Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Equipment for MR

I have day hiked the main trail numerous times and for the first time on 9/20, will be day hiking the MR. Is it prudent to take a helmet in the areas of loose overhead rock? What about wearing low gaiters to keep scree out of the boots? Any other tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

There are a ton of posts about the MR, with lots of good advice, on this board. Scroll through, or do a search to find them.

Choice of helmet, or no helmet, is a personal one. Bob R and I had an interesting discussion on this topic on our last climb (you'll have to hike/climb with him to find out what his opinion is). My decision making was influenced by the fact that a good friend was killed in a climbing accident in the Alps, despite the fact that he was wearing a helmet. (I own a couple, but they usually don't go on unless I'm told that I can't climb without it.)

Which brings out another comment: I been in a few known rockfall areas where I've seen climbers, who are tired, with there heads down. (I watched a climber on Shasta take a baseball sized rock to the chest below Red Banks, despite the fact that I was yelling at him for a good 15 seconds, because he wasn't paying attention.)

A helmet is a good idea for the chute above Iceberg Lake, especially when there are rock climbers above you on the east face routes. Low gaiters could come in handy in the chute as well if you are wearing low-top climbing shoes. A light is advisable since it is likely that you will be doing some parts of the route in the dark. There is plenty of water available until you get above Iceberg Lake, so a couple of liter bottles per person should be enough unless you are sweating a lot. You will probably be climbing in temps from near freezing to hot, so layers are the best way to dress. A water-proof shell will come in handy if you catch one of the afternoon thunderstorms. I also bring a pair of light fleece gloves since it can be cold climbing on the final chute to the summit. Sunscreen and lipscreen are required and moleskin is a good idea.

I always where a helmet when I rock climb and definitely recommend if anywhere where it's possible to encounter falling rock. Of course, you can always make the argument that you can still get hurt even wearing a helmet, but, I'd still rather have it for that one in a thousand chance. Climbing, I've been hit in the helmet several times by small falling rocks and have taken an inverted fall where my head bumped against the wall. Would I have died in any of those cases, probably not, but, I just feel safer with a helmet on and it doesn't hinder me at all now that I'm used to it. And, what are the good reasons for NOT wearing one?

I'm not getting into that arguement! Like I said, it's a personal choice. And, you're right, you are safer with one on!

"wear a helmet" not "where a helmet".