Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Climbing or Hiking?

What is the difference between climbing and hiking? Example - We hiked the 22 miles of the main Mt. Whitney Trail. Is that hiking or climbing?
Los Dos Nuezes

Climbing is rated class 1 to class 6. The trail is class 1, simple hiking. The MR is class 3. Serious rock climbing, with ropes and hardware, is class 5.

For one day climbs, permits are necessary, but they may not be hard to get, off-season and mid-week. An advanced reservation costs $3? per person, at last I checked. It may be more now.

The way this winter is going, you might not need any special equipment depending what time of year you're doing this. After July the snow may be all gone, this year. And, if there is still some snow, on a warm day, crampons might not be needed. You can often kick steps, and use just an ice axe.

Of course, if one has acrophobia, some may wish a rope, but then they shouldn't be up there in that case.

Check back on this message board--there are plenty of links to photos to show you what the route looks like, and it isn't a real big deal. Many people do it.

Good luck!

I think often hikes such as the Mt. Whitney trail are referred to as "climbs" not because they require negotiating any technial terrain or any of the motions we'd typically consider climbing, but rather because they require very large gains in elevation at altitudes where many other mountaineering skills are required.

For example, on the Whitney trail, one must be familiar with the prevention, recognition, and treatment of altitude disorders. One must also understand the dangers posed by the weather at high altitudes, and know the danger signs that warrant a change in plans. The Whitney trail also involves seasonal factors that might require more than just basic hiking skills, like crossing snow fields, negotiating small but unstable rock slides that sometimes cross the trail, and route finding when part of the trail is covered by snow or debris.

While the Whitney trail is technically just a hike (I like to refer to it as the Mule Trail), I think those who prepare for it and treat it mentally more like a climb are more likely to enjoy a safe and successful summit experience!

Simply stated, it's a climb if you have to use your hands for more than just balance.

After the snow is gone the Main Trail is just a very long hike.

Bill