I was able to summit Whitney for the 4th time on July 1st 2010. I want to thank all of the individuals who took the time to post information about trail conditions and the switchbacks in particular. I felt comfortable going alone because I was able to read about the conditions and actually see pictures of the cable section, which I believe it is the gnarliest section. The information allowed me to be prepared. I will now post my observations of trail conditions so others can benefit from them.
Trail Report: I spent the night at Whitney Portal TH and left the TH at 9 am. I carried crampons, ice ax and helmet along with the usual ten essentials and necessities. My pack was 34 lbs. including one liter of water which I refilled along the way. Made it to Trail Camp by 3 pm. I intended to nap for about one hour, but actually awoke after 2 hours. Ate dinner, and went ahead to scout the switchbacks.
I got up at 2:30 am., ate , got ready, and left by 3 am. I had to search and scramble to the beginning of the switchbacks since some of the sections were completely under snow. This took a little longer since it was still dark outside. I had an idea as to where to scramble because I had scouted the area the previous night. Otherwise, in the dark, it was not possible to know exactly where to go.
On the switchbacks the trail was wet with snow melt running down. A few sections at the higher elevation were icy. Some portions of the switchbacks were covered with snow and it was necessary to scramble to the next higher section. This is not very difficult, but it is more time consuming and it takes a bit more energy. Travel is fine up to the Cable Sections where it does get gnarly. I now have my lamp off and it is just before dawn. The snow is as hard as ice, it is ice. The crampons work well, but it is not possible to sink the ice ax into the snow. I was able to use previous holes, which others had left. I was able to walk along the same path taken by others on the snow without much difficulty. The difficult spot comes at the end of the snow pile. There is a large gap, which was for me a really long stretched out step from the snow pile to the wet icy, slippery rocks on the other side. I was able to use my ice ax and one trekking pole to make the long step.
The previous day, I had met and spoken with one person who left a rope at the Cable sections. She reports walking along he outside of the cables. I looked and considered that option carefully while at the cable section. But saw that early in the morning all those rocks are covered with ice. They look wet, but they are actually iced over. I did not consider that option as SAFE for me.
SEE PICTURES OF SWITCHBACKS
outdoors.webshots.com/album/578087320LLSOjs There were a few snow fields near the top to Trail Crest, which did require careful attention, not difficult but it did feel gnarly to me. At the very end of the switchbacks, just at Trail Crest, a big snow mount covers the corner of the trail and since it was still early, the snow was as hard as ice. I deemed that spot not passable and scrambled through the rocks above it. Then made it to the summit without problems by 11am. Ate some lunch, took some pictures, rested about 30 minutes and started back.
The way back was much easier across the snow fields and the cables because the snow was soft and it was easy to sink the ice ax, or the trekking poles into the snow. I made it back to my camp by 4 pm.. I rested at camp for a while, then packed and started back for the TH at 5 pm. I made it back to the Portal TH by 10 pm. The trip was great, and the experience was indeed challenging. I look forward to doing it again in the future. I intend to review the details of my trip. That is my itinerary, my pace, my timing, my pack and weight. ETCETERA.
My recommendation to all is enjoy the mountain and the challenge that it poses, but do not minimize or overlook the obvious dangers. These can be seen and can be felt.
