Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Misc questions -- first attempt up Mt Whitney

We are going up the main trail in Mid July. This is our first attempt.

1. Planning on camping at Trail Camp or Consultation Lake. Is it safe to leave our packs there and go to the summit and return to Trail Camp without them?

1. The trail looks pretty barren. As there are no bathrooms, is there any place near Trail camp or beyond to relieve one's self in privacy?

2. Is camping allowed anywhere between Trail Camp and Consultation lake, or must we go all the way to the lake if we choose not to camp at trail camp? Is it worth the extra journey.

3. Most lists recommend gloves--as it ski gloves, or are just a thin layer OK.

Thanks

To answer your questions.

1. Problems with thievery...I've never lost anything in the backcountry to a thief.

2. Privacy...Yeah, there are some spots but not many. However, there are gaps between groups most of time which can be used for privacy...except during rush hour.

3. Gloves...It depends on the what temperatures are expected, I've experience single digits on the summit in August. I usually will take a lightweight gloves. However, if I plan to be on the summit at dawn I will bring an extra pair of gloves so I will have warm dry pair of gloves for my time on the summit.

There are some nice spots to camp overlooking Consultation Lake if you turn left off the main trail just before Trail Camp. Head as if you want to go down to the lake shore and voila, flat areas. I left my tent up, stashed my pack out of sight behind large rocks, and went to the summit the next morning. No problems with my stuff being messed with. The same large rocks were plenty private for me and my wag bag. It's far enough away from the main trail. Very few people there. This was early Sept. It may be different in July.

We've camped at Trail Camp almost every summer for the past 20 years, & never had anything stolen by a 2-legged creature. The only thieves are the 4-legged variety (mice/chipmunks/marmots/coyotes). Now that bear canisters are required, you shouldn't have to worry about them, either.

As for gloves, we usually take light-weight fleece/polartec gloves. They will insulate even when wet. We've sometimes used silk liners as well.

We left our tent up and put our packs inside. Left the door unzipped in case any 4 legged creatures wanted to explore. No problems. The only thing, one of our fly stakes came out of the ground (strong winds that day) and thrashed about.

Not many private places near trail camp. We made the most out of the non busy times (early in the morning)

I wore thin wind gloves and was just fine on June 10th.