out of my wife's hand when she looked away. She screamed in my face, causing me to scream, which gave everyone in the vicinity a good laugh. We met some backpackers who came up from Guitar Lake and dropped their bags at the "corner" just past/below trail crest. When we returned, a marmot had chewed through a pocket in his bag to get at an empty wrapper. In another case, someone stashed their bag behind a rock on the back trail before the summit. A marmot absolutely destroyed/shredded the pack.
Thanks everyone who provided information on this site, I would not have successfully summited without the help.
Sorry for the late response. Bushidos worked perfectly well even with my 30lb backpack to the Trail Camp and back! My wife was wearing Her La Sportiva Raptors and she was very happy with that choice!
Our group of 4 reached the summit on Sunday before the weather rolled in. Temperatures were manageable at trail camp with highs in the mid 70s and lows in the 40s. Summit temps were mid to low 40s around 8am with a light wind. Overall the trail was in great shape with no issues or obstructions -- water was flowing, as earlier stated by another member, around the 23-25th switchback. Marmots were rarely seen on the topmost ledges of trail camp where we were setup but we hung our packs with some rope over a steep rock just to be safe.
Everything went as planned aside from our group witnessing an elderly gentleman take a fall just below trail side meadow. Fortunately he was not too badly hurt -- laceration to the lower leg and arm as well as a broken finger. We were able to clean and bandage the wounds and I fast packed out to find a ranger for additional assistance. Fortunately one was not far from Outpost however upon relaying that there was an injured elderly hiker with the aforementioned injuries an unknown disposition he seemed more interested in questioning us on our permit and wag bag usage. A bit disconcerting to say the least.
Despite that and after some additional assistance we were all able to help walk the gentleman down to the portal before the storm rolled in and get him a ride to a local hospital for further evaluation.
A unique ending but a solid reminder that anything can happen. Be safe and enjoy the journey.
Summited on the 26th with a group of 4. Trail looked great thanks to the 2 awesome rangers who constantly maintain it. We started the ascend on Thursday and there weren't that many people. Came across a family of 4 who summited with a 6 and 8 years old ! Met one guy who was finishing a 10 days hike averaging 30 miles a day and 2 groups finishing 25 days hikes on the PCT and John Muir trails.
Some observations: - At this point, the road construction is almost complete and they are building the fences and sides. Less than 30 minutes wait. - The bear canister they rent at the visitor center are heavy ! - Didn't see a single bear and no marmots at trail camp. Saw some marmots on higher ground than trail camps. Came face to face with a deer on the trail! - Visitor center ran out of extra wag bag to sell and Whitney Portal store dont sell them. - As soon as you go behind big rocks at trail camp or bushes at Outpost, highly likely you will find some stashed used wag bags. Very sad to see so much junk left on the ground by previous hikers. - Temp can fall below freezing point at Trail camp during the night. We even got some hail at one point. - It rained recently so there were plenty of places to get water. Temperature past Outpost camp were always in the 50s and 60s so we drank max 1L between water sources. No need to carry 3-6L. - The prices at the Portal store are very decent, often cheaper than REI. The food is indeed great. We tried their hamburgers, BLT, melt, all very good. - Didn't know that a 68 years old died after falling off a month ago. I would not like to do trail crest with a headlamp in pitch darkness... We did Trailcamp to Outpost with our headlights and beside missing all the scenery, it seemed like a very long journey. - Overall awesome experience and very friendly hiker community !
Small world - I think we were the family of four (on the basis I didn't see any others with kids at all, let alone as young as ours)!
Conditions were good with plenty of water flowing at the ?23rd? switchback, as well as a trickle at the cables. There were some tiny patches of snow on the summit trail that could be used for water in emergency.
On the west side, as with every previous time I've climbed, there is water 0.5-1 miles after guitar lake at some springs beside the trail maybe 0.5mile before the 10 switchbacks. There's also plenty of good camping at this point just SW of the trail.
