Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Beginner Peaks?

After months of planning, training, and constant local hiking & backpacking in the bay area, 3 days before departure, my Whitney ascent ended with a sudden email informing me my climbing partner would not up to coming out to California to meet me at the mountain after all.

I'm sitting here now on flat land with a week of vacation time already claimed and an itch to use the crampons and ice axe I purchased. I have no mountaineering experience (alpine hiking & rock climbing though) so even setting foot on Whitney solo seems dangerous/stupid. From what I hear it's probably going to be there next year anyway

I've done my homework though and I feel as though the next step is to start practicing crampon technique and ice-axe self arrest in the mountains. The plan was to take a low pressure climb up Whitney and turn around once things got dicey. I've turned around high on mountains before, so I know I can keep my wits about me and recognize signs of danger.

My question is this: With all the snow still lingering on the Sierra's what California mountains might be good practice (and preferably rewarding as well) for a novice climber from the SF Bay Area to attempt to climb with another uber-novice climber or possibly even solo right now? My first thought would be Mt. Dana if Tioga opens up, or Mt. Langley.

Any advice would truly be appreciated.

P.S. Also feel free to check out my hiking/backpacking blog: http://www.backcountrybliss.net. I have a photo giveaway going right now.

Cbear
I know how you feel. My partner got married, had a kid, got divorced, and is now working to earn support $$$. I just went mtn climbing anyway. No other choice.

Its a scary step to go into the mtns alone. Lots of folks on tne
trails, but on the granite ridges its just us against gravity.

Lots of us have discovered
the joy and terror of SOLO climbing but always would have liked to have a friend along. If only to commiserate
about how frozen our toes felt.

Lacrosse

I'd say don't give up on your Whitney trip, Cbear. While climbing with a partner is more fun (and safer), if conditions are anything like they were this past weekend, you should be fine on your own, especially if you go in with a more modest goal -- say, reaching Trail Crest -- than that of reaching the summit first time out. That's what I did this past weekend. And while I did have a (young) partner for the climb to Trail Camp, I was on my own for the round-trip up to Trail Crest. There were so many people on the chute, however, that even then I really wasn't on my own. If you care to read more, I *just* posted a report on my trip and a link to a few photos. Either way, have fun with your "winter" climb, wherever that may be.

Cbear,

There is no peak in the Sierra that I would in good conscience recommend right now as a solo snow climb for someone with absolutely no experience.

That said, don't give up on your Whitney goal. Hire a guide! I've worked with Sierra Mountain Guides and Sierra Mountaineering International, and I highly recommend the experience. Give it a try.

Andy

I say stick with your Mt. Whitney plan. You are not really alone there, you can meet lots of people on the mtn. Hike to Trail camp and practice self arrest on the lower slopes between Trail Camp and Trail Crest and decide what is right for you after that. It's an awesome place to be.

Hey Cbear,

I wouldn't give up on your Whitney trip as others have said there is still lots to do and many great people to meet. However, if you are in the Socal area (Huntingtton Beach) myself and a few of my friends got back from Ediza lake and the Ritter area Monday and plan on doing either Gorgonio or San Jacinto in the next couple of weeks. Not sure when your vacation is but if in the area let me know and you can join us.

Regards,

Keith

GO FOR (WH)IT!

Have fun

Okay, I think I'm going to give it a shot! Trail Crest seems a worthy goal since hiring a guide is out of my financial capabilities.

I have however found tips on getting started climbing somewhat lacking on the internet. Are there other routes that novice climbers (maybe not solo) should consider as building block mountains? I realize of course that all peaks are inherently dangerous and caution should always be exercised, but there must be certain slopes which lend themselves well to practicing technique while minimizing the dangers.

With all that said since I do have room on my permit, if anyone is interested in going up Sunday (6th) - Monday (7th) feel free to shoot me an email: chris@backcountrybliss.net.

Go cbear!

You guys convinced me, I went and I had a blast. I was able to link up with other groups and solo hikers most of the time but ended up on the chute by myself. Thats about when the altitude, and the realization I had no idea really what I was doing hit me and I turned around.

Fantastic trip!

Trip Report here: http://www.backcountrybliss.net/2010/06/mt-whitney-main-trail-inyo-national.html

Glad to hear you used sound judgment and had fun.

Your time will come, cbear, your time will come...