Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board SoCal Prep for MR

I've been reading quite a few thoughts about using the southern California trifecta (Baldy, San Gorgonio, San Jacinto) as prep for Whitney, all of which are helpful. I'm assuming most people think of them as prep for the trail from Whitney Portal. Any thoughts on how good they are as conditioning hikes for the Mountaineer Route? We've done all three lately with good results, no problems with altitude or fatique.

Also, I spoke to an employee at REI yesterday about doing MR in a day. He said he's done it twice as overnighters and was dubious about doing it dawn to dark. However, it seems I've read too many posts here from people who've done it as a dayhike, so I pretty much took his opinion lightly, but I just wanted to confirm what I've heard here.

The MR can be done as an overnighter or a day hike. It can be a little difficult to know where you are going if you haven't been there before and it is dark. However, with a start just before daybreak you usually have enough daylight to finish. I wouldn't want to come down between LBSL and the Ebersbacher ledges in the dark. If it gets late you can always walk down the trail. This will be true until they change the rules.

I don't train any different to get ready for any hike near Whitney, on trail or off. I don't see the altitude and fatique being much different between the two. The MR is steeper so you take smaller steps and go slower, in comparison to walking up the regular trail with a bigger stride. Thus the time to the top may be similar between the two. I think it is more reasonable to say you will make average progress of 1000 feet per hour, unless your pace is just naturally faster and stronger. There is time to do the MR during the daylight hours. You must get an early start. If it gets late and you are summiting after say 2:30 - 3:00 pm just come down the trail. Coming down the MR after dark,.... it can be real hard to know where you are going.

I've read many posts about dayhiking the MR and I think it can be done in a day since the mileage is much less than the trail. I would suggest leaving before dawn and make sure you are hydrated and take a water filter. I think the people at REI can be weird when it comes to a whitney trip. I trust this board more than an experienced employee at REI.

Matt in socal.

my speed is what i consider fair - not fast and not slow. time from portal to east face lake is usually 4-41/2 hours. From there after a light meal, tank up, and recharge - it is up the chute we go - this is the part that can drain you. Others can make it to the top in 2 hours from here - but it usually takes me closer to 3. I generally do not want to be headed down MR any later than 2pm - allowing me plenty of time to get through the ledges before it gets dark. You could plan to start around 5am and do in one day with out much trouble. Just be prepared for the steep uphill grind of the chute.

You might consider what I am planning on doing...A dayhike ascent of the MR and then come down the main trail and grab Keeler Needle and/or Mt Muir. There is no permit required for this dayhike. I asked the rangers in Lone Pine.

Yes, we're considering doing it that way. I've never been on the trail and would like to check it out. I guess it depends on how we feel once we're up there, the weather, etc., etc.

I've done the MR many times, but only once as a day hike. It is tricky to find the 'trail' (and I use this terms in quotes becuse it really isn't a trail, but a general route throught the area with many different paths that can be taken) in the dark if you've never been there before. I wouls start before dawn, but would recommend some daylight for finding/climbing the Ebersbacher ledges. You should buy Doug's book for a route description and read the many good descriptions on this board. If you decide to come back down the MR, I would strongly recommend timing it so that you are off the Ebersbacher ledges before dark.