Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Cave

Anyone know of a cave not under or above steep slopes in either the NF drainage or along the MR?

Yes. Leaving LBSL and heading to the left of the slabs toward Clyde Meadow there is a cave just to the right of what is now a popular use trail. I have seen Fred Beckey use it in the late summer/early fall. Not sure if heavy snow would preclude its safe use. Jim F

Hmmm....does this question have anything to do with a recent article in Backpacker magazine?

Hm, no. I just like to hunker down in caves when it's snowing because my tent is wimpy. Thanks for the suggestion above, though it's under some steep slopes, yeah

Article?

The last issue of Backpacker Magazine had a story/article about a "secret" hike that included a description and map. I believe the article was based on a letter received in the late 70's/early 80's that was deemed too "sketchy" to print. (I have loaned the mag to a friend, hence my lack of exact details/dates). The article was just published based upon some recent news reports of an unconfirmed discovery of a stone cabin somewhere in the Eastern Sierra that may or may not contain a John Muir manuscript/diary. Anyway...a hidden cave was mentioned in the article. It was a good article, BTW.
Susan.

The article appeared in the November issue. Called "The Last Best Place" and written by Eddie Oglander.
Susan.

Those who know the North Fork will recognize the Foxtail Pine that marks the start of the Ebersbacher Ledges towards the upper-left of the bottom photo. (The photo also serves the purpose of showing you how much snow there is on the Ledges.)

I was tempted to climb back across for a closer look, but decided I'd rather thrash my way up towards the JMT (John Muir Tree - Doug know what I'm talking about). The gully up there looked like it would be an interesting alternate for getting to LBSL, but I was already tired from hours of postholing by myself(damn you Mike).

Thanks Richard! Next time I'm in the area and it's puking snow as last time, I may just hunker down there. Last time my Firstlight managed to shed the couple feet of snow.

Couple of years ago I was wandering on the dissected plateau below (or in the front) of the Whitney’s East Face and Needles, and I came across one cave-like shelter under the big boulder in the “height” of the switchbacks going up to Iceberg Lake. It can be found or seen only if you are looking and moving towards East (down the hill, off the East Face). It looks that somebody has build stone wall to close openings to make shelter usable. It was big enough for two people to squeeze in, in the case of an emergency. I don’t have picture to show, sorry.