Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board advice on day hike v overnight on whitney

hi, i live in lake tahoe at 6250 feet and im debating whether to day hike or overnight in the fall. i think ill be in shape by then, i work for the tahoe rim trail. but i cant decide and cant find a partner as of now. any tips would be appreciated. just keep climbing!

Being at 6,250 feet, you WILL BE in better shape than us sea level devils. Being a Whitney dayhiker, I would suggest you do an overnighter if you have the time and since you are travelling such a short distance. Why fret over a partner? Go solo and hook up with other hikers along the way! Have fun.

All depends on how much time you want to spend on the mountain. While both day hike and overnights are focused on summitting, putting in 22 miles in one day usually occupies all your time and attention. If you want to explore a little bit and have more options regarding where you observe sunrise and sunset, camp overnight. On the other hand, day trips don't require as heavy a load and you can certainly move faster. Living at altitude gives you a distinct advantage over mostly everyone else you'll see on the mountain. Regardless of you're approach, you should have a great trip.

On a dayhike you usually don't get back in time to get a burger and beer at the portal..

"Just a drinker with a climbing problem." Good one, BJ!!!

mtnrider74
Either way, you will have a good time. My 2 cents worth is to do an overnighter. Whitney is a stunning mountain that hosts great beauty. Why not enjoy the journey a little more and take in the views, sunrises, sunsets, etc.

I hiked Whitney in the fall during the late 80's. Got real lucky with the weather. I was in shorts on the summit in early Nov.! The fall color was magnificent! Have fun when you go! mc

There are places in the world I love to simply be overnight, and there are places where I stay overnight only in order to get to a destination. Unlike other places to backpack, the Whitney main trail is a place where I would only stay overnight in order to get to a destination, so my decision gets based on the easiest way to get to the top and back and enjoy the trip.

If you are in shape to go 22 miles with the elevation gain and loss of Whitney, and in shape to do it quickly enough to actually make it a day hike, my preference is to make it a day hike. If I am in shape and acclimated, my preferred, not-to-hurried pace is to get to the top in around 6 1/2 hours and down in 5 1/2 (although I've pushed down faster). I like to leave by 3:30, do very little stopping before Consultation Lake (it is dark for awhile anyway) and more stopping and enjoying the views up until the summit, and if the top isn't too crowded spend around an hour at the top, for a 13 hour trip, which gets you back down in plenty of time before the store closes for a burger and a beer, even if it is October and the store closes at 6.

You will find others who go much faster than that pace, others who go significantly slower, but even up to a 16 hour trip, I still like the idea of a dayhike (and it still gets you back in plenty of time for a burger and beer if it is September when closing time is 8 p.m.).

Although a dayhike means not getting much sleep the night before the trip, I can't sleep very well up on that trail anyway, especially the first night out. I go overnight, I lug stuff partway up the mountain, and have a poor night's sleep, and end up heading up the switchbacks around the same time as if I get a 3 or 3:30 start from the portal while feeling more worn out than if I was acclimated and slept in a comfortable bed in Lone Pine and woke up early, or even more worn out than if I slept on an air mattress in a tent at the Portal. If I am only spending one night, I get back to camp and then have to strap on a lot more weight to make the slog down, and I get back later and more worn out than I would if I did a dayhike.

If I spend a couple of nights, at least I usually sleep a little better the second night and am returning at a more reasonable pace and get down at an earlier hour than if I dayhike -- in some ways, if I spend two nights, I'm less worn out than if I dayhike, but in other ways, a little more worn out, since I've spent a couple of nights on the trail and lugged some more weight around.

I assume you are not considering a longer trip, but if you really have time and really want to overnight, I would take a longer trip and get to Trail Crest from the west. The final night of camping in the Guitar Lake vicinity is a place I stay only in order to get to my destination, but with pretty much any route, all previous nights would be places I would enjoy staying even if I weren't going to the top of Whitney. Of course, this requires a shuttle of some kind, but even if you are alone, there are always ways to get back to where you started. You can start at many different places. I like the trip from Onion Valley, others have different preferences.

In general, I would say overnight is not worth it unless you are spending at least two nights on the trail. Even at two nights, coming from the Portal I prefer the dayhike so long as everyone in the group is in shape to do it, I find it more pleasant and comfortable (although I realize that pleasure and comfort are not everything when it comes to hiking and backpacking). But with only one night, I find I have less time to enjoy the journey and the views (especially the journey and views between camp and the summit and back, which is where the views are best). I would also say that if you or your group needs more than around 16 hours to get to the top to dayhike, I would stay a night or preferably two (and if you are staying only one night, try to get started to the summit on the second day well before sunrise, or you'll get back to the Portal a lot later than you want -- you have to carry more weight after you get back to camp to pick up the rest of your stuff, and you have to do it when you're tired).

