Hi,
We (8) have the one-day permit for Mt Whitney, but unfortunately the leader isn't confident about attempting the hike. We don't have a backup leader.
Requesting help from the community on the following questions
1) Can we take the printout of the permit and have the (non accompanying) leader sign it and carry his original Drivers License?
2) What time earliest can we start the hike (to also potentially bypass the rangers). We are planning to start at 10pm the day before the permit so that we enter the 'whitney zone' by midnight (we have one day pass).
3) Where/when are rangers generally present? Is there a chance that we can bypass them completely? Alternatively, will they allow us with the original signed printed permit + original DL but no leader with us?

Thanks.

I'm pretty sure #1 would not be allowed. But you should call the wilderness permit number and ask. I'm thinking that if the not-confident leader started the hike and turned back, all the others could continue on. You should have multiple copies of the original permit. There isn't a rule that groups must stick together, (but splitting up can lead to other (safety) issues.)

#2: that plan would be ok. But starting at 10 pm can lead to being a zombie on the way back due to lack of sleep.

#3: No idea. Many hikers never get checked, but that's random.

Any penalties being caught without permit? (besides shamefully escorted down)

We met a ranger on our way down few weeks back and he said that as long as you have a copy of the permit, it should be fine. They understand that big groups get broken into smaller groups.

Btw, when do you have the permit for?

On 2): you'll be fine leaving 10pm the night before
On 3): I have been checked at Outpost Camp. The ranger was waiting around a curve and it was in an area where you couldn't easily circumvent. The easiest way to avoid getting checked would be doing the MR. I've been up the MR four times and never been checked.

I've been checked on MR.

Me too. Twice.

The rangers said they don't usually visit that area.

MR = Mount Russel?

Mountaineers' Route. It leads off of the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek.

From the North Fork you can get to Mount Russell or the Mountaineers' Route up Mount Whitney.

It's a way more technical route. Best to go with someone who has been that way before.

By the way, Stan's reply, "We met a ranger on our way down few weeks back and he said that as long as you have a copy of the permit, it should be fine"
that might work for your group.

Yeah, there can be a fine included. Never heard from anyone being fined, but people like that never write to tell about it.

Is it possible to have half of a group day permits and the rest overnight (say days overlap)? Or group should be split in half with new leader? Thanks

You're not supposed to be day hiking with an overnight permit. The rangers would call that a violation of the permit.

And of course, carrying overnight gear on a day hike permit would be a violation.

If you have two permits, split the group and do it legally.