Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Thigh, Knee or ankle deep?

Anyone been up the mountaineers route lately? I heard that it was melting out a bit below lower boyscout? Above lower boyscout, crusty enough for crampons or boots, or still snowshoes most of the way?
I'm just trying to determine if it is going to be a one or two candybar day : )

thanks

My trip is now 7 days old, but I think Whitney could very easily be done as a 1 day trip. The conditions you allude to, crusty or soft, then soft and firm and then very firm, are as it was last week. Boots or crampons to start up to LBSL (if early), then snowshoes, and finally back to crampons to the summit. Reverse for the descent. My guess would be 12 hours or under for the trip. Did the area get the predicted 7 to 12 inches of snow over the weekend? That might change things.
If you do the trip in 1 day, post some report. If I do Whitney next year around this time I would prefer to do it in 1 day. I have really enjoyed my 2 backpacking trips into the NF, but carrying a pack up there is getting old.

There is a snow depth device at Cottonwood Lakes, which I think is the closest indicator of changes in the area. Per its readings there was a good snowfall last weekend, but it looks as if it's almost returned to the baseline prior to the storm at this point. There a pretty significant wind blowing through here today, which I would hope to firm things up a bit, but could also cause more drifting and slab formation from any remnants.

I'd bring two candy bars. (But I have big legs to feed!! )

I'd call it a dusting on the Main Trail side. Slightly less than 13 hours car-to-car. Not bad for someone still carrying an extra 15 pounds, or so, in the beer belly.

Side note: got a photo of your summit signature.

Below 10K, I was dropping in a little above the knee in the afternoon. Boot deep earlier in the day at all elevations and a few to knee deep.

Yup, that was me and the other fellow to sign in from the group was Justin Honda. The person 3 down from me who was from San Diego, Russell, spent the night up there. I understand from talking to him on SP that it was not a pleasant night for him. I believe he kept hyperventilating as he would fall asleep. From looking at the registry its been quite busy up there.