Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board switch backs and ice

Our group is arriving July 5th to do a day hike to the summit on the main trail.
I have read that the Switchbacks will probably be covered with ice due to the winter and early date.
How dangerous would that part be?

Would there be other areas of concern that early like the Windows?

Can we bring ice axes & crampons just to get a better grip on an icy trail or is this serious ice climbing and we should take a course and get some practice in the Sierras now or cut the hike short at the Switch backs?

This is our first trip.
Thanks

No one can tell you what the conditions will be like in 2.5 months. You should ask about trail conditions a couple of weeks before your trip.

I agree that you should ask back in 2 months. In regards to the second half of your question, crampons and ice axes should never be used without proper training. They can be more hurtful than helpful if you do not know how and when to use them.
Eric J Lee

Thanks

Ditto on asking back shortly prior to the trip.

I have seen ice on a short section of the trail by the cables in August after a particularly wet year. By then it was well travelled and there was a groove down the middle of the ice; not really dangerous, but quite slick. I guess that's why the cables are there.

Heard that in that same year the Forest Service lost a mule pack train off of that section.

When I hiked up the main trail last year in October (before snowfall), there was a stretch of about 200 feet which was completely covered in ice. This spot is where the rails are put up. You have the rail to stabilize you as you pass that section, so you just have to check your footing and hold on tight!

As said before, no one will know what conditions will be like in 2.5 months, but with the snow level being high this year, there may be more ice than usual. I guess we'll have to just wait and see?
Gusto

All anyone can do is guess but based off the conditions I have seen the last 4 Marchs at Whitney Portal my guess would be there will snow and ice on the switchbacks between Trail Camp and Trail Crest.

I would prepare like these conditions will exist in July.

If you are not prepared to descend over ice and snow bag your trip before you go through an icy section of trail. The problem with ice and snow isn't on the ascent as much as it is on the descent.

I've been on Mt. Langley during a 4th of July weekend and White Mountain in June without having to travel through snow. This will not be that year.

There will in all likelihood be snow on the Switchbacks in early July. The slope is high and north facing so it doesn't receive much sun. There have been many accidents on this slope over the years. There is about 8-10 feet of snow at Iceberg Lake right now (as of three days ago) and that elevation is similar to Trail Camp.

Bring ice axes and crampons and make sure you learn how to use them. There are guide services who teach this stuff: http://www.sierramountaineering.com/snow_travel.html
The course is $98.

While I would agree with the above posts that you should inquire into conditions a couple weeks before your trip, I would also strongly recommend getting the training sooner rather than later. This will give you more time to practice during your training climbs.

Have fun and be safe!

Gusto: I was on the summit on October 7th...the cables section was all ice. Im clumsy anyways..but it was touchy getting through there huh? Sonomadiver...I'll just miss you on the trail. It's so beautiful up there!! I have a permit for July 8-10th. I better prepare for snow and ice, apparently they are extending the park closure through June?? A friend talked to the Ranger Station today...any truth to this guys?

Here's my guess: By July 5 almost all of the snow will be gone from the switchbacks, perhaps 95%. But that 5%--mostly just above the cables and then the final traverse to Trail Crest--will get your attention.

However, there will be nice trenches to walk in, where as many as 1000 souls will have passed through by this time. These trenches can be icy walking before the snow softens up for the day, but that shouldn't bother dayhikers. Just time it so you are on the switchbacks after 9 AM or so, and back down below them by 4 or 5. If it's a warm day, as it could very well be, this time slot could be expanded appreciably.

I sure hope I'm right, because I'm taking some flatlanders up there on an overnight climb two weeks earlier, and we won't have ice axes or crampons. I am a concerned that a couple of them may be a little timid here, but I will have a short length of rope to hopefully give them enough confidence to brave the worst parts. Still, there is a fair chance some will have to turn back.

But you don't have to depend on my guess, or anyone else's. As others have said, you should get a good idea from the reports posted a week or two earlier. In particular, look for mine on or about June 21.