Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board UPDATE ON THE TRAIL

ANOTHER FLASH FLOOD IN THE AREA. NOT AS BAD AS THE ONE SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT THE AREA ABOVE THE PORTAL TOOK THE HIT THIS TIME. STREAM CROSSINGS VERY HIGH AND THE LAST HOUR OF THE STORM WAS HAIL , VERY WET CONDITIONS ON THE TRAIL AND AS OF NOW PEOPLE ARE STRANDED BETWEEN TRAILCAMP AND THE PORTAL.

TRAIL IS A RIVER TONIGHT STAY AWAY UNTIL DAYLIGHT AND DO NOT EXPECT TO MAKE IT PAST THE FIRST STREAM CROSSING UNLESS VERY EXPERIENCED!!!!!!!!!!!

I watched the spectacular lightning show from Lone Pine yesterday afternoon and was glad I was not up there. Today's forecast doesn't look so good, either...

Very sorry to hear that Doug. I hope all is well with the store and environs, and that the hikers all got down safely. I can't imagine what it must have been like for a dayhiker to get stalled on the descent, and then have to deal with torrential rain, high winds, lightning and hail - on top of being pretty damn tired! There should be some captivating TRs that come out of this.

From dmatt's weather update from this morning, it sounds like the Portal was evacuated. Praying for your safe return.


DMatt's update below:

News Flash: So Far, here is what I know. Extreme weather has caused the evacuation of Whitney Portal and the Trail head. They remain CLOSED today. Many hikers on the Whitney Trail were stranded yesterday on the trail. Thunder, Lightening and torrential rain occurred yesterday afternoon and evening over the Crest and down some of the deep Eastern Sierra Canyons. I expect more very adverse weather conditions today. Right now my advise is to stay away from trail heads that lead up into the Sierra. If you want additional information, email me: dmatt123@gmail.com

9:01 am: Rescue helicopters flying over my home in the Alabama’s.

Hey All,

I was up on the mountain yesterday and truely thankful to be home safe in Los Angeles now. We experienced much of the extent of flash flooding, trail washouts, rock slides and more as we scrambled to get off the mountain. Finally stranded .9 miles from the portal by the Lone Pine creek crossing that had turned to a raging river, my group of 5 backpackers and up to 10+ other day hikers/backpackers were rescued by Miles from the portal store who showed us the original mt. whitney trail that led down from right where we were stuck. Many of the day hikers did not have rain gear for the torrential rain/hail that we experienced and were shivering badly at that point, we were so thankful when he showed up. After pointing out the trail and getting us on our way he continued to scrambled up the trail in search of other stranded hikers. It was an intense day, and I hope that others still stuck on the mountain later manage to get off safely, and that any rescue efforts are successful.

I'm going through my pictures and working on my trip report which I'll try and post here later. Still can't believe yesterday actually happened!

Hi Quick update sweep of the area going on now, many people walked out ths morning ,no major problems just wet and cold night. S&R walking out now . Road still closed to the Portal but people moving back into the campground shortly.


Some thoughts 27 in one group? 17 in another? groups not staying in contact with the group, and many not ready for the mild storm systems that moved through . We may have had one hour of heavy rain but the problems were compounded by not having a plan with the groups and ready for the conditions.

Cars driving by now so the road may be open , trail may be cleared soon. Thanks Doug

Good work Doug, S & R, et all. Thanks so much to Miles for helping stranded hikers. You guys care so much.....and it shows every-time I see you. Thanks again..... see ya soon.

interesting watching the time-lapse video from yesterday. Looked like the rain started around noon and kept up through most of the day. Looks like snow at the higher elevations...or perhaps enough hail to look like snow.

What a difference a day makes! The weather was perfect when I summitted on Thursday and now it's taken a 180 degree turn.

Doug: Thanks for the updates to keep us all informed!

Doug it was good to see you last week.Hope everything is up and running at the store.Prayers to all that weathered the douwnpour.Amazing what forces of nature even with an hour long rogue rain/hail thunderstorm can do.
God Bless

Hi Just got word the MAIN TRAIL WILL OPEN AT 1 PM Today 7/30/2011 . The North Fork will be closed until it can be checked.

