Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Climbing Whitney date question

Hi there. We successfully sumited whitney in one day on 9/15/16. We just received our lottery results and got a permit to climb again on 1010. Our friend got a permit as well for 9/26. When it comes to snow level which date is best? I definitely want to avoid snow in any cost.
Thank you in advance

You shouldn't have a problem with snow from this winter at that time, however, with the dates that you have chosen, you run the risk of Fall snow.

Those dates fall into the transitional time frame.

You could find an Indian Summer or cold and snowy conditions.

paul

Paul is correct ditch the 10/10 always a wildcard , 9/26 could be chilly and between storms but most often near the end of the season to avoid a covered trail.
We use the third week of August as start of winter and expect storms every 7-10 days with the first several to melt out but cool down the ground so the following storms can stick .So watch the webcam and trip reports as your date gets close.

Thank you for the replies
Oh man as a Brazilian the snow intimidates me to the highest level.

I can offer the following from my own experience in 9/27/2007:
Please monitor the weather 2 weeks before coming, such as will there be storm dumping lots snow. I DID NOT. On 9/27/2007 the forecast weather was a good sunny day, and I did not bring crampon and ice axe. I also was not aware that there was a storm just a week ago dumping lots snow. When I arrived at the 99 switch backs there were lots snow, and the cable section was not safe to pass without crampons and ice axe. I had to turn around.

ThinAirHiker: Exactly......It is an unsettled time and conditions change rapidly.

it's always wise to plan for the worse...take crampons and ice axe. And, if you don't need them, well, you should summit.

Thanks to Doug and ThinAirHiker.

paul

Borboleta,
we have something in common, my last name is Farfalla.
Good luck on your trip.

Thank you so much. I will do check the weather. I’m not familiar whatsoever with crampon and ice axe if there is snow I simply won’t go, or turn around.