Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Trip reports for 2017

Good Luck Bob. 1 day away.

Great report Christian. A lot of valuable information in the report and the video. Congratulations on the summit and safe return.

Looking forward to your next trip report after your June 6 trip.

Thanks

Well done Christian ! Congratulations to you both. Great video. We will be on the mountain June 5. Does anyone know if the switchbacks above trail camp will be passable or is the chute the preferred route? Snow line?

From all that I have gathered I am thinking the safest will be the chute. Still alot of snow.

The switchbacks will most likely be covered in snow and ice. So far everyone is taking the chute for the ascent.

We are back on the mountain June 8th entering Kearsarge Pass and exiting Whitney.

A friend and I started this hike on Wednesday, 5/24 at 11:55am. The trail was dry for about the first 2 miles. Then we encountered heavy snow for the remainder of the hike.

Just about everyone put on crampons at this stage. Footprints go in all directions, so it's very difficult to find the trail. We crossed the log bridge to cross the creek. The last log was underwater in the middle but it's still easy to cross.

We saw some hikers coming down near the creek. They told us that the way they came down was the way to outpost camp. It turned out to be a steep hill and not part of the trail. The actual trail goes around the left side of this cliff. We burned a lot of time and energy on this climb. I thought that might be the case when some hikers with GPS behind us went another way. Although, they actually followed the creek up which is also easier but a bit more dangerous due to the ice cold creek water racing by. We burned a lot of time and energy on this climb. We finally could see Lone Pine creek again through the snow before Outpost Camp. This area was entirely covered in snow. I missed Outpost Camp on the way up.

I didn't see any more hikers for the rest of my hike up. My friend was the only one I saw and was way ahead of me waving down to me from each cliff to see if I made it. It turns out that after Outpost Camp, we went left and unknowingly lost the trail and climbed a steep hill next to a waterfall. The steep cliff of the waterfall had some bright colored warning tape at the top. This is not the correct trail. The trail hugs the right side of the mountain after Outpost Camp.

My friends tracks were now the only clear tracks in the snow. I saw no one for about another hour as I tried to climb an even steeper slope after I made it above the waterfall. I now had to use my ice axe in case of the need to self arrest. I also wore my helmet here since I had it. I spent almost an hour climbing the slope with a lot of postholing. I was about 2/3 of the way up when dark clouds filled the sky above. My friend must have headed up to Trail Camp as he was no where in sight for quite some time. I wanted to head back down the mountain to camp but I had no camping gear. It was all with my friend. I yelled his name for a long time before deciding to head back. At about 5:50pm, I glissaded down the slope. Then I did the same with the slope next to the water fall. This one I had to hike to the side a bit to avoid the cliff.

Some hikers at Outpost camp watched me come down. I asked them to tell my friend that I was headed back.

I worked my way down the mountain. I crossed the creek at the log bridge and came across several hikers there walking both ways.

The footprints now went in every direction and I lost the trail. After descending the mountain there was now almost no snow. I heard loud moaning with deep bass, almost like a drum. I don't know for sure but think it was a bear. I tried to remember what the mountain looked like on the way up to try to find the trail. There were cliffs on both sides one with the creek near it. I knew to try to stay close to cliff without the creek as it was where we came up. Thankfully, I finally came across the trail again. I heard very loud moaning again just off the trail and very close. It had so much bass to it that I believed it was a large animal, probably a bear. This was just before I cross the heavy stream the crosses the trail. I went quick so my shoes didn't get too wet. I also looked back to the trail a lot to make sure none of those bears were following me. I whistled as I went down to make sure not to startle any animals. I wondered if it only helps them to hunt me. But I heard it's what you're supposed to do since they usually want to avoid contact with humans too.

I just turned on my head lamp before making it to the end. I finally made it back to my car at Whitney Portal, just before it was dark at 8pm.

In the morning I called the Sheriff to let them know who I was and my friend and that we were split up. I let them know I made it out ok, in case my friend reported me missing.

I felt really bad because he had a rough night looking for me. He stayed overnight and made it to Trail Crest. The winds were too strong up there so he headed back and made it safe to the Portal on Thursday, 5/25.

In the snow it's really important to have a map or even better a GPS map downloaded into your phone before going and make sure you have a USB pack to keep your phone charged. My friend had the map, so it's good for everyone to have their own. Everyone should probably have their own tent too. If you might split up walkie talkies would be good to have too.

A YouTube video will be posted soon too. We didn't make it to summit this time but we made it back safe and that's what counts. Hope this helps!

I have an overnight permit for June 20. Can anyone comment on what to expect the weather/snow conditions to be like by then? If crampons will be necessary, any tips on choosing some or recommendations? My permit is to stay at trail camp the first night. Could I possibly stay at Outpost camp instead if we decide to? Any tips or recent trip reports are greatly appreciated!

