Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt. Whitney Trip Report and Photos: May 3, 2014

Decided to give Whitney a go this past weekend. I started up the main trail at 0345 and was back to my truck at 1630. Patchy snow from 9600' to 11,000'. From there (just above Mirror Lake) it was consistent snow to the summit.

I stayed the course of the summer trail to trail camp on the way up and took the the snowy route back to Trailside Meadow on the way down. From Trail Camp I went up the chute to Trail Crest. As far as I know, nobody took the 99 switchbacks, too much ice at the cable section. I started up the chute at 0715 and it was nice and firm, coming down was soft and post holy.

There is a nice boot track to the summit. No snow shoes required, but crampons and ice axe are a must (there were a few people up there without either, taking a mighty risk in my opionion).

Here are some photos:

Above Trailside Meadow


Trail Camp (Campsites all had snow in them, bring a shovel)


View From Trail Camp


The Chute From Trail Camp To Trail Crest




Million Dollar View From Trail Crest




Mt. Brewer and Friends


Iceberg Lake


Looking South From the Summit


[img:center]http://calicokat.smugmug.com/Hiking/Sierra-Nevada/Mt-Whitney-May-2014/i-TKLKWRP/0/L/IMG_1782-L.jpg[/img]

On the summit for the 24th time
[img:center]http://calicokat.smugmug.com/Hiking/Sierra-Nevada/Mt-Whitney-May-2014/i-MmNvXKW/0/L/IMG_1787-L.jpg[/img]

[img:center]http://calicokat.smugmug.com/Hiking/Sierra-Nevada/Mt-Whitney-May-2014/i-btkV9D7/0/L/IMG_1792-L.jpg[/img]

[img:center]http://calicokat.smugmug.com/Hiking/Sierra-Nevada/Mt-Whitney-May-2014/i-cgJ52FV/0/L/IMG_1805-L.jpg[/img]

Good View Of The Switchbacks and Chute
[img:center]http://calicokat.smugmug.com/Hiking/Sierra-Nevada/Mt-Whitney-May-2014/i-d69QDGD/0/L/IMG_1807-L.jpg[/img]

Fantastic pictures. I have got to do a winter ascent one of these days. It must be pretty cool standing up there all by your self.

THE SILENT HIKER

Calicokat,

Thanks for the nice trip report. I also hiked up the MMWT to the summit on May 3 and have one observation to add for those planning to camp overnight at Trail Camp. As of May 3, there were actually multiple good dry sites with wind shelters just off the trail at the outlet of the pond.(Look among the big boulders on the right side of the trail as you approach the outlet of the pond.) So currently, you can leave the shovel at home. Of course, that was May 3, and any new snowfall could easily change the game on the Mountain.

The creek at Trailside Meadow (at the 5 mile sign) was used as a source of water.

On May 2 I encountered Doug Sr driving around town in a forklift. We chatted and pulse oximetry came up in our discussion of climbing Mexican volcanos.) As a follow up, the reading while I rested at Trail Camp (about 12,000' elevation) was O2 sat 78% and heart rate 70. In comparison, today while resting at sea level the data are pulse ox 98% and heart rate 46. When both the readings were made, I felt fine.

Be safe on the Mountain.

Jim F

Nice work Calico/Jim

Great shots as always

Memorial Day weekend should be a fun one

Keep the TR's coming

Calico... I work at the Whitney Portal Store with Doug Sr. He found you the book Sierra Crest Route. Contact him through here to get the book in your hands

Cheers

Myles Moser

Sweet, thanks

Calico.. nice Photos and great trip, always enjoy your pictures and trip reports..

Congrats to you too Jim F


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