There are also many other beautiful hikes to take in the area, and even more if you expand your scope to the drive between Tahoe and Lone Pine. Not only do I find you can enjoy the views and beauty at least as well if not better than with a one night stay, it also gives you at least another day to take a hike somewhere else at a leisurely pace with good views and beauty to enjoy.

This is only my experience and feelings. Your results may vary.

I've done the hike both ways and much prefer the day hike.
Bob T. covered most of the same reasons why I like that option better.
Really, who wants to hump all that gear up and down the mountain when you can do it with a day pack instead.

I am very curious; for those of us who don't hike/climb every single weekend (you guys are animals...you know who you are )isn't it a "little" better to help acclimatize if you stay at TC and make Whitney an overnighter? I remember vividly when I hiked Whitney many years ago that there were strong guys laying in a fetal position with altitude sickness. They were literally strewn along the switchbacks. I felt lucky that I was not affected at all but I did stay overnight at TC.

To all of you experienced Whitney people, what do you think?

MC

Well, at least I know what kind of animal I am!!

Even though I try to get out and do something every weekend, and train at the gym during the week, I still like to get some acclimitization before I go. It just makes things more pleasant overall.

And now that I've done both one-day and multi-day of Whitney, I'd have to say I like the overnight a bit more. The whole idea of exploring, sitting around to write in my journal, take photos, etc. really appeals to me.

-L

For me, I enjoy the overnighting experience. A chance to get out and "feel" the mountain and the Sierra. Personally, I feel too rushed on the dayhike. Overnighting gives me a chance to relax in camp that night, listen to the sounds around me, and chill after a good day hiking.

Hey MooseTracks...we're going to get along GREAT!!! Looking forward to our adventure! Btw, we'll have to come up with an animal for me. I like the eagle as it gets a "birds eye view" but I can be tough when the going gets rough!!!

I put the following words in the Orientation Notes in Decide whether to day hike or stay overnight:

Quote:

Both day hikes and overnight hikes have their advantages and their disadvantages. Overnight hikes let you acclimate at different elevations and let you see more of the trail in daylight. Day hikes give you less exposure to temperature/elevation extremes and require less equipment.

Unless you are an experienced mountain backpacker, you probably would find a day hike easier to plan for your first hike on the main trail. You also have better odds of getting your desired entry date with a day hike, since the daily quota is higher and the demand is less for day hike permits. Just be sure to train well, acclimatize before starting the trail, and carry along some emergency supplies just in case something unexpected happens (See the reports 3 ladies survive the night outside, storm on July 28, storm on August 15).

It all depends on how much you like lugging gear up the mountain and how much flexibility you have in your schedule. Going on an overnight trip is not an excuse for not training well before your trip (but it sounds like you are already conditioned). I prefer going on a number of long training hikes and doing a day hike.


I have heard stories of people getting altitude sickness staying overnight at Trail Camp because of the increased exposure to high altitude. On a day hike, you probably will not stay more than 10 hours above 12,000 feet (and about half of that time you will be hiking downhill). If you stay overnight at Trail Camp you can easily spend 12 hours at 12,000 feet before you start your hike to the summit. Yes, day hikes require a little more training and a little more acclimation at a base camp, but you do not have to hike every weekend to be ready. Bottom line is that it all depends on the individual.

Pretty much all of the above responses are worth your reflection. In short, there are a lot of issues to consider, and you have to think about the ones that are important to you. One which needs to be emphasized is the experience you are after. I’m not sure what I was after in my youth, but in my old age I have come to treasure my time in the mountains, and I care less for getting it over with quickly and going back to the grind. I guess mountaineering to me has evolved to more like a glass of fine pinot and less like a slug of Thunderbird. I want to maximize my time up there rather than minimize it.

If my goal is just to summit Mt. Whitney and I am by myself, about half the time I will plan for a day and the other half overnight. I tallied up my last 20 trips: Six were day climbs and 14 were overnights. Several of the latter were “combo” trips, including other peaks in the area. Or they came at the end of a multi-day journey from another trailhead. A couple of times I was taking new people, and I wanted them to cherish memories of a wonderful experience—not what an ordeal it was.

As VersatileFred and others have said, it depends on what you want to get out of it—and, I will add, what you want to remember about it.

Mention has been made of having to lug overnight gear up the mountain. Well, that doesn’t have to be a big deal. For example, I am spending tomorrow night on the summit. I have my pack ready, and it weighs in at a whopping 11.2 lbs. That includes food, gear, clothing, stove, pot, my toasty 40º sleeping bag, and all the other necessary comforts. And oh yes: a book and some evening libations—to share with any others who happen to be of the same mind.

Whatever, you cannot make a wrong decision.

sorry I have to work and miss all the fun - happy aniversary

MooseTracks...are we taking notes???

My husband & I much prefer overnighting..in fact , now that we're "senior citizens", we make it a 3-day trip. Day hikers miss a lot of the good stuff along the way. Those interested in photography or wildlife would definitely want the extra time. If your only purpose in being there is getting to the summit, then dayhike it. I personally go to enjoy the mountain. Sitting on the summit is just the icing on the cake.