On the west side, as with every previous time I've climbed, there is water 0.5-1 miles after guitar lake at some springs beside the trail maybe 0.5mile before the 10 switchbacks. There's also plenty of good camping at this point just SW of the trail.
Great weather today (August 30th), and trail is in excellent condition. At ~8:30 a.m. I'd estimate temps at the summit in the low 40s maybe cooler, with 5-10 knot winds. Sunny. Looks like lots of wind in the forecast so if you're hiking the next few days be ready, wind and cold were factors today especially on the back side of the mountain.
spaulk1: It is not uncommon for hikers to take 9 hours and longer to get down. When I was there 8/27 and 8/28, there was a stream of headlamps shining up on the trail well after dark.
It sounds like you were waiting for word from hiking friends. I hope they made it out ok. 99.9% of them seem to make it without any issues, often taking longer than expected.
Beautiful day on Sat Sept 10. Made it up in 9 hrs and back down in 5. Perfect weather, didn't even need a jacket on the summit. I heard it rained a little that night though.
DUG hiked the Main Trail Sept 19. His picture shows ice is forming again at the cables. This is new ice that is freezing from the water that is seeping out of the cracks in the rocks at the cables.
DUG: Is the Trail Camp pond frozen over in your picture?
Not only is it not frozen, but the water I filtered early in the morning wasn't even that cold. It was a warm day on the trail. I only used my jacket briefly.
Summited 9/23. The pond at TC was frozen before sunrise on 9/23, but thawed during the day. The night of 9/22 was truly frigid - much colder than 9/23 - so I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t freeze again for a while. Water was plentiful at all spots below Trail Camp, but no water was flowing from the springs on the switchbacks, even in mid-afternoon on our return trip from the summit on 9/23. DUG’s pictures of the cables looked just like what we saw – very solid ice through the middle 50 feet of the cables. As Steve C notes, the ice is easily passable on higher rocks - currently in any type of footwear (just pay close attention not to step off the ice-free higher rocks. Snow on the trail is very sporadic between the cables and the summit, and so thin, it probably melted today due to much warmer temperatures on the mountain than the days before.
Road construction is now almost to the Portal. Delays were only about 30 minutes or so, but covered the area from a few miles out of Lone Pine, all the way to the Portal itself. We had to wait for the pilot car simply to exit the family campground at the Portal. We got caught by the last pilot car delay coming out of Lone Pine at nearly 8pm on 9/21, so they are working late.
Perhaps this is true at any time, but late September conditions can change dramatically from day to day as this week showed. 9/21 the mountain was shrouded in clouds and looked ugly from Lone Pine. 9/22, on the other hand, was cloud-free all day. All returnees we talked to while hiking up to Trail Camp on 9/22 reported harrowing conditions the previous night at Trail Camp. Multiple parties reported destroyed(!) tents during the night due to severe winds. “Hurricane-force” was the adjective reported by several. Most reported thunderstorms and several parties independently reported a helicopter blaring a siren warning people off the summit ridge during the day of 9/21 (I’d never seen that reported on the forum before – is that unusual?). Returnees from a night at Outpost also reported high winds. Conditions were much better on 9/22 - quite cold on the way up from the Portal, but few winds, so we braved Trail Camp. The night was nearly wind-free, but extremely cold - well below freezing and rather uncomfortable. 9/23 day was still chilly but much warmer at night than 9/22 (only freezingish, not frigid). A bit windy on the summit, but clear skies all day and not uncomfortable. Today (9/24) most were in shirt sleeves below Trail Camp once the sun was fully up. At 1pm when we got back to our car, the Portal was shorts weather.
I'm thinking of going up next weekend if I can get a permit. Starting EAARLY, I may see you up there.
Usually chances for weather and snow flurries. Dress warm, you won't find running water above Trailside Meadow (and not much longer). Prepare for small bits of snow and ice to bypass.
I don't believe there will be much ground cover now though.
Several years ago a group started up, and crossing a stream, the rocks at the surface had iced over, and headlamps did not reveal that what looked like wet rocks were actually really slick and icy rocks.
