Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Main Trail Conditions Update

I am scheduled to do the main Whitney Trail on 6-30-10. I have read previous posts on conditions. If anyone does the Trail this weekend, I will be very interested in hearing about the trail conditions. The comments, info and recommendations are appreciated. I am especially interested in knowing if it is necessary to go up the chute or if it is possible to use the switchbacks. thank you.

This week's trip reports seem to be fairly thin. I'm headed up Friday, will definitely post my observations... probably Sunday.

I'd really like to hear about it, since I'm scheduled for Sunday one-day via the main trail.

It's unlikely they'll change much from BobR's post "Mt. Whitney trail, June 22 - 23". I was on the mountain yesterday with Bob as part of the "geezer hike", and agree with his descriptions.

I doubt the snow field will change much between now and then as it still has deep cover, and the route up it from Trail Camp is obvious. As his thread points out:

"I think the switchbacks are ready. What is required is a few mountaineers with at least moderate experience and skill to forge the way first. Once a few bucket-size steps are in place, others can follow. The cables and the next three switchback corners will still require a lot of caution, because the sloping snow is quite steep and you will have to arrest quickly in case of a slip."

Any new updates with trail conditions? My permit is for July 2nd up the main trail. Crampons needed up to Trailcrest?

I usually go early to avoid the crowd. May go later to allow a bit of snow melt to avoid an early in the day icy conditions.

Any updates would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Maureen Moran
San Diego

I wonder, would instep crampons or ice creepers be enough for the main trail? Where can they be purchased now in Ca. ?
Our schedule is for 7/3

Thanks Kevin,

For now I'll plan on going up the chute rather than switchers.
Realizing of course that it can change day-to-day depending on weather.

Adventure 16 or REi perhaps. I would call first.

I can't make any recommendation about what equipment you need for the Whitney chute. But if you decide to go with spikes instead of crampons you can order Kahtoolas from Scoutgear in Irvine. If you order them today they will get to you in time. See: http://www.scoutgear.com/ktmicro.html. I used Kahtoolas in the Mt. Baldy area this winter and they are way better than instep crampons.

Our local REI has crampons starting at 129.

My wife is very upset, she expected to walk all the way to the top without extra equipment, and now it looks like we'll have to sink to the tune of $400 just on crampons and ice axes. She wants to do crown molding in the family room instead :-/

I bought 5 sets of Yak Traks for my team for 13 dollars a pair. We won't be doing anything where crampons would be required though. I expect they'll be better than nothing, but not much so we will act accordingly............................DUG

You think those will be sufficient to make it through switchbacks?

Right now? Maybe not. In a week? Hopefully. If not, we will turn around. I think that very soon this will be the route of choice and a path will be beat in by those with an ice ax and crampons. I've been through dicey (for me anyway) cable conditions before, but this time I'm responsible for a group of five. Slipping and falling on your rear is ok, falling off the mountain isn't.

I'll be waiting and watching to see how things go over the next week..............................................DUG

First, in the spirit of full disclosure, let me say that I work for Adventure 16 in West LA. ...Shameless plug... We do have crampons from Black Diamond and Petzl(~$129), as well as Yaktrax and Kahtoola products. But if you don't want to throw down big bucks on a shiny new pair you'll never use again, the shop Elevation in Lone Pine rents them at a reasonable price. Not sure of their availablity at this time of year, though. www.sierraelevation.com
Climb safe and enjoy!!
-Katie

Which is great if you are trained on how to use them. If it were just myself, I might rent some and give it a go. Since I'm taking some "noobs" that are counting on me to keep them safe I'll error on the side of caution - the mountain won't be going anywhere until that big CA eathquake hits. .........................................DUG

For the latest on the trail conditions, check out my TR from Sun. June 27.

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum/...age=1#Post77847