Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Trip cancelled-looking for partners

Hi,
I am new to this forum. My trip to the summit, via Cottonwood Lakes, was cancelled about 45 minutes ago due to an injury that will prevent the professional guide from leading the trip. So here I am with vacation from work this week only, all packed up and nobody to hike with. I'm interested in joining any group that has openings on their permit for the summit for 2 days or longer.

Other ideas from experienced Whitney hikers are most welcome. This was one of my bucket list items that I have worked very hard preparing for, and now I'm trying to turn profound disappointment into success.

Thanks.

Sorry about the shocking news. Nonetheless, are you saying that you still want to enter the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead? Are you open to going up the main trail if you can find a group going up that way? What is your hiking/backpacking level?

where you listed on the permit - even as an alternate.
If not - ask your trip leader to advise you when he is calling in to cancel - then you can still be the first to call in and still pick up a permit for yourself and any group members not injured that also still want to climb.

VersatileFred and tomcat_rc --

Thanks for the ideas. While Cottonwood Lakes was my preference, I'm certainly in no position to be picky at this late date. My fitness level is solid, but not for a one-day summit. I wish to savor the experience just a bit. I was a very experienced backpaker in my youth, and want to get back into it in middle age. So last summer and this summer, I have signed up for organized trips -- last year through REI and this year another company. Trying to refresh my skills before going out on my own -- I realize there are more contemporary LNT practices, etc. in which I should be conversant. I do have all of my own equipment.

tomcat_rc, I have tried to reach the expedition company again this evening to ask about the permit and if any of the others still want to make the trip.

Heck, I'm even toying with the idea of driving to the Lone Pine tomorrow as planning and taking my chances getting a permit for the main trail for later this week at the ranger station. And just doing it on my own. It's not like I will actually be alone out there!

If you thought you could pull off a Whitney day hike - drive up and grab a permit. If it is not a weekend day your odds are better than 95% of getting a free next day permit. As you say there will be others on the trail and you have plenty of resources on here to make it a successful hike. Watch the weather - Tuesday and Wednesday are possible afternoon showers(monsoonal moisture rolling in)

Thanks, tomcat_rc --

Another question: If I want to go to Trail Camp on Day 1, summit on Day 2, Outpost on Day 3, then back to Whitney Portal, is it still possible to get that kind of permit? Or do they only issue on-the-spot permits for a single day?

I have a healthy dose of common sense. So I would try and summit very early in the day and, even then, if there is threat of lightning pass on the attempt.

You can call the Wilderness Permit office tomorrow and find out more about the the original permit. If you explain the circumstances to them, they may work out a way for your group to have an alternate group leader. Nonetheless, since you do not know each other, they probably would be wary of keeping your group intact.

As for getting a main trail permit, tomorrow probably would be a good day to get one. Just remember the times in Step 6 of the Wilderness Permit Options (in the feature topics). The rules are different for overnight permits than for day hike permits.

Yes. See Note 3 (and Note 4) at the bottom of the WPO. The only quotas for hikes that originate on the main trail are for the entry date. You would need to meet two quotas to enter via Cottonwood Lakes, plus you would need to arrange a shuttle.

Tiger40c,

It is worth trying to get a permit. I arrived at the Visitor Center last week on Wednesday morning at about 10:15 and they had 9 dayhike and an overnight permit for Thursday.

I highly recommend Meysan Lake if you have to wait a couple of days before you get a permit. I hiked on Friday and only saw one family of five on their way up for an overnight as I was heading down.

Gary

An overnight permit on the Main Trail is good for 14 days, you can put it together any way you wish. If you are acclimated consider a double overnight at Trail Camp. Others will recommend a double Outpost Camp if you want to minimize gear-hauling. Also, it's possible to get an overnight permit for the current day after 8AM. A simple backpack to Lone Pine Lake makes you legal ... then build your trip from there. Lots of options if you have the time ... think outside the box.

Weather is more likely to be a deterrent than lack of permit.