One person in the party slipped, and did a face plant. That ended their trip immediately.
Ice Ice Baby...and an inch or so of snow too above the cables on the switchbacks following some flurries on Thursday night. Microspikes may give you some peace of mind if you're heading up soon.
I summitted on Friday ...here's a pic of the cables. The spikes were sure helpful on the icy patches. Conditions were great though. It was shirtsleeve weather below the switchbacks and only a light jacket needed up top. No wind or even a cloud in the sky.
Some thick ice at the cables as seen in the picture above- it is easy to step around and lasts only for about 10m of the trail. Saw some frost in between gravel here and there. Everything on the West side, past the crest, was windy and cold. One hiker noted that his uninsulated camelbak tube had frozen. I would hazard the temperature was in the upper 20s on the summit. Weather was expected and a lite dusting of snow, but it was clear skies by and large.
Temperatures at the portal overnight were very mild and pleasant, mid to high 50s perhaps.
I still haven't figured out the permit system but it will be irrelevant come November anyways. Though 100% of the dayhike permits were supposedly reserved, the park office had 48 to give out on a holiday Monday and from what I was told had near the same number for the day before which was a Sunday. I was extremely worried about making a 4.5hr drive to possibly not end up with a permit. At 2:00pm on the dot, there were a total of 5 people waiting for permits and maybe 3 more people there shortly after.
Including all the people I encountered on the trail that day I would guess there was a total of around 50 with a majority being overnight backpackers. There were definitely people there, but I did not feel overwhelmed by the number. Numbers are expected to taper drastically from what I have been told.
Went up on Saturday to get some altitude and to see if I've retained any of my post-JMT/HST fitness threshold.
Not much.
Trail: Trail is totally snow free. There is about 30 lateral feet of ice by the cables, easily bypassed.
Weather: The weather was actually pretty warm for mid-Oct. The portal was high fifties, I didn't see any frozen streams at all. Even Trail Camp tarn wasn't frozen when I reached her at dawn.
The Sierra winds on the summit are coming from the north. Cold and dry, bring a bandanna or mask to keep your face warm and trap some moisture, I got a little dry-hack. My neoprene mask made it hard to breathe so I ditched it for the ascent.
Water: As mentioned, it was a little warm, no frozen streams. The stream flowing over the switchbacks is bone-dry. The stream that crosses the trail about 150' below TC was bone dry too. Some puddles at Trailside Meadow. Water was flowing at the Mirror Lake outlet, Outpost Camp, Lone Pine Creek, N. Fork, and Carillon Creek. Trail Camp tarn* (*=read "cesspool") is the last chance for water (or Lake Consultation if you are camping).
Trip: I'm not a fast hiker. I've set a goal: I won't stop dayhiking Whitney until I can do it 10h car-to-car. I didn't seriously expect to make it, but I wanted to give 'er a go. I didn't bring trekking poles, and the altitude got me. I made it to TC in 3h17m (my best time by far), I usually take about 80%-100% of my Portal to Trail Camp time to get from TC to the Summit. It looked like my goal was feasible, but then the altitude murdered me. I haven't gotten high since late August, and I felt it. I made it to the summit in 7h33m, RT: 12h10m.
I'll get it someday.
In other news: The fall colors are lovely. Though I don't like the jarring, the descent from TC to Mirror Lake is BEAUTIFUL in the early afternoon: the yellows around Mirror, the green lake, the gray north face of Thor Pk. and the red Inyos to the east.
I'm not a fast hiker. I've set a goal: I won't stop dayhiking Whitney until I can do it 10h car-to-car.
That's impressive. I include you in a group I call "Super-Hikers". My last trip down the Main Trail took me 6 hours. No one passed me and I passed several hikers.
I consider you a "fast hiker". Maybe my age (65) influences my judgement.
Congrats on another summit! How many times have you been up there?