Miles and Richard P., Richard R. went up last night and blocked the trail at the North Fork .Richard R stayed until dark and walked down several people. Amy did a great job at the store getting rides down for the stranded folks.

A hint we sold 46 throw away all weather everest tested poncho's yesterday.


Glad everyone is safe sad news, a lot of gear was left on the mountain. Doug

I can not stress enough to anyone attempting the mountain the next couple of days....PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...pay attention to warnings!

If you have not come prepared for ALL types of weather conditions, do not become a statistic or expect Search & Rescue to come get you. A "free" helicopter ride means many will be risking their lives as well. It's just not worth it.

When I have been on the mountain I have witnessed many that think it is a walk in the park only for them to find out otherwise. Now, with these conditions it is far from that.

The mountain is going to be there, it doesn't go anywhere. You can always come back to try again but only if common sense prevails.

Talk to Doug and the folks at the store. If they say you shouldn't go...DON'T!!!

Hey Doug,

Hypothetical: If you found yourself out on the main trail at Trail Camp yesterday afternoon when the storm was coming in, and you were a backpacker who was well equipped with tent, rain gear, emergency bivy sack, etc. etc., would it be better to hunker down if you have the equipment and could stay dry? Or to get out given the lightning, Volkswagen-sized rockfalls, landslides, etc.? And if you did choose to hunker down, where would be the best place to do so between the Portal and Trail Camp?

Just wondering!?!?

Thanks!

Hi First some very good questions , My answers are for me not others to think would work for them . I would never stay at trailcamp for all the reasons listed , limited shelter open to the strong winds and way too many people hanging out. Lighting strikes on Whitney happen but since 1905 we have had two fatal strikes so I would put lighting way at the bottom of the list, as for rock fall stay clear of the slopes and travel only during daylight hours . So say you find yourself at trailcamp and it looks like it may turn bad it is 3 hours down to the Portal, 1 hour down to the trees above Mirror lake and sandy protected sites abound.

If for some reason you need to stay on the mountain find high ground and look out for past water courses, never camp in the bottom of a valley, read the ground flowers, grass grows where it is wet. Stay clear of the trail as much as you can. The trail will turn into a river , slabs may have sheet flow but will be very shallow and you will stay on solid footing.

Know your gear before you go .I always wear jeans and cotton shirts. I can stand the wet and cold very well , most can't and spend many dollars on gear that in the end only works a little longer than my fine selection. I know how long I like the cold and wet so I move to where it is not cold and wet. Yesterday I was in the rain and lighting like everyone else , I just don't let it bother me, it was a warm day , water up to my knees clearing the road the streams and pond, If it had got cold I would of added a wool sweater and wind breaker , and later into the night changed into dry boots or at least dry socks but moving I can keep the body heat up and do fine.

Notice you can move faster with 5 pounds than 55 pounds so as you load the gear make sure you figure that in. Are you adding an anchor just for that margin of safety that will then slow you down that you become trapped by the gear.

Last of the dribble I am not a wait-er If it looks bad I get out of the area ,that would be down to the car/ out. Thinking it will be better the next day can be a trap. And if it is better the next day do something in the area. Thanks Doug

Is the North Fork open now?

Wow, amazing how quickly and hard the Sierra t-storms can roll in
Kudos to the Portal gang, SAR and others for helping out.
Here’s a cross-thread from SuperTopo that describes some folks took a pounding up on Keeler and Whitney….yikes!
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1568055/gnarly-whitney-t-storms-7-29

Hope everyone makes in down safety

Thanks Doug -- a lot of good food for thought!

So, it is permissible to hike up the North Fork now?

Bravo Doug Sr, and Portal Store staff for all the help to those on the mountain. Your care is so obvious! You folks truly are the best!

Amazing what a difference only 30 air miles can make! I've been in the backcountry for the last week, over on the west side doing a trail maintenance project near Moses Mountain on the Golden Trout Wilderness. Came out yesterday, and had heard that there might be weather on monday, but was impressed by the clouds I saw walking out to the northeast...over Whitney! Not a drop on us, though, the whole week.