Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Spring 2010 Conditions on the Main Whitney Trail

You're one guy will not need crampons from Portal to Trail Camp. Depending on ice/snow conditions very helpful from a function and safety standpoint especially on the west side from Trail Crest to Summit.

My son and I made the one day trip to the summit on June 2nd via the Main Trail, and really only needed crampons to go up the chute from Trail Camp to Trail Crest.

Caution...postholing in the afternoon was epic!!!!

Have a safe trip.

We will be there this coming monday and heading up the trail on the Tuesday morning. We lost three of our members so it is now a party of two. We are now planning on camping out at Trail camp on the First night then decide if we will do the summit or not. Might see you up there.

We lost our trip leader last minute, but will just keep to the trail and keep it safe.

J.

Yesterday was significantly warmer than preceding weeks, and it's forecast to continue through the Monday. In addition to the joyful travel conditions, there is an increased risk of wet snow slides. Yesterday saw a couple dozen such slides in the Main Trail area, including what looked from a distance like two that originated in the rocks just left of Trail Crest, and ran some distance down the slope that hikers were using. These slides are originating in steep rocky areas above gullies and snow slopes. The ones I saw up close had entrained a fair bit of rock, and the debris fields consisted of rock mixed with big (up to ~2 feet in diameter) balls of snow-- definitely enough to do some damage if you're caught unawares. Up to the slope that leads to Trail Crest, the Main Trail is placed out of the danger zone. But many people were taking an alternate route above Lone Pine Lake that traverses beneath Candlelight/Mt. Irvine on the south side of the canyon. This path was raked with two slides some time yesterday afternoon. It's probably worth paying attention to what's above you the next few days.

Thanks very much for the weather and condition update.

We will keep out wits about us. I think for this trip out if we make it to the Trail Crest area and have a look around this will be a good first outing.

J.

We are hopefully doing a one-day ascent on 6/25 - weather permitting of course. In thinking about gear, has anybody used YakTraks that attach to your hiking shoes - they are sort of like snow chains for tires. No spikes like crampons. If you have used them, are they sufficient?

I'm heading up the main trail (1st timer) on Thurs - Friday. Can I get some feedback on dry camp sites at Trail Camp? Is the Outpost Camp the only other option? Thx much. I enjoyed reading all the previous posts!

I went by Trail Camp on my way up on June 5th, and there seemed to be plenty of dry places to camp on some rocks above the snow.

I camped at Trail Camp one week ago. At the time there was ample space off the snow to camp. Given the warm temperatures and rapid snow melt there is probably even more space now.

One thing to note about Trail Camp. The marmots are a real pain. These things are really smart and resourceful, and they tend to come out a few hours after sunrise, usually when the camp has been nearly vacated by those heading to the summit. They will steal anything they possibly can. If you leave your packs and gear outside your tent, assume they will be moved, chewed through, or stolen. I didn't end up going to the summit because I was feeling some ill effects of altitude sickness, and I spent the entire morning fending these things off. My suggestion is to put all your food in a bear canister and leave it away from your tent. I also say you should put all your packs and equipment inside your tent and seal it. I have read they will chew through your tent, but I didn't observe any of that at camp.

Good luck to all!

shank's mare

check this out. please. comments appreciated