Yesterday morning I attempted my first summit of Mount Whitney. A blizzard rolled in half way through around 12,000ft bringing 50-60mph winds and temps below 20 degrees. This picture was taken at the Trail Crest (13,600 ft.) with only 2 miles left to the summit. The backside of the mountain was raining snow with 100mph winds so we turned back at the Crest. I didn't make it to the top, but had some pretty extreme Type II fun. Happy to say I survived my tallest and longest day hike to date! 12 hours, 18 miles, 13,600 ft
I can think of a few places along TC where anything north of 60mph winds (looking at you Windows) even as a gust would be far from pleasant.
That said, her pole is retracted, and i dont see cramps or micros on the feet. Re current conditions, freak blizzards aside ok to roll with just micros or are spikes necessary?
This picture shared on Instagram yesterday by "b.a.a.n."
Quote:
Fire in the Sky Hiking over 4 hours by headlamp in the pitch black didn't make sense until I turned the corner and saw this. These colors are from the real shot. Not edited. The most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen.
I have a permit to Hike Whitney this weekend and I wanted your input. Will we need crampons or will mini spikes suffice? Based on: http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Whitney/forecasts/4418 It says there will be a heavy snowfall on Thursday night / maybe friday... its changed this past week from 21" down to 16"
Would it be better if we wait to hike till the following weekend? Or will it just be worse ice at that point?
The mountain-forecast site always predicts way more than reasonable amounts of snow. You should also check the NOAA site at the top of the Whitney Weather page (link above on the left). I think they are way more accurate.
Mini spikes...hmmm...last winter 3 people died in SoCal with "mini spikes" affixed to their feet while hiking on trails, the 4th he did not think ice required anything...just saying.
Winter is winter. If you don't have a winter skill set, you are at risk. A winter skill set would tell you 16" to 21" of unconsolidated snow requires snowshoes and the best route to the summit most likely be via the Chute using that skill set with Crampons...not mini spikes and ice axe...not trekking poles.
A 5 minute youtube video on self arrest does not constitute a winter skill set.
Thanks for your helpful response Steve! No worries here - we all do have ice axes/gear, but that's more for future trips when we've had more training for mountaineering and have had classes. We were just hoping with the hot year Whitney wouldn't be bad... but weather is weather! We are definitely about safety and not doing things unless we are prepared.
If you're still able to go the following weekend as you wrote above, and only a few inches of snow falls, as the NOAA (more reliable) forecasts predict, then crampons and ice axes will be useless, but microspikes might be just the ticket.
Later in winter, and in springtime, after we really do get those 21" of snow, then using those winter technical gear is highly recommended. When there is only a minor amount of snow (as we have so far), microspikes (or just good hiking boots) will do just fine.
So far, the Mt Whitney Main Trail isn't quite as treacherous as the icy conditions in the SoCal peaks last winter.
Posted from the last several days (end of October, 2016) on Instagram by gutsovermatter
"This was our summit today. Trail Crest 13,600 ft We made the decision as a group to turn back for safety reasons. Overall it was an awesome adventure in the snow."
Also posted, video near Trail Camp: caption: Wait for it.....watch Mother Nature at her finest. Strong winds then complete silence. (click picture for video)
Went up on Saturday attempting an overnight. Abandoned just below Iceberg around 7:00pm and came back down that night. The Thursday storm had apperantly dumped alot above LBSL but rain came Friday and took a bunch of the snow out according to a group I met who had spent a few days backpacking up in the area. It was snowing alot above UBSL Saturday night but was quite warm. A large majority of the ice and snow between UBSL and LBSL had disappeared in a few hours. Winds were gusting pretty good on and off, sometimes it was dead still and others was like a hurricane. Major postholing and falling between rocks in drifty spots above UBSL was making movement difficult.
Suspect roughly the same conditions on MWT but without the postholing between rocks problem since there is more of a trail to work with. The MR didn't really have any sort of followable trail at the time. Sunday's weather has probably changed conditions a bit.
