Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board THE LOTTERY BLOWS

Why is everyone so fixated on Whitney. Go climb Russell, the Palisades, Langley. All more enjoyable and more serene Mts in my opinion.
Eric

Dear Steve of Fresno,
I do not think the Whintey lotto is ratcheted down too hard. The lottery system is needed and those who are not successful can always try again or take their luck on a walk-on permit. Sometimes we do not always get what we want. Sometimes the things we hold dearest to us are stripped from us without a moment's notice. You know precisely what I mean, don't you? And you just have to suck it up, deal with the injustice/betrayal/disappoinment and carry on anyhow. That is my motto in many aspects of life and I am winning because of it, just ask around. Give JR and the tot my best wishes. Cheers.
Ellen of Fresno

Almost forgot Steve, I got my lotto permits this year, my account was charged earlier this month. Good luck to you.

Another person lost to what we are talking about
Im pretty sure everyone on this board understands that if you dont get the first time you can always try again. "Of course we all remeber that from grade school"

What's the fascination w/ Whitney? There are a million great hikes in the Sierra, way harder than Whitney w/o all the morons carrying bbq's, beer, small tv sets, and pounds of raw cow meat to eat along the way. Wouldn't want to miss a meal; it's America after all, and our fathers fought WWI and WWII for the right to bbq large mammals at will.

Besides, everyone knows Whitney isn't even the highest peak in the lower 48. Duh.

You may want to try starting at Cottonwood Lakes or Cottonwood Pass. Both are about three days of hiking to the summit. If you ask for the exit trail to be same, you probably will get the dates you want. Here is the key, ask to modify your permit when you pick it up. Ask to exit at Trail Crest. That way you can go all the way to Whitney Portal. I have done this two different times without a problem. One other helpful tip, is to start your hike on Sunday or Monday, so that you exit on Wedenesday or Thursday.

Also, this is based on the fact that you can hike 17 plus miles a day.