As you can imagine both have their advantages. I love to dayhike because I don't need to lug so much stuff up the trail. However it sure is nice to hang around the lakes and take time to enjoy the area.

So the real issue hinges on the time you have. If you have more time backpacking makes it very nice. If time is short dayhike and go home early.

When I backpack we start latter and take lots of time relaxing at the lakes. When I dayhike I get up at 3:00 am and gut it out all the way to the top and down, before driving home. Both options fill good memories of Mt. Whitney.

There's still a heater up in the Smithsonian Hut, adding another creature comfort to the mix.

Have a good 55th up there! Is it going to be your 155th ascent? (We know you're well beyond 2x the anniversary, so it isn't only 110.)

Ditto on MT making at note of the pack weight.

As one who doesn't hike/climb every single weekend, I can give my answer to that question.

I remember well a discussion I had with a fellow from Germany who had seen me pull up in my car at the Portal at 3:30 a.m., and he was getting close to the summit shortly after 11 a.m. as I was getting off. He asked where I had spent the night before. I told him Lone Pine. He was astonished that the altitude wasn't affecting me, and asked how that could be. I told him that except for the night before in Lone Pine when I had a comfortable bed, the previous 7 nights I had slept at 9-10,000 feet, and had mostly been hiking between 9,000 and 12,000 for the previous 8 days, and he understood. Indeed, I think one night at lower altitude, albeit not a long night sleep since I woke up at 2 to have breakfast and get to the Portal, had helped energize me.

As someone who lives at around 300 feet, I find the idea of going for a weekend to Whitney somewhat unpleasant unless I have been doing some other hiking at altitude, and I've never done it as part of less than a week in the Sierra. If I'm going to climb Whitney, I don't want it unpleasant, so I want to be somewhat acclimated before I head up to 14,000. If I want to hike in the mountains for just a weekend, I'll do it at lower than 14,000 feet, so I can do it without feeling lousy.

Because mtnrider74 says he lives at Tahoe and works for the Tahoe Rim Trail, I figure he's at least acclimated to some decent altitude, so my response to him is based in part on that. Me, I would want some hikes over 12,000 to feel better. Going up and sleeping right away at 12,000 makes a lot of people more sick than hiking to 14,000 and coming back down, but for most people, it is wise to be somewhat acclimated before doing either one. I'm sure there are some people who can do it, but I don't know anyone who, without having some very recent hiking at altitude under their belt, can simply drive up and get to the top of Whitney with just one night on the trail without feeling significant adverse affects of altitude. Maybe you can do it, but if you can, you are the exception.

Just for my own experience as one who lives at sea level and usually doesn't get hiking at altitude more than once a year, twice if I'm lucky, if I had the time to spend a night on the trail to help get acclimated, then I would have time to get a shorter day hike at altitude the day before, and I would do that to acclimate rather than spend a night at Trail Camp. When in need of getting quickly, I've done Mount Dana on the way from the Bay Area to 395, and although I don't feel great going from sea level to 13,000 feet, it is only a six mile RT and it goes quickly enough that I never get very bad.

I've yet to do Whitney with just a weekend to spend, but if I had to do it, just for acclimation purposes and based on other past experiences, I would rather dayhike the day before to at least 12,000 feet and then dayhike Whitney the next, as opposed to heading up the trail and sleeping at 12,000 feet. Everyone is different, so my way might not be for everyone, and I haven't ever done my way because I don't want to climb Whitney without sufficient acclimation, but I do have some experience hiking altitude without time for sufficient acclimation, so I have some basis for my choice.

I do appreciate the attitude of people who like to go slower and enjoy the beauty of the area. The Whitney main trail, however, is often a crowded place that I find less pleasant to relax and enjoy than many, many other places around the Sierra. Since I always have done Whitney as part of at least a week in the Sierra, I spend a lot of time on the trip relaxing and enjoying lakes and mountains and beauty, sometimes backpacking, sometimes taking numerous dayhikes. I think it is great to go backpacking up to Whitney starting somewhere other than the Portal, and the main trail is then just a quick way down to end the shuttle trip by which time I've reached the highlight and am done with the relaxing soaking in of beauty anyway. Also, the Portal (or Lone Pine) is a nice place to headquarter to spend a few days taking day hikes to various places in the area, there are many, many beautiful places around there besides the Whitney main trail, and they are much less crowded and much more peaceful.

When I'm in that neck of the woods and in shape, I get tempted to go to the top of Whitney, but to me, the main trail just seems like a good place to dayhike, and I'll spend the night out on the trail somewhere else. Again, your results may vary.

Bob R - I know you won't get this until after you return from your celebratory overnight on the summit, but HAPPY 55th (anniv.)!! A lot of water under the bridge during those years, or in your case, trail under the boots! Best wishes for many more.

CaT