Basic snowcover directly East of Whitney windows:
It wasnt very cold, but the snow/rain was off and on. Used a weather shell top with soft shell pants and gaiters and microspikes. Weather was plenty warm.
Started Friday 10/28 the day after the initial storm. 10/29 made it to trailcamp 9am with high winds and ice beginning on trail above mirror lake. micro spikes were the order of the day. new storm was moving in 10/30 so we decided to abandon back to trailhead. without a heavy snowfall microspikes are the ticket at least until trailcrest then crampons with snowshoes potentially dangerous or at least useless. there was water available at trailside meadow just before trailcamp. tempos were unusually warm forecast for 40 but probably in mid 50s. It is said the winter weather is unpredictable and that is an understatment as the only good info is here or on the trail as you are going up.
Reported "Coldest I've ever been! Trail Camp at 12K feet on Mt. Whitney! We "slept" in the tent through the craziest wind/snow storm! It actually destroyed our mountaineering tent with three people inside."
Jon from Sierra Elevation Climbing in Lone Pine reported today, Nov 2:
"We have a great weather window now. A handful of folks up attempting today. (Hikers are) coming down w reports of knee deep drifts and other areas that were scoured of ice and snow, just bare trail.
Not much consolidation yet so idk if the ice axe would be worth he carry but trekking poles and foot traction would be expected."
Thank you. I use one normally. They are not mandatory come November, but yes, the little critters are the ones that are pesky. So even at Long Lake you recommend right now?
Successfully summited Mt Muir, which is just to the south of Whitney on Saturday Nov 5 via the Whitney Trail. Had great weather. Their was quite a bit of snow above Guitar lake. The cables had packed snow not ice. Micro spikes were very helpful, and there was a solid boot pack. Many people turned back on the switchbacks just above the cables. The angle here is steep and you would want to be comfortable in snow travel to continue confidently.
Most of the ice on the trail was below trail camp, very slippery without micro spikes.
Thanks so much for the report, Ryan G. I'm including several of your pictures here...
This is an awesome picture of the switchbacks. Was it taken from Mt Muir?
Hi Steve C, Thanks! That view was indeed from the summit Mt. Muir. It was an amazing day for views, the weather and visibility was better than many summer trips!
Hiked Mt Whitney from the main portal trail this Saturday - Sunday! It was perfect weather for the hiking part, the night at trail camp was a bit cold in the 20s with some wind... overall though all anyone needed were microspikes and trekking poles. A few people had mountaineering boots and crampons or ice axes but those weren't necessary, at least not this last weekend. (Nov5-6). There was even a few people who braved it without microspikes and were fine, I'm very grateful I had mine with me though.
I would share photos but I'm not sure how to do that on here (though the photos posted up from thuan last week look about the same for conditions)
Hi there, I am new to this forum and wanted to see if anyone went up recently and if crampons and ice axes are recommended for the hiking trail to Mt Whitney summit. I have never been and am planning to go next weekend if weather permits it. Going with two other friends who don't have crampons so want to double check with you guys to see if the conditions require the gear. Thanks, Masha
Steve C and JC hikes-please don't be telling anyone that microspikes are sufficient. This is NOT the case whatsoever. Microspikes fail on hard ice, there is no substitute for crampons. To the lady asking if you need crampons and that your friends don't have them this is telling me you do not know anything about safety. Please don't put yourself at risk and know when there is no snow or ice, and I mean next year. And if your friends were to buy or rent crampons they will not know how to use them. Don't be another Accident waiting to happen and put search and rescue crews at risk either.
Frank, amoore0308 is on Instagram, not here. Doubt she'll see it. But it is the summit, and it appears they made it in the past several days.
The weather has been clear and calm recently, so it is quite possible. I asked the question on Instagram, but people often don't see the questions and don't reply.
- my hiking partner was sick and we turned back @ Trailside Meadow. Up until this point, the snow was packed and we walked in the shoe prints of previous hikers. It snowed lightly from 7AM on last Fri.
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