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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,015 Likes: 3
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,015 Likes: 3 |
First few drips of rain late last night , warm system 52 at the Portal this AM and I couldn't see any snow on the upper elevation.
Clouds are scattered so some areas may get rain.
I see on Facebook the what do I do questions about the weather, this happens every year as seasons change and the simple short answer is the same: If you are not experienced and have the skill/gear and enjoy the winter conditions wait till next year , using this winter to get the experience on local mountains that you can drive to, spend a few hours and plan a few overnight trips close to home at a much lower elevation, this gives you a chance to try out the winter experience and not put your life in danger.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 992 Likes: 2
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I'm pretty sure the first few drips were a few weeks ago when I was standing in the Hostel talking to Maura. Fortunately it wasn't raining anywhere else except over by the hats. I couldn't see any snow upstairs, but then again it was 103°.
When does the tram shut down for the season?
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,015 Likes: 3
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,015 Likes: 3 |
System moved out last night, snow level very high ,say 12,000' switchbacks had a light cover this AM and may stay for a few days as they face North.Check webcam for Light snow on Thor to clear.
About 50 in the Portal today warmer than it should be for this time of year ,but season is changing daily so if you are not ready for snow .cold and short days wait till next year.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 40
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Fingers crossed that the weather holds through this weekend! I'll be up with a friend to do the MT. See you, I hope!
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,439 Likes: 9
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Posts: 5,439 Likes: 9 |
I was up there on Friday/Saturday...
A little (and I really mean only a little more) more icy on the East Side (micro's from just below The Cables up to Trail Crest) and a little less ice on the West Side... Slight breeze... it was a WHOLE LOT warmer than the previous weekend...
NOW ON TO A RANT...
Someone from the FS or NPS was nice enough to unlock the SAR side of the Hut so we can get out of the weather behind a closed door...
Someone was enough of an ID 10 T to leave the door open instead of closing it...
What do you think is going to happen with the first big storm if the door is left open?
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 592 Likes: 2
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 592 Likes: 2 |
Was at Whitney Portal Friday (Nov 2) for a trail run. Very warm, dry weather for this time of year. Many overnight hikers were heading up the Main Trail.This was the first day that there is no longer a quota on Mt Whitney Permits (until next May 1).
The Store was still open and Doug gave me some insights into the history of the area. I had just finished reading Mount Whitney-America's Mountain by Gene Rose (2016) and needed help filling in some of the story.
As Doug and I were talking, Richard P entered the Store. He had just descended from the Summit and noted how favorable the hiking conditions were.
Will be interesting to see how long this dry spell lasts.
Jim
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,439 Likes: 9
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Posts: 5,439 Likes: 9 |
It was so nice on Friday that I decided to do a repeat on Sunday...
Warmer (if you can believe that - 38 on the summit fairly early), but a bit more wind...
I'd say 50+/- people on the mountain...
Nice that acclimitization if finally kicking in... nearly an hour (faster isn't the right word)...
Store was empty when I got down on Sunday afternoon... six months 'til another WPS Burger (bummer).
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 66
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was the back room door still open? i saw a video of the back room from a couple weeks ago it was open then// so appears it was open at least a week... also, when you said some idiot left the door open did you mean the main door? Argh! that's annoying.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,439 Likes: 9
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,439 Likes: 9 |
I was up there on Friday/Saturday...
A little (and I really mean only a little more) more icy on the East Side (micro's from just below The Cables up to Trail Crest) and a little less ice on the West Side... Slight breeze... it was a WHOLE LOT warmer than the previous weekend...
NOW ON TO A RANT...
Someone from the FS or NPS was nice enough to unlock the SAR side of the Hut so we can get out of the weather behind a closed door...
Someone was enough of an ID 10 T to leave the door open instead of closing it...
What do you think is going to happen with the first big storm if the door is left open?
I almost forgot... Another idiot left the door on the SAR side open again... If someone from the FS wants to give me a lock, I'll put it on this weekend... better to lock it, then have the hut fill with snow. On a positive note: someone tried to re-hang the "public" side door... it's just hanging there, though.
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