Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board MWMT Trip Report 06/04-06/06

Our group of 9 left the Portal around noon on Wednesday. 6 of us reached Trail Camp around 6pm. The wind had calmed down and it was calm all night. Overnight lows were around 25 degrees.
There are patches of snow between Outpost and Trail Camp, but nothing that requires crampons. There is however one traverse just before Trail Camp that requires careful maneuvering.
Trail Camp is snow free and the lake is largely ice free.
Past Trail Camp it's all snow. The switchbacks are largely covered in snow and ice. Around switchback 15 most hikers traverse the snow field and head towards the the snow chute. We hiked up to the cables. Most of us turned around glissading down the slope, while 2 guys continued up the switchback which very few hikers have done since the Memorial Weekend storm.
The chute is the way to go. We have met hikers that have summited without crampons, but it is very foolish to attempt anything past trail cramp without them. The Snow is very soft and melting quickly.

photos at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mountwhitney2008/MWMT0604

A big "thank you" to Doug and the Portal crew for all the help!! I already miss those pancakes!

Thanks for the report and the pictures.

Hello mahu1982 and group!

I am the guy that took that first picture of your group when you started. You probably wondered why you didn't see me.
I started up at midnight on Thursday 6/5 and arrived at Trail camp at 5 am. It was quite an adventure to negotiate the snow covered switchbacks in the dark. With two other trips up Whitney in the past and careful route finding everything went well. I looked for your camp at Trail Camp.. but it seemed to be completely deserted. Such a contrast to the last two August climbs that I had made.

There also were no others trying to negotiate that trail in the early morning hours whereas usually you have whole groups passing you on the way up.

I examined the switchbacks and the conditions and decided not to ascend. It looked to be too warm to have solid snow.

Maybe we'll meet again somtime!

Mike

Thanks. I was looking for a report on the conditions above Trail Camp.

What did the 2 guys who continuted up the switchbacks encounter?

JD

According to my two friends who continued past the cables, the switchbacks were quite variable. Some of them were completely covered in snow and ice, while others were largely snow free. Especially directly past the cables the trail was nonexistent. Also the last switchback towards trail crest has some higher drop-offs and there haven't been enough people up there to leave a descent trail.
Photos here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mountwhitney2008/MountWhitney/photo#5209288237856993106
http://picasaweb.google.com/mountwhitney2008/MountWhitney/photo#5209288306186423442
http://picasaweb.google.com/mountwhitney2008/MountWhitney/photo#5209291000377755794

I'll try to do a TR later, but I reached the summit on 6/7. I had no winter gear so I used the switchbacks. I spoke with several rangers and hikers before attempting and received mixed opinions. Most people told me not to do it without crampons and an ice axe. However, this is strictly an opinion and I made it without any issues. I felt safe without the winter gear and there were only several sections that brought about feelings of self preservation. The exposure on the last switchback was the worst. Early in the morning this switchback was fine because the snow was hard and iced over. On the way down it was a little trickier since it was melting and very slippery. As always, if you don't feel comfortable with the trail conditions, follow your gut feeling and turn around. About halfway up the switchbacks, most of the trail was covered or partially covered in snow. Good luck.

It was great meeting you at the Portal Store after your hike. Helene and I had a great time talking with you guys and getting feedback on the trail. Sorry we didn't get the chance to let you know how our hike went before we left for home. We ended up deciding not to proceed up the chute given the slushy snow conditions and how easily it could give way underfoot. I'll post a TR later. Again, great meeting all of you!

I was wondering if you guys had made it. yeah, the slush did not allow for good footing. I am actually REALLY tempted to go back middle of next week for another attempt, a day hike this time. If the snow melts sufficiently to allow usage of the switchbacks I might give it a shot Wednesday/Thursday next week.

I would be interested in continued updates on summit attempts between now and June 21st... main trail.. switchback conditions, and need for crampons...thanks for all the great info.

if I am going next week, I'll definitely post trip report and more photos/video. For now, this is how the switchbacks/cables looked late last week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnUoolapBrc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tS8nabw9-g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olIQw8xNb_E