Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board 2014 MT Whitney Lottery

"We are sorry to inform you that you were not successful securing a reservation in the Mt Whitney Lottery 2014. Reservations are available now for you to make a reservation online in utilizing any remaining dates!"


Darn it. I didn't get drawn.


Again.


Good luck to the rest of you !!!

We didn't get the draw either, what a bummer

Hi Seeing where others that did get permits can not confirm/pay due to problems with the Rec.Gov site.

Was able to confirm yesterday after 1 1/2hrs on the web site.
Too many folks on the site and the same time. Remember you have until the end of April to confirm.

I didn't get one in the lottery either. How many people applied this year???

Don't despair. For five straight years (09 - 13) I was able to walk into the visitor center and get a permit for the next day. It helped that I was there by 11 AM, and that I was only looking for a permit for 1 person. In 2012, I got the last available permit so if I was with someone else either we wouldn't have been able to go or I would have had to shoot him. I understand there is a second round of walk-in permits issued around 2 PM if people with reservations fail to show up and claim them but I've never had to try to use it.

Note that the system used to be that you came in before 11, signed a book, and people were called in the order they signed in. Last year they stopped using the book so you need to hang at the permit desk and find the balance between persistence and being a pest. In 2012, one person (a civilian volunteer, I think - no uniform) told me there were no permits and a few minutes later I asked a person in uniform who found that last permit for me.

Wouldn't you know....the one time getting a permit would really be significant, is the time we don't get a permit! This was to be my 20th climb for my 70th birthday! Guess I'll spend my birthday standing in line @ the Visitor Center.

I was concerned when I saw your post since I hadn't heard anything yet. But I got a confirmation today for myself to visit on July 19. As a just-in-case measure last month I also booked an exit permit from Kearsarge Pass for late August so this year I'll get up there twice.
I noticed that exit permits are mostly unavailable now too...

Go, Randuf! Summitting on your 70th would be awesome!

The last "significant" birthday (65th) was the other time we didn't get a permit! So, my kids threw a party, and had a 25' climbing wall delivered to our house! Who, in their right mind, brings a climbing wall to a 65 year old Grandma's party??! And, yes, I managed to ring the bell on the top, even tho I'm strictly a hiker, not a climber.

This is the first time ever I did not get a permit via the lottery. I must have been lucky these past 14 years(day hike every year). Summit #19 will have to start in line for a walk in permit. Happy Hiking.

In the past with day hiking, I have always been lucky on the lottery. This year I am planning to hike the JMT from the South, and thus needed Overnight Whitney Lottery Permit. Like most of you, I did not get it. I will be checking on 5/01 when "recreation.gov" will release all the unclaimed overnight lottery permits.

Just in case for a backup plan, I have an entry wilderness permit from the Cottonwood trailhead. It would add an extra 1 or 2 days.

I have been looking at the public transportation from Bay Area to Lone Pine, and that's adding another 2 days. Darn it, I may have to jog the last 60 miles to make up the time in order not be late back to work.