Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Whitney Trail pictures, Thursday June 16

My friend Tom and I started up to dayhike Mt. Whitney on Thursday the 16th. Tom made the summit (just under seven hours) while I turned back at the bottom of the snow slope to Trail Crest. Pictures <a href=http://members12.clubphoto.com/robert634908/3364573>here</a>.

Addressing recent questions:

· The snow was good all day, even in the afternoon.
· Plenty of water all the way to Trail Camp.
· The streams are flowing full, but the crossings are no more difficult than usual.
· Crampons are helpful for traction on the snow slope to Trail Crest, and most people had them. But a few did not.
· I believe an ice ax is mandatory on this slope, especially for the descent. But again, a few didn’t take them and a couple didn’t even have hiking poles.
· The cables are still up from last year. There were tracks of people trying the switchbacks, but it appears they all gave it up halfway through the cables, and traversed over to the slope like everyone else.
· Starting after the third switchback above the cables, the trail appears to be free of snow. Exception: the final traverse below Discovery Pinnacle. I would expect that the switchbacks will be the route of choice in about two weeks.
· Tom told me that just about everyone left their crampons at Trail Crest. Between there and the summit, there is virtually no snow except for the summit snowfield. No problem getting up it.

I will be going again on Sunday, and will post pictures from that trip as well. I am taking some novices, and we will have ice axes but not crampons.

Bob,

I have heard that the "Funny Flower" you spotted is a favorite of the Yellowbill Woodpecker.

Bob,

thanks for the trail description and the photos. This is really helpful. Enjoy yourself on Sunday.

Great beta!

THANKS FOR THE UPDATE. THIS PLACE LOOKS A LOT DIFERENT WITH SNOW. IM GOING UP END OF JUNE,DEBATING THE WHOLE CRAMPON ICE AX THING.SINCE I'VE NEVER USED THEM BEFORE, AND HAVE ONLY HIKED IN SUMMER.IM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.

Thanks Bob, we're a small group going up the end of June. All of us have poles, and we're renting crampons. Your information is really helpful, and the pictures make me want to be there a week sooner!

I camped at trail camp on Thursday night and it appeared that only a few people even attempted the summit before we broke camp at 9 am (although there were some people coming up from Portal). We had the misfortune of being caught in the strong winds so no one in my party attempted the summit. I agree - up to trail camp ice axes and crampons aren't necessary. Up to trail crest however is a different story. The day I was there I wouldn't have attempted the summit without them. Other days with better weather - they may not be necessary. I didn't risk it.

Good luck on Sunday

from what i can see there, there isnt much snow at all, however im suure there are arreas where it has drifted etc...If it is mainly llike that thouugh there would be no rreal safety issue to have an axe with you, it is handy to use as a walking aid on steep ground though.
have a good one...

Drew,
Were you the guys in the tent that got blown away. If so we found your sleeping bad about 1/2 mile down the trail and left it at the Portal Store. That was wind was the worst I've experienced in 15 years. Tore the grommet right out of my Sierra design tent. Had to do some major repair work around midnight in the cold wind. 3 of the 5 tents in our party sustained damage.
We summited 9 of 11 on the 16th. We got pretty much what we expected. Noticed that some of the switchbacks have opened, but definitely not the call to take them now. Directly up the chute we went. Although one of our team skipped the crampons as the snow was nice, I wouldn't recommend it. Still not appropriate for basic hikers. After Trail crest some patches of snow, but no longer an issue. The gusty cold winds were the real pain. Whoever was the only other guy on the summit, thanks for taking all the group photos.

Joe - Thanks for the concern about our tents. Fortunately my tent didn't sustain any damage at all - Sierra Designs Comet Light. I was lucky enough to find a good campspot close up to the snow chute on the exposed rocks on the left as you approach trail camp. Some good sheltered spots up there. Unfortuantely my friends' tent did sustain some damage, but as far as I know they didn't lose anything. Congrats on making it to the top - we headed down in the morning.