Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Switchbacks

Hu Many people are now using the switcbacks above trail camp some on the way up and others both ways . cable section now has a track above the cables.
Some are doing the trail in light hiking boot and poles others still bring more gear . Very hot now and the snow is melting fast.

Side note I was able to watch a young man slide out of control yesterday below Iceberg Lake. He had selected a butt slide chute from others and had no ideal how slick it was. Lost control in seconds, slid several hundred feet out of control and tumbled head over failed to stop until the bottom of the ridge below Iceberg. Next his buddy was coming down the slope not setting his axe befofe moving downslope , Several examples of having the gear but no ideal at all bout the use. Thanks Doug

THANK YOU, Doug! You made my day. We're "senior" hikers, heading up to Trail Camp July 9. Weren't looking forward to attempting the chute. Hubby's done lots
of mountaineering & is OK with that, but not me. Any word on the section of trail above the west end of Trailside Meadow? In snowy '05, we crossed that steep traverse, with only a few sets of boot tracks ahead of us. I'd rather not do that again. Wondering if that's melting out yet, or if going straight up the drainage to the left might be better. On the other hand, if the drainage is melting fast, might we be breaking thru the slop into a lot of water beneath? Thanks again for all the good info. It's a huge help to all of us!

Thanks for the info Doug. We'll be up Thursday for a burger to fuel up for our Friday dayhike. Looking forward to seeing you again.....................................DUG

I took these pictures today as I hiked up the switchbacks (took the chute down). Some people decided to turn around at the cable section while I have seen some without any equipment hold on to the cables and walk from the outside. The only slightly tricky part is where the snow ends as there is a couple of feet long drop off (as can be seen on the last two photos). I am sure that in a week this will not be an issue. There are also two snow field traverses at approx. switchback 80 and then right next to Trail Crest at the end of which you need to scramble a little. Again most of the people are doing these with their trekking poles only but that's their personal choice. The chute is still very well doable but I have noticed a couple of stones starting to show under the snow. Jacob

Cable section 27/6 7am

Hi Thanks Jacob for the photos they are better for people to understand the conditions . As you reported very warm now and conditions will change hourly. Thanks Doug

My son and I were up there last Thursday (06/23/10) There area few sections coming up from trailside to trail camp that have snow, but nothing too daunting I have some mountaineering experience but am no Hillary so for my money by mid july you should be quite comfortav ble in that area.

Thanks for the report. I'm feeling better about it already. After seeing Jacob's photos, as well, I think we'll be just fine. We've been up a couple times when the cable area had no rock showing at all, & the entire length had to be done from outside of the cables.

I will be going up the Whitney main trail Wednesday, staying overnight then heading for summit on Thursday. Checking to see if the latest route from trail camp to trail crest has changed any. Is the majority taking the switchbacks versus the chute? And when is the best time of morning to go over the cable section? I have crampons that I plan to take. Thanks for any info.

Has anyone counted the switchbacks this year yet? With all the snow, I'm wondering whether we lost some or gained some (like back in 1983).

For the latest conditions as of June 27, please click on my Trail Report.

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

Anthony