Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board First Time on mtn- what to expect/ideas?

So, I'm 40 and in pretty good shape. I mtn bike several times a week. I decided to just come up to Whitney, and do the whitney trail to the top (2 days), in mid-April. For someone who's in decent shape, and pretty athletic, is there anything really to take into account, beyond having a the usual tent, bag....food/water? I'd probably want to either camp at the trail head the first night, then get an early start. Is that reasonable, or is it crowded? I wasn't really planning on ice axe or even crampons.....I mean, it's the "easy" rout and mid-April. Do I have the wrong idea?

Thanks in advance.

Max,
See Picture: http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/

You will get lots of advice soon.

I believe you do have the wrong impression of this "trail"... if you are not prepared for the worst, you will be a statistic...

Wowsers. I climbed it for the first time last year- in the summer- and it was hard for me. Even with perfect weather. Are you ready for the altitude? I would say that the altitude was the biggest factor for me, and I trained from February to late August for it. Mix in winter conditions, and...wow.

You are mad Max! It won't be crowded in April. That's a bad thing as no one is likely to hear your screams as you slide off the cables or switchbacks. Ice Axe skills will be necessary for you to survive this. You will need 4 season equipment and great route finding skills and the ability to do an emergency bivouac at below 0 temps. Did you not hear what happened last week on Shasta to a very experienced mountaineer? Took the pros 4 days to get up there to retrieve the body with a chopper.

Relax. Read the forums - lots of great info here. We haven't even talked permits yet. That may be harder than surviving a night at sub-zero temps. If you can't wait consider hiring a guide for the mountaineers route for April. Do not attempt this solo at this time of the year! You could be in awesome shape but coming from sea level and hiking without acclimitizing is a challenge even in July and August.

P.S. Portal road isn't open yet. Thing called snow in spring in the Sierra.

Assuming you are not a troll:

Different people have different abilities and attitudes and you will probably be getting a lot of "oh-man-you-are-gonna-die" type responses. I know people in their twenties who appear to be in a good shape who train for months before they attempt to get up the hill via hikers trail and they would do it in a multi day manner with multiple base camps, acclimatization trips and help of sherpas carrying the loads (ok ... just kidding about sherpas). My last Whitney trip was in March. We parked at portal road 9 miles past Long Pine, started at 2 am, summited via MR around 11 and were back to the car at 7 pm (17 hours ca-to-car). As were were getting close to the summit, a 47 year old man caught up with us. He started at the same spot at 4 am and returned to his car before us. Although we were not trying to establish a personal speed record and even took two naps on the way up and down, his pace was pretty respectful.

What you might want to seriously consider is that getting up in winter/spring conditions is different from summer, even of you choose to take the (easiest) hikers trail. Trail finding difficulties, avalanche hazards and rapidly changing weather conditions are real. Expect the upper sections of trail to be covered by snow. Some sections may be icy, especially in the morning, so crampons is a good idea. Replenishing water supply up high will require snow melting. If all these challenges sound new to you, consider teaming up with a person who has some experience.

Good luck!

Max, as Mike said, you'll get feedback from the Ice Beasts soon enough, but just be aware that one very experienced mountaineer died on this "easy" trail just a few months ago with probably nowhere near the ice you'll encounter in mid-April and wearing only micro-spikes. I've not been up Whitney in winter conditions (and that's what April still is up high - winter conditions), but I've read enough accounts on this board to know that the 97 switchbacks, beginning at 12,000 feet, are not negotiable most of the time, and the only accessible route to Trail Crest is up a 1600-foot chute. I would think ice gear is an absolute necessity to avoid being another statistic.

Most importantly, research the trail and mountain and know what you're getting yourself into. Bottom line, the Main Mount Whitney Trail is not really a typical "trail" other than the summer months. Also, be sure to heed the advice you're surely going to get on this board from the winter climbers - they know this mountain better than anyone. If you try 'er, be safe and have fun.

It's not crowded because it is a VERY DANGEROUS time of year.


Max, For the sake of you and your loved ones, please reconsider your attempt.

Thanks for the response so far. I know I was a bit flip about the plan....but I'm asking for advice, because I'm serious about it, and want to be sure this is something that is doable. So, I'm saying that I'm not as flip as I've come off as being. r

At the end of the day, if it get too tough, I'd of course turn back rather than die. I guess my only real concerns are 1- large sections of solid ice, requiring axe skills (I have none). And 2- not being able to find the trail (I sort of envisioned the "hikes' trail" to be sort of obvious, like a fire-road or something...looks like I'm way off on that one?)

Well, keep the advice coming. On the "hikers Trail"....assuming good weather, what's gonna kill me?

If you slip, your gone.

Avalanche (considering that it has been kind of warm, the recent snow will highten the chances), your gone.

Just because "people climb" Mt. Whitney all the time, this really isn't the time to trying it for a first attempt.

this has to be a joke. Nobody without an ice ax and the skill required to use one would try to summit, The "trail will be covered in steep snow and ice from trail crest on... assuming you make it that far. Just be happy to be up there and make Consultation lake your goal. Any farther would be crazy. I see you live in pasadena, so I would assume you have at least climbed the bowl at Baldy when it is solid ice and the wind is whipping. I can only assume your month is wrong and you want to go in September. [url=flickr.com/photos/snowshoedave]Whitney last May Via main trail[/url] If you look through here you will see pics of the conditions last May. I use this for my kids there is no album sorry.

Good luck
Ashley

amax-- if that was march 20, I'm probably the 47 year old you met on the way to the notch.

Re: original post, if he's not trolling he should get some training and experience in winter mountaineering before attempting this. I know some call the main trail the "cattle route", but that is in summer when it is all melted out and the hordes have descended upon it en masse.

August last year - perfect weather, no snow, no ice. About 11,500 feet, above Trailside Meadow and still well below Trail Camp. Do you see a trail? Now add snow and ice . . .

Wow, okay that sums it up. Add a little snow and I expect that's for experienced only. Yea, keeping the trail will be next to impossible for someone with no experience on that mountain. But, wouldn't the footprints be a bit obvious, in the snow (assuming no NEW snow)?

sierragator,

it was a pleasure meeting you - hope you enjoyed the rest of the day.
hope to see you up there again ... we are planning to open the "summer"
trad season in two weeks:)

This has got to be a ruse.

Get the book "How to Climb Mount Whitney in One Day" by Sharon Baker-Salony, it was very informative for my first time. Do as many long prehikes as possible. Read older forums they have lots of info about the dangers of not being prepared.

"First TIme on mtn -- what to expect/ideas?"

Footprint "Navigation", No ice axe, no crampons...no clue = No Fun (best case scenario)*





*( you do not want to hear worst case scenario from someone who works in a Mortuary and recognizes someone on a fool's errand....or at least an April Fool )

I missed the part where you were going to try your first attempt in April with no ice experience. With all due respect I suggest you try for a summer permit. Even in the summer you can deal with quickly changing weather. Read the forums the seasoned hikers are sharing this info to save lives!

You're not ready. go up with someone else somewhere around Aug/Sept. Again, with someone else.