Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt Whitney Day Hike Newbie

Howdy everybody. Three of us are doing a day hike in late June,
just past the summer soltice. I have a lot of day hiking only experience in the Lake Tahoe/Desolation Wilderness, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Bryce, Capitol Reef and Zion National Parks. Half Dome, Angels Landing. The highest I have hike was 10.7 K (Mt Rose in Nevada). I am in my mid/late fifties, about 6-0 and 185 lbs. The other mate is 53, and a young shelia who is 20 (marathon runner). In March I was at Grand Canyon for a week, the rim is around 7K+. We plan to get there a few days in advance, and to some hiking near the trailhead. We are staying at the Hostel. I'm thinking about being on the trail around 4am w/headlamps. will filter water and bring a lot of food, GU energy gels. Any thoughts on things I have not mentioned/advice?

thanks, roger doger

I just hiked Whitney for my first time last August. I have a lot of trouble at altitude, and I feel strongly that what helped me make it was staying at the Portal campground every night for 3 nights prior. You will get tons of advice from far more seasoned folks here, but I think that the process of acclimatizing is helped far more by staying up at altitude. You should also spend some time during the preceding days in higher places than the Portal. There are a lot of choices for that in the same vicinity. Good luck!

Jeff

I did my first Whitney hike last August at the age of 65. I spent the night before the hike at the Portal Campground and 3 nights before that in Yosemite's high country one of which was at the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp at 10,200'. Although it was probably the most physically taxing day I have ever experienced, I didn't have any problems with the altitude. So I strongly endorse spending time at altitude.

You also may want to consider an earlier start. Its a long hike and you might find it takes a little longer than you planned on. You may also have some snow to negotiate in late June particularly around the cables. Last year I started at about 2:45 and there were others I met along the trail who started earlier than that.

Good luck. Its a great experience.

June 21, 2009 in a "low snow year" there was ICE at the cables. some crossed with crampons, some with ice axes, some with neither. i used both 'pons & axe that day at the cables, the family behind me did not. (plus looked how we're dressed. i was comfortable, they were cold.) assess your skill and know your limitations. i didn't hear of any falls that particular day, but there were some that month.


a look at the upper switchbacks that day


there will be more snow this year on the main trail for a longer period of time. watch the boards for conditions and go prepared!

When I glanced at your post, it read like this:



(So, yes. Even in June you should be ready to keep your ass warm.)

LOL AxeMan! but to put it mildly, that family greatly concerned us. the mom was a bit apprehensive and we were relieved to see them on the way down, having made it safely back past the cables.

Thanks for the crampons tip. In mid-March their was ice at
some of the South Rim trails at Grand Canyon for the first mile or so. I had some cheap Yaktracks that helped. I may need someting a bit heavier. I also plan to dress in layers. Being cold that high up could be very serious.

Norma R,

My guess is the family behind you thought what you were doing was overkill since I'm sure they made it back without incidence. Just because a trail is beaten in to the ice and snow doesn't make these areas safe. I have had to self arrest falls on "safe" beaten in trails.

Cold can be an issue any month...I was on the summit in May and it was 30* F warmer than trips in August and September.

wbtravis5152,

yes, they probably thought it was overkill, i won't tell you what we nicknamed them several groups turned-around at the cables that day when they saw the ice (my photos don't do it justice.) i felt bad seeing how disappointed they were but relieved to know they were making the right decision. as we all know hiking DOWN a steep slippery slope is harder than hiking up. that slope is no place to fall. without an axe and knowing how to self-arrest, stopping is very unlikely.

July 4:


I put my yak trax on going down, it was icy. That was last year and I was also there late May - and there is more snow this year (if I am not mistaken).

And... I remember that dreadful Ice Hole at the end of the cables. My first ever trip across the cables and that ice hole really freaked me (and my Marine buddy) out. Bob R and Richard P posted great stuff late spring last year. Check that out before you go...Their photos are a wealth of information. AND someone fell at the upper switchback. She was really lucky.

We all make mistakes from time to time. The worst mistake you can make this time of year is to go higher than you can safely descend. It's always the down that gets you.

That was a fun hike, Norma, and I remember getting a wicked sunburn as it was a bluebird day on lots of snow.

Am glad you posted that picture showing what late June can be along the switchbacks, as there's an upcoming "geezer" hike planned for June 23rd.

.

Am glad you posted that picture showing what late June can be along the switchbacks, as there's an upcoming "geezer" hike planned for June 23rd. [/quote]

So what age group are the Geezers?

roger