Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board April Camping

I am planning on heading up to Whitney near the end of April (before the permit period). Just wondering what current conditions are and likely conditions will be getting up to the trailhead (can you still drive up there?), and getting up to, possibly, Iceburg Lake. Any information or weblinks would be greatly appreciated. On a final note, I'm going to be spending the night up there, so estimated temps. would also help out!

First real question is when the road will be open to the portal. With current snow/ rock reports on the road it will not be too soon. They plow and clean up the road before the Whitney Portal Campground opens in middle of May. Hopefully by late April you will be able to drive to the portal. I would not suspect much sooner then that. It might not even be open until the first week of May or so this year.

Based on average Temperatures in the valley, like Lone Pine and Bishop, I would guess temperatures expectations would be like the chart below. If the weather is clear and sunny it can be nice during the day, but cold at night. I think these temperatures might be a little high, since I think the heavy snow might cool things down a little up high on the mountain.
These temperatures are based on averages on May and April, and just a guess for late April/ early May. They assume a drop in temperatures of 3.5 degrees every 1000 feet.

In town 76/40 Lone Pine or Bishop
@ 8360 feet 60/24 Whitney Portal
@11000 feet 51/15 Just below Upper Boy Scout
@12600 feet 46/10 Iceberg East face lake

Stephen's temp ranges look pretty reasonable but even the weather people on TV are wrong fairly often on forecasts for a day or week into the future. Spent one night up there a couple of weeks ago and the amount of snow (as has been described here recently) is amazing. Regardless of the ambient temps you would best plan for FULL WINTER CONDITIONS...

Don't tell me you are going up to Iceberg and aren't thinking about the summit. Two guys got up to the notch on skis and climbed the chute from there...Snow supposedly pretty thin back there which could make it interesting on the way down if you are late topping out and things are freezing up for the night. A light rope, slings/webbing and appropriate (expendable) anchors might be nice to have for a rap or belay if you descend that way. Likewise, the traverse might be just fine in fat/soft snow but I'd hate to slip there when it's icy. Careful!

The road will probably have a pretty decent piste by the time you go but one good dump could change that. 'Approach' to the Portal for me felt like 4-5 miles but I dunno for sure. Be realistic about your pace if you are carrying winter gear and are using snowshoes. I'd try to plan at least two nights if the conditions are similar to now. Three nights with good cold conditions and a high pressure system would give you a great shot at the summit. Full moon helps too!

Fast and light you could do it in one night with a bivy sack or by not sleeping but you wouldn't be posting here if you were one of 'those guys' =).

The good news: Routefinding is a total no brainer...

1.) Hike up snow slope from the Portal 'til you hit rock.

2.) Turn Left.

3.) Turn Right at the 'corner'.

4.) Go UP!

Good luck, be safe and ENJOY!

I kind of agree with Alpine Swine. Temperature ranges, based on the last 30 years, are helpful but don't really predict what you will experience the time you are there. There are many variables and that early in the year you should be prepared for any kind of weather.

The most important thing camping in the snow is staying dry, especially while sleeping. If you can do that, the temperature swings won't be that much of an issue.

Carefully work out your gear issues and enjoy the mountain. It is beautiful up there in the early spring when everything is covered with snow.

Thanks for all the advice. Given the road conditions, I might go with spending 2 nights out instead of one. Does anyone know of avalanche postings or warnings that are available via the web for the Whitney area?
Gusto

Gusto,
Although most of their test pits are located closer to Mammoth this <a href="http://www.csac.org/Bulletins/Calif/esierra.php"> group</a> has general infomation about avalanche conditions that relate to the Eastern Sierra.

Not exactly the Whitney area but can be helpful nonetheless.
<a href="http://www.csac.org/Bulletins/Calif/esierra.php">http://www.csac.org/Bulletins/Calif/esierra.php</a>

I plan to go up April 9-11 and will post a report. That should give you some good info to go on if you plan on heading up a week or two later. We do not plan on the road being open that early but who knows. Some are predicting a significant warming pattern this spring due to a La Nina developing.

Gusto: Best information on Avalanches and where they have happened is in a report by Bob R.

see:

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001606

I too will be giving Whitney a try the last part of April this year. It has been about 16 years since I last did Whitney, but I got the chance to do Langley back in early October this year, and had a blast (yes, I know there is no comparing Whitney and Langley except for the elevation). I would be very interested in a report from you spinefxr if you do go around the 9th of April. I am expecting a ton of snow, but it sounds like you will be able to tell us all for sure. Best of luck (or skill) to you.