Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board June 25th Overnight Permit Holders

I noticed a couple other groups for the same weekend. Thought I'd start a thread for us to introduce ourselves. Hopefully it won't end up being a thread for us to comiserate about the snow together.

I'm Josh, 30, live in Orange County. I'll be hiking with my dad, Ray, 64, who lives in Fresno.

We have a reservation for the WP campground for Friday night. Hiking to Trail Camp Saturday. Summitting (fingers crossed) and coming down on Sunday.

Depending on the weight of my pack, I might have a few extra cups of coffee available Sunday morning in trail camp.

What's up, Josh. My name is Darius. My wife, Deanne, and I are from Orange County, too. We're gonna try to do the day hike Saturday. We'll be driving up Fri afternoon. I don't think we'll make it to the top, since we're not experienced in snow or ice. But we're looking forward to the scenery.
One question: Did you need to make your reservation a while ago for the campsite? I need to call and get one if it's not too late.

Hi Josh & Darius, my name is Perry(perryti)from Los Angeles, will be there same period. Due to Josh's advise today. I changed my plan to arrive W/P on Friday nite. I read someone's post before, who just set up their tents in the W/P parking space in the evening. It is good idea to start hiking up Trail camp next early morning. Instead of using the Msg Board to discuss of our own summit planning, here is my e-mail address "perry@actionsales.com". Anyone with the same permit on June 25-26, is welcome to send me email to coordiante about our trip. Thanks Perry

Hi Darius and Perry. I made my reservation online two days after I got my permit notice and there were only two campsites left. There are a few first-come-first-serve sites, but scoring one is a crap shoot. If worst comes to worst, there is a lower campground (I'm not refering to the lower loop of the WP camground). It's at the bottom of the mountain, but I don't think it ever fills up. Staying at WP was important to me this time, because it's above 8000 ft. I stayed at the other campground last time and got major altitude sickness on the trail the next day (there were other contributing factors like not getting enough sleep).

I will be on the mountain that weekend with a group of 6. We will be leaving the Parking Lot early Saturday Morning, spending night in Trail Camp Saturday, Summit and return to trail camp Sunday, and return to trail camp on Monday.

We are in our 50's, mostly; you will recognize me as the portliest hiker you see.

Hi nv,
If you're the portliest hiker that's easiest to reconize, so I will, being the tiniest hiker at 50. Our group has 4 men & one young lady. Due to work, we have no choice but to arrive at Lone Pine station for our permit on Saturday morning, then we will all hike the way up to Trail camp. See you guys at Trail camp. Tks Perryti

Last year we were able to have the permits left in the overnight box outside the station and pick them up when we got there late in the evening. We had to call ahead to make that arrangement.

Yeah, we're planning on arranging for a Fri night pickup also. I tried calling yesterday to see if they'll allow that, but I was too impatient to wait on hold that long.
You'll be able to recognize me, too. I just had my "over-the-hill" birthday (The big 3-0!). You'll spot me by following the glare off my bald white head, unless I'm wearing a huge hat to keep the sun from burning me. Shout my name, or for my wife Deanne, and we'll all meet up for some smores Fri night. Hoping to land a campsite at the portal, but we may end up having to crash at the lower one.
If we don't see you camping Fri night, we'll probably meet you as you jog past us up the mountain (or hill, as some of you probably call it).
See ya,
-Darius

Perryti,
They really just set up a tent in the parking lot? Is there no problem with that?

He may be referring to this picture:

<img src=http://piotrowski.smugmug.com/photos/20989208-S.jpg>

You won't get away with this during the permit season. No camping is allowed in any of the parking lots. This picture was taken in April, and there were no rangers in the area.

Last time I was there, you couldn't have camped in the parking lot even if you wanted to, as it was completely packed with cars. That was before day-hike permits were required, but I imagine that it's still crowded during the summer months.

Richard P, Joshcube & dveleas, Yeah, thats the picture what I mentioned. Now I know that is not a good idea to camping in the parking lots during summer months. Agaim, thanks for your detail. Perry

Just want to throw in my two cents on altitude acclimation. A lot of you seems to be cutting this step short. Lots of other threads on the topic. To fully enjoy your high altitude adventure, do whatever it takes to spend at least 12 hours above 8000 ft before starting the hike. Longer and higher is better. We usually camp at Horseshow Meadows (drive to 10,000 ft.) for a day and a half. If you cannot do this, start out really slow, drink and snack frequently and camp at Outpost Camp (10,000 ft) the first night. On a day hike, rest a lot below 12,000, after that it will be too late and you will be at a slow pace anyway. I know this goes against the urge to race up the mountain, but I have seen too many unhappy sick people rushed up to Trail Camp then turn back or trudge forward, head faced down, maybe make to the summit only wanting to get down quickly. They miss what they came for. It's not a race, it a journey each step of the way. Enough, happy trails.

Tks Icpman, Our group of 6 have been tested in last Oct's dayhiking, straight up to trail camp w/o big problem of high altitude, that's abt. 13,000' already. As we will spend one nite b4 summit, I think we will be Ok to enjoy the winter
adventure. Anyway, appreciate to you & all
who post their message on this board. Tks Perry

Josh, Perryti, & others,
Just wanted to see if you guys are getting as excited as I am about the trip that's nearly 2 WEEKS AWAY!
Someone posted a great report with pictures of this past weekend's conditions in case you guys didn't see it yet.
Anyway, we got campsites at the lower campground because there were none available at the portal, and we're afraid to put our tent on the parking lot. There were only 4 sites left when I got the reservation, so if any of you don't have a campsite yet, you may want to hurry.
Keep in touch, and we hope to see you the 25th!
-Darius

Hi Darius & Josh, I just read the topic "current trail conditions" by warmerdm22 & his great pictures. Many tks for sharing his summit experience w/ us, it is so helpful. Due to short of time. I will p/up our permit @8:00am 06/25 once rangers office opened, then drive up Portal asap. Estiamte to Trail Camp @ 4-5:00 pm & meet you all. I called around & found A16 in L.A. can rent crampons & ice axe for this trip, will got it instead of Lone Pine Sporting store, just in case & save time to start early. We're countdown 19 days to see you in MW. So exciting & I can't wait. Good Luck to all Mt. Lovers. Perry

I'm counting the days. I was very encouraged by that recent trip report. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that the snow will melt enough to not need crampons/axe.

Have you checked out the White Mountain Peak Cam lately? Two weeks ago it was almost all white... now look:

http://128.111.23.109/camD.html

I hope Whitney experiences a similar melt the next two weeks.

I also went to the local REI to get a rental sheet. The bear canister rental alone will end up being about $32. I'm going to have to call Lone Pine Sporting Goods and see how much they charge.

Josh, re: bear canister, you can rent w/ Lone Pine ranger station during permit p/u, but I'm not sure how much it cost & what size. If anyone know, pls advise, tks Perry

The Mt. Whitney Ranger Station rents the Garcia Backpackers Cache (2 lbs.-13 oz) for $2.50 per day with a $5 minimum.

I'm not part of your June group, but saw the questions regarding bear canisters. We've always rented ours from the Whitney Portal Store at the trailhead.