Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board What r typical conditions last week of march?

I am planning a trip end of march. Just curious what the norm is that time of year. i have only visited whitney in the early summer months. Any info would be great. Thank you.

Not sure there is much of a norm though I am sure there is some average (but that won't help much). Good snow years with lower temps there is ice climbing to be done throughout the Whitney region as well as skiing and snowshoeing. Low snow year could find rock and ice with little snow. Higher than average temps could have nothing and thunderstorms...

Best bet just keep track of conditions throught this board and weather services and prepare for a little variety.

Here is a photo from April: http://www.summitpost.org/image/86481/188095/member-profile-photo.html


edit: added link...

March tends to be one of those wildcard months like January & February. Basic gear typically includes snowshoes, crampons, ice axe, and poles. Successful summits depend greatly upon the weather and how long it has been since the last storm. Daytime temps on sunny days will start to rise but nighttime temps will still be cold. New snow means snowshoes and hard work. The longer it has been since the last storm the more likely the snow will consolodate. Firm snow is your friend. If you don't have to use snowshoes your chances of reaching the summit are greatly increased. Follow an existing boot track and try to get an early start to avoid possible softening in the afternoon. On the MT the switchbacks will almost surely be covered in snow and most climbers will use the snow slope below Trail Crest (crampons & ice axe). For the MR the North Fork is usually nicely filled in with snow. Using the E-Ledges is not necessary. From Iceberg to the Notch should also be filled with snow as well as the chute above the notch. Be careful above the notch especially when descending. Many will rope up here. Some will not. Most ascents will take about 3 days. Sometimes conditions will be suitable for strong dayclimbers. At best you'll probably be able to park near the Meysan Lakes trailhead. At worst you may have to park at the base of the mountains.

I was on the MR last year, which was pretty dry, at the end of March. The North Fork below LBSL was a mess w/ sorta bushwhacking and sorta a snow climb. We had to use the Ledges, but from LBSL on up it was primarily snow.

The snow was definitely soft in the afternoon and we were postholing mid-leg to waist. Iceberg Lake was frozen over and temps were near zero at night and daytime was high 30's. Up to the Notch was moderately deep and unconsolidated snow, however above the notch was mixed rock and ice.

I was up there in mid-April the year before and found completely different conditions with deep snow the entire route. I had to snowshoe a good portion of the route, even at low elevations.

Two days can be a strong push depending on snow conditions, three days is more comfortable. Rick, Richard and the other people that do it in a day blow me away, I can hardly imagine how they do it and I am in my mid 20's!!

I've parked at the at the switchback after the closure sign and have driven to the Portal. I've seen conditions on the MMWT where the end of the road was the NF and have gone all the way to Trail Camp.

Keep an eye on this board as you trip approaches. No matter what, you will have fun. I've had more fun here in the winter not getting close to the peak than I have in summer when the summit was achieved.

Bring your ice axe, crampons, trekking poles w/snow baskets and snowshoes. Most likely you will need them all.

Yeah, I remember that. Up there climbing ice in March we had to bushwhack the willows up the northfork. Sinking pretty deep in the snow above lower boyscout...

Yeah it really was nasty below LBSL last spring. I was going up there one day mid-morning alternating bushwhacking with waist deep postholing and it was 50 degrees and blazing sun. By the time I reached LBSL I felt so ill I just threw in the towel and went home.