Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mark Your Calendar...

Ok lets talk shop.. Will I need crampons or will my micro spikes work just fine? I will get an ice ax (need one anyway)

The site says no water source, is that correct? If no water then we need to carry all.

So no permits needed except for camp fire. R we getting one?

What time are you guys going to be up there? I have a Dodge Durango that is 4x4. We will be bring it.

We could meet you guys in Lone Pine and then head over?

How many are going on this hike?

Just brain storming!!

YO MC! I have the entire Christmas week off. When Christmas get's closer let's put it on the books. Let's shoot for between Monday and Wednesday of Christmas week. I'll keep the bowl warm in the mean time. I've been trying to keep up with Master Shin on his Baldy summits.....

Mighty Mouse, I would get the crampons,may not need um but cant have enough cool climbing gear I cant leave SD any earler than 12:30 so that puts me in LP at 5:00 ish will you guys be gone or will I need a trail of bread crumbs?

Mouse:

1) Unless it snows again in the next week, you may be able to do this hike in trial runners. While there was a little snow, it could easily be avoided either on rock or on the sandy-use trail. If you want to walk the snow, your spikes would be fine (i had on my light boots, carried an axe/crampons that I never used). An axe would be overkill: there isn't enough snow on which to arrest.

2) There is running water in the area, but it is also a highly grazed cow and wild horse area, so I wouldn't vouch for quality. If you must get water from the springs, I would filter for sure.

3) The road is passable with a 2WD passenger car if there is no snow or moisture on the road. About 13 miles in there is a section of red-clay-like soil that becomes slicker 'n pig snot when wet. The TOF was able to get all the way to the trailhead with no issues. Sean's Celica made it to within .5 miles before he got worried about rocks.

My pics from the 24th are here.

Have fun!

-L

HI Planning details ;last time we drove from Bishop the morning of the hike If I recall is was about 2 hours , so the camp at the trailhead gets a jump on the hike. I think the elevation gain is near what we did on Thor and somewhat the same distance maybe a mile longer .The wind is a major factor we will be going up the East ridge but once around the corner to the Summit the wind may be very strong but we should read that the few days before the hike. water I think some gallon bottles and share filling before the start, two quarts each should be enough and the standard beg if you run out works.

Same speed on the hike as Thor just a very slow steady walk, I would like to see Mike give some GPS talks along the way and plot the trip out after we return , he did this for another trip and it shows how to join the map and GPS together . This route has some scree and we will be able to show some different styles going up and down and pole work and knee locking tricks.

The road into the trailhead is marked on the Nevada Hwy as Trail Canyon it is straight for several miles as it heads in the canyon and gains elevation, one right turn maybe halfway up the canyon it is a old mine road and the turn takes you towards that old mine.Another Road junction near the trailhead and that one you also turn right, best way to drive this road is follow the main path it seems to lead you to the trailhead . You can follow this road on google earth. I will get some road numbers and milage to the turns before the hike.


I will also check on a fire permit and camping

Thanks Doug

Following in Tom's footsteps:

Here's the list of people onboard so far:

Doug Sr.
Richard
Mike
Ava
Carole
Arthur
Kristine

Tom and Lisa are a maybe so far. I haven't heard confirmation back from them yet.

That's 7 of us (confirmed) so far.

I've got a lot of extra gear that I can loan out, but I doubt we'll need any for this trip.

Sounds like it's going to be another great trip, with some pretty interesting stuff going on besides.

Darn…. I sure wish I could just jaunt back down again! Other than flying down for occasional weekend family visits, I won't be headed south with any additional time ‘til next summer.

Have a great time, everyone, and I’ll look forward to seeing the reports and pics.

Rosie

Not sure what time we will get in but I can PM you my number and we can talk on Friday to see where we both are..

Hi Moose,

Thanks for all the info. I think I will hold off on the crampons. I want to look around some more. I will just use the spikes.
As for water, I think I will just carry extra. I drink a lot and hate to beg..
Laura great pictures as always.

Just a heads up...

If you plan on climbing over to Montgomery Peak, I would suggest bringing crampons and ice axe just in case. It would suck to get part way across and then find out you need them.

On the books. I'll keep Monday - Wednesday open. Compared to your 'speed ascents', this will be a nice, scenic, leisurely stroll... Keep the bowl warm.

o.k. back to your regularly scheduled program (Topic)...

Richard:

Three of us from Reno may drive down and join you.

The Dirty Dozen?

Just Vic, Chan, and I. Vic has the distinction of having climbed the Whitney MR in the winter, alone, at night, just a few months after having a heart attack. Chan is probably the only Nevada native who has climbed Denali and the California 14ers but never got around to doing Boundary.

Richrd,Dirty Dozen cool movie however looks like the group will have to be Ocean's eleven. I guess my wife and kids want me to be at my birthday party you guys n Gals have fun climb safe. Arthur

Arthur, didn't you tell them it's a mandatory make-up climb?

Seriously, I can understand the family wanting you around to celebrate the B-day.

BTW: those sticking around for Sunday, cast your vote for what you want to do. Two obvious choices: we can head up into the snow, or do some rock climbing in the Alabama Hills. (Mike has been asking to do the Sharks Fin, so he can get himself in one of those classic "Whitney in the background" photos.)

I will have to find out from my partner in crime to see how late we can stay on Sunday. As long as I'm home sometime Sunday night to go to work on Monday I'm game..

Milage.... on 395 to Bishop North end of town take HWY 6 towards Benton / Laws travel 58.5 miles to Nevada State Route 264 turn right and head for Fishlake Valley, 8.0 miles you will see a paved road on the left this is Nevada 773 pass this road and 1000' turn right on dirt road signed Trail Canyon (small sign close to the ground ) follow this dirt road to the trailhead. Thanks Doug We could hang out at this point if any concern about the dirt road or carpool from Bishop???

Where do you draw the line between hiking and complete obsessive/destructive behavior?

Hi Nice walk from Salt Lake to La several times, 8-9 times from Vegas to LA, LA to The Nevada border up Owens Valley. Several thousand miles in San Jaquin Valley. Now I worked with a guy that would walk after work and do the rim to rim to rim around 15 hours. I guess its what your background for reference is? Oh I just changed the 4 rear tires on the truck so I wouldn't have to wait for the tire installer . Back on the road Takin it easy the rest of the day been up since 4 you know old habits hard to change. Thanks Doug