Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board permits 10/28 vs weather

Hey all, have enjoyed reading everyones notes. My daughter and I have permits for Sat 10/28 and I am very concerned about the weather. I can't seem to get an accurate reading on what the forcast is, if someone down there could help me I would sure appreciate it! Everyone has there opinions on the msg board but I am not sure what to do. I have climbed all the mountains in WA state but my daughter has not and ice is certainly an issue. I have not made reservations yet flying from Seattle and wonder if I should postpone til next year. I had tried to get permits for July/Aug like everyone else but got pushed back to Oct in hopes of a nice Fall. We have been working really hard for this but I will not take chances, the mountain will be there. (one hopes, coming from the Mt.St. Helens state Thanks for letting me vent, if anyone can give me an idea of the next couple weeks (and I realize systems move in and out)I would sure appreciate it, looking at weather maps up here are not accurate! We don't mind the cold and are prepared but ice on rock needing crampons/ice ax is a little different. Thanks alot and good luck to everyone hope to see you on the slopes someday! Trish

How goes it. I'll be in town to climb with a day hike permit on 10/28 as well. My friend may be there as well, but I might be going solo if he can't make it. I've heard reports that some years are dry, others aren't--haven't seen anything yet on the forecast for 10/28 (please feel free to stick with this post, let me know if you find a forecast as the day gets closer--I'll do the same). Crampons and ice axe are recommended in my opinion. Will hopefully see you folks on the trail.

Hi to Drazz47---thanks for the post. I have turned in my permits for 10/28 because altho I have done alot of glacier travel in WA my daughter has not and with the recent storms down there she was uncomfortable with a crash course in ax/crampon use. I have read where there is now snow at Trailhead with temps into single digits above 11000'. I hated to turn in my permits worked hard to get them but better to try next year than to risk it. I will stay on the msg board thru the winter and hopes to see you next year. Good luck with your travels, stay safe let me know how the climb went after! Trish

Just returned from Whitney and Kearsarge pass. Consensus from climbers and USFS was to use the chute for a direct ascent of the bowl to Trail Crest, and with the recent storms (see Doug sr.'s posting) there should now be enough snow to facititate a safe self arrest if needed. No one I've spoken with has any information yet on the accumulation of snow on the backside between Trail Crest and the summit; in the past this has been dependent on how much wind accompanied the storms. Below Trail Camp the warm days have created thick trail ice due to freeze/thaw cycles. Poles are a real help long before breaking out the crampons, though I did see some crampon use on the trail. Best of luck and stay safe.