hey there, going up route 6 (The Mount Whitney Trail) June 3 and wondering how the trail conditions are? Ice at the top? Snow at Trail camp? Windy? I'm thinking of wearing trail runners....but, obviously not if there is snow. concerned about taking crampons and an ice axe.....should I be? I have never used either and could go up the weekend before to practice.
I'm also hiking with a 2 day permit (one night stay in the Whitney ZONE) and wondering about the best way to split the hike up. I'm NOT favoring Trail camp though. And of course, is my gear and bear box safe from human thieves during the day while I ascend?
Assuming that all goes well, should I hike my overnight pack to Outpost camp at the recommended 4 a.m., set up camp, bag the peak and return down to Outpost camp for my only night?
Or, I could do the opposite, and hike to Outpost camp for the first day and night and then on day 2 ascend and return to the Portal.
thanx, LUSH*
