Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board First time Whitney Hiker

Four of us have day hike permit to Mount Whitney this coming Sunday (8/23/09). One of us has summited Whitney about 6 times but three of us are fist timer. We have done many practice hikes in Sierra. October 4, 2008 we had a permit but couldn’t go because of the first real snow storm of the season on the hike day. Now, this Sunday there are 40% chances of showers/snow and thunderstorm. Showers/snow we can deal with but I am not sure about the thunderstorm. Can any one suggest us if it is worth driving 5-6 hours (one way) with this kind of weather forecast at the summit. Appreciate your help.

Thanks.

K.Duran

Keep an eye on the forecast. But be aware that the odds of avoiding bad weather are usually much better earlier in the day. Those who summit well before noon have a much better chance of being safely on their way back down before the nasty weather hits.

Keep watching the weather reports (I would do it every 8 hrs, so I could get a "trend" in my head). Then you will have a better idea if you are going to actually embark on the trail that AM.

Of course you should go to Lone Pine no matter what. If MWT looks bad, there are many many more hikes you could replace it with. The thunderstorms may be isolated and you could go to Langley. Or head north and do White Mtn (across the valley, should be very differant weather...)

Go or not? There is a famous British mountaineering quote that goes something like this ....

to know if a mountaineering route will "go" one must first go rub one' nose in it.

also: nothing venture, nothing win (an Edmund Hillary title, too)

I was just at the Portal about an hour ago (feasting on my long-awaited Thompson-burger, which I couldn't stomach the thought of after my hike yesterday), and several people were clustered around a Ranger asking the same question. His advice was to keep an eye on the weather forecast, remember that most storms roll through in the afternoon and, most importantly, if you decide to make the attempt start the hike no later than midnight, not 3:00, to ensure you're off the summit and ridge before 11 am.

Based on what I saw, several people didn't like that idea and will probably stick to their original plans. Me, I'd take to heart what a Whitney Zone Ranger has to say . . .

I would suggest that is good advise. If you worry about afternoon storms - plan to start for the summit at 2am instead of 5am - that should put you on the summit well before 11am.

Start as early as possible.

The problem with the Main Trail is the further you go up the harder it is to determine weather coming from the west.

Once you are at Trail Crest, it is easy to determine whether or not you should go to the summit.

A personal experience, We got to Trail Camp mid-morning, the conditions were overcast but clear. Within 15 minutes, you could not see the Sierra Crest and 10 minutes later the wind was howling at about 30 MPH. We knew enough to head east rather than continue west. We were in blizzard conditions by the time we reached Trailside Meadow. Just a normal Sierra day.

Hmm this was a question I had too. I summited Whitney for the first time last year mid Sept but this year am making the attempt the weekend of Aug 28th. Whats a good weather station to study the forecasts from?

EDIT- After reading this thread I will start at 12-1am Saturday morning instead of 3 am like I had originally intended

latest weather states 40% chance of a thunder shower

to me that means 60 % nice weather

start early

WE DID IT. After 12 hours of grueling work we reached to Whitney summit and back on 8/23/09. It rained the whole time the night before at the portal. One of us thought it was a bad idea to even try it because of the weather but after two hours of discussion we decided to keep an eye on the weather and all of us left at 4 am. We kept on going and the weather was getting better and better. By the time we reach to the summit it was a bright and beautiful sunny day. It was an amazing view that I will never forget. Thanks to all of you for encouraging words and fantastic advise to at least try it and that's what we did and we lucked out.

Congratulations! And thanks for the report.

Was there any new snow at the summit?

How did people do who where camped the night before at Trail Camp?

Yes there was fresh snow but it was melting when we were at the summit. I think all people at the portal camp site made an attempt but unfortuantly not all of them made it to the top.