I've been exploring this route for a couple of years. I was in my best shape but this pushed my limits. I figured about 7 1/2 hours to get up but it took me 10 hours, longer than my hike up the Main trail.

3:30am Depart Portal
4:30 E-Ledges
5:30 Lower Boy Scout Lake
6:30 Center of Clyde Meadows
7:00 Top of Clyde Meadows
8:50 Iceberg Lake
9:30 Depart Iceberg Lake
12:30pm Notch
1:30 Summit
1:40 Depart Summit
8:00 Portal (via Main Trail)

The Final 400 had some snow so I took the Easy Walk-Off

Mountaineers Route - Mt Whitney from Frank Bursick on Vimeo.

Congratulations Frank, (you earned it)

I Know you've been "working" on this route, so great that you completed it.

I "guess" that your time would have been shorter had you not left so early. Darkness, for me, slows me down.

Regards,

John

Thanks, John

Two years ago when I planned to summit but chose not to try because of an August snow storm you encouraged me to try again. I considered giving up but that route was always on my mind like a white whale.

I figured this would be my best chance at success coming off a five night backpacking trip to Whitney. However I again cancelled my plan to hike about a month ago because of a chance of snow. I took a week off work (starting last Tuesday) and actually secured three different day solo permits during my time off. I took the first opportunity last Wednesday.

The only person I encountered going up was another solo hiker coming down the chute. He asked "Are you planning on going up the Mountaineers Route?" I answered "I thought this IS the Mountaineers Route." He was referring to the Final 400 which he warned was "sketchy" because of the snow. So I took the Easy Walk-Off. So I missed out on the Final 400 and I can't see myself ever going up that chute again.

Oh, give yourself a few months to forget the pain. You'll be ready to go again next summer including the final 400:-)

John

I've already enticed Frank about going as far as Iceberg Lk and exploring something of a ridge route climb between upper Boy Scout and Iceberg.

We'll see how things work out next summer...

Frank will have forgotten his soreness in a week. :-)

Congrats Frank! Solid work!

Thanks. My time to Iceberg Lake was about as expected. Going up the chute took much more time than I planned. Coming down the Main Trail I was OK.

Like I said this has been on my mind and a major goal.

Liked your commentary in the video, great job and congratulations!

Was the snow on the final 400 new?

I honestly don't know if it was new or even how much was there. There was new snow the day before north of Whitney, a couple inches around Tahoe. The other hiker who had been up and down that section said it was "sketchy" with widespread snow. I was focusing on each step along the easy walk-off. I have heard of several deaths occurring along that route. There was a dusting of snow along my path.

Interesting, thanks.