Here is a set of videos on YouTube that I recorded hiking up the Mountaineers Route on Sept 29, 2010.

Edit: Also find more MR information here: Mountaineers Route info links within...

These videos aren't the best quality, and I was just holding my pocket camera and walking. But it should give people a good sampling of the hike. Maybe I can get HikealongPete to do a better job sometime.

Each video gives the time recorded, to give you an idea of the length of time in each section. We were carrying 15 to 20 lb packs, since we were camping on the summit that night.

There are two threads following this on the hike:  Upper Boy Scout to the Notch, and  Mountaineers Route, Final 400 chute.



Part 1  From the Main Mt Whitney trail and the North Fork Lone Pine Creek, climbing to the point where people cross the creek to the south. Hiking with Tom W, hightinerary, from Maryland.

This video starts where the MR leaves the Main Mt Whitney Trail, at the North Fork creek crossing.
8:15 AM


8:16 AM


8:18 AM


8:22 AM Shows the split: Either cross NFLP Creek to the south side, or take the North Side route.

Part 2            

Taking the north side of the North Fork Lone Pine Creek, .  This starts at the point where some cross the creek to the south, and continues to the point where the south-side route crosses back to the north, just before climbing to the start of the Ebersbacher Ledges.

Note that in early summer, the south-to-north crossing can be difficult due to lack of dry spots to walk -- you're practically walking in water for 20 feet.  It is not dangerous or tricky, it is just that the water is ON the path, and it is 6 inches deep.

NS1, 1:04, 8:27 AM -- Up along the wall



NS2, 0:11, 8:30 AM -- Stepping up



NS3, 0:18, 8:31 AM -- Descend into the scrub


Unfortunately, I did not record any sections in the underbrush. It is not bad, but requires some ducking and dodging. I had to be especially careful since my backpack is not the most durable.


NS4, 0:12, 8:35 AM -- back up on the wall




NS5, 0:12, 8:37 AM -- along the base



NS6, 1:38, 8:40 AM -- climb about 20 feet, walk the narrow section to the elephant's ear, a granite "flake".



NS7, 0:52, 8:42 AM -- beyond the elephant's ear, the ledge gets wider.



NS8, 1:52, 8:53 AM
After ten minutes working through a brushy section, arrive at a waterfall coming over a boulder. This is the point where the south side route comes back to join the north side. Climb out and up along the wall. Nearing the Foxtail Pine where the Ebersbacher Ledges begin.

Part 3                  

The Ebersbacher Ledges, up to Lower Boy Scout Lake

Note: MTN posted a video here showing his trip with two boys carrying backpacks up the MR. The Ebersbacher Ledges and the approach can be seen in the video between 2:58 and 3:45 minutes.

EL1, 1:32, 8:56 AM
This shows the last section hugging the base of the wall, and then climbing up to the Foxtail Pine, where the Ebersbacher Ledges start.



EL2, 0:46, 8:57 AM
Ebersbacher Ledges: lowest level, hiking eastward



EL3, 1:58, 8:58 AM
Ebersbacher Ledges, climbing up, turning westward toward the trees.
DON'T MISS the left ramp at 0:45!



EL4, 0:48, 9:02 AM
Complete the lower level, climb up, turn westward, climb toward the trees, near the wall.



EL5 0:11, 9:11 AM
Leaving the trees, heading west. Descending a little, then upward toward Lower Boy Scout Lake.

                  Part 4

The Lower Boy Scout Lake (LBSL) section


LBSL1, 0:41, 9:29 AM
Completing the climb to LBSL.




LBSL2, 0:27, 9:33 AM
I missed recording the stream crossing. This video is taken after crossing the stream that leaves LBSL. There are two places to cross. In high water, the one downstream is best.



LBSL3, 0:25, 9:52 AM
Looking back toward LBSL, then forward almost to the point where you cross through the bushes, onto the slabs.

                            Part 5

The Granite Slabs between Lower Boy Scout Lake and Upper Boy Scout Lake.

Slabs 1, 1:26, 10:04 AM
Moving from the boulder area onto the slabs. This shows the critical point where you cross to the slabs through the first section of bushes. Missing this point puts you into bushwhacking trouble.



Slabs 2, 1:06, 10:06 AM
Taking a drink from the stream, hiking up and across more slabs.



Slabs 3, 0:36, 10:08
More slabs. Notice the cairn at the end.



Slabs 4, 0:20, 10:20 AM
Trees below UBSL are coming into view.



Slabs 5, 1:07, 10:34 AM
Starts at the top of the slabs, north of the trees near Upper Boy Scout Lake. Here the trail turns south, through the bushes and to the trees. The stream crossed comes from UBSL, and is the last water until Iceberg Lake. The slabs take about 30 minutes to complete.


The next part is here:   Upper Boy Scout to the Notch

Steve! Dude! These are excellent videos! I can't believe you took the time to record this much of the MR - especially with one hand occupied while doing some of the trickier ledges. Watching this series really gives the best overall impression I've seen of the route to UBSL. You read things like, "turn left at the big pine", which sounds pretty ambiguous, but watching your videos really clarifies the route and what some of these directions I've read actually mean.

Thanks for doing this. You should pin it permanently somewhere for easy access in the future. It'll get a lot of views.

Check out the TrailVista ViaALP pages that Hikealong Pete has created from the Mountaineers Route videos.

  TrailVista ViaALP

It is the third picture on the lower-right. Below it lists the three parts:

    Mountaineers Route 1
    Mountaineers Route 2
    Mountaineers Route 3

Pete is hoping to do a full video of this route sometime!