You can stay at either camp. The permit is your expected itinerary not your required itinerary. However, for safety purposes, it is a good idea to notify the rangers of your change in plans, if in fact you know in advance, when you pick up the permit, and they will enter the change on your permit.

As far as crampons are concerned, if they are required, Mt. Whitney is not the mountain to try them out on. Proper crampon and ice axe use takes practice.

I can help you answer some questions. I have taken several groups up Mt Whitney via main trail and Mountaineers route. It can be a good mountain to learn on with the proper precautions in my opinion. People can be wreckless and thoughtless anywhere. The trail will be busy and this can help if you are lacking confidence to a degree.

If weather continues to give the mountain sunny days you will probably have patches of snow at outpost camp. It will be chilly at night. Check out http://mountaineducation.org/trail-snow-condition-reports/, they give great insight on snow depth and conditions on the JMT.

Ice axe and trekking pole or poles are a big benefit and necessary if 97 switchbacks are covered in snow and ice. 60-65cm if you are 6'0 and under. Ice axe shoud go to your high ankle when held by your side.You will most likely be traveling up several small and 1 tall snow chute. Crampons will be needed. I have several pairs. I would purchase the CAMP aluminum (lightweight) crampons if you are not ice climbing vertically. Universal straps will fit light hiking boots and or running shoes.

If my trip goes as planned I will coming off Whitney the 15th or 16th of June. I will report what the conditions are like if you please. I am starting my hike/climb in onion valley via the JMT to Mt. Whitney on the 8th of June.

knmgreen@gmail.com

you can email me if you please for any help you may want.

Crampons if use
Practice you must
Slip if you
Die you might

If anyone has a day permit for 10 June and would like a partner or has a group that wouldn't mind a tag-a-long, please email me: ryan.w.roe@gmail.com

My plan is to depart Mt. Whitney trail head ~4AM and go as far as I can on MWT before calling it a day and heading back. Not sure what to expect at higher elevation but I'll have crampons and ice axe just in case.

Akichow,

Right you are. I like the way you talk!

And again this morning a young man walks in and says he is two days overdue, left Trailcamp around 7 PM and cliff'ed out above Out Post Camp area ,He spend the first night ?? and in the morning followed tracks along the toe of the slope on the southern area of the canyon.

He made it down to Lone Pine Lake area and joined the trail to the Portal. Followed up with his friend that had went to town. He would come back and get him . Very lucky young man , he has experience, he had just reached the summit of Ranier without a guide. And was aware of the drop off on each side of the ridge he had followed down . His decision to not continue down at night and use his overnight gear made the difference of a different outcome.


So many times I talk about when did the accident start? Most often it was weeks or months in advance , choice of time of the year, choice of mountain , choice of gear based on experience , was plans for turning around , group details and how /why will they form a team or each go a different way when on the Mountain. What experience the person has with changing conditions and the elements above 14,000' How did they calculate the time it will take to reach a certain goal and is that valid , if not based on past experience.


This winter I said I would travel the NRT in 3 Hours. I was wrong it took 3:15 minutes so if I had planned to reach the summit my time was off by over an hour if not more and if I left the trail head late afternoon I would be in the dark before reaching the summit.

The problem area is somewhere near the exit of trail camp, people are following tracks that avoid Trail Side Meadow area missing the correct course that leads to the Mirror Lake area and into Outpost on the north side of the area. NOTE this is a very narrow section of the trail just below Trailside Meadow and also has a very steep drop off , so tired late at night or in dark can be very risky.

Now how can you avoid following the false tracks? Map reading skills ? a GPS and a map ? an app with a map and GPS that is active if you don't have a GPS signal? or all of the above? Or wait till the trail is clear and you follow the trail with little effort?



We now have the advantage of software and mapping aids like Google earth , In reach software and many more apps that you can download. But make sure you understand the system before you reach the mountain, several weeks ago I looked at a phone someone had downloaded and they were looking at the Boundary of the Wilderness Area line thinking it was the trail.

So as the snow melts the creek crossings will become another issue so plan to get your feet wet.Jumping rock to rock on some of the crossings can be risky , best to just walk into the streams and dry off on the other side .

Thanks Doug Sr.

We used a Delorme In Reach 2 years ago when snow covered most trail on the PCT and JMT. It worked as advertised. The map/GPS tracking on my phone drained the heck out of my battery but with the aid of a goal zero panel it worked like a champ. The extra weight sucks on the snow but hey that trade off for security is well worth the 2 pounds!
This was the only way my buddies wife would let him do this with me plus the added benefit to communicate with wife and precious little kids.
This forum really helps. Rec.Gov needs a link to your sight for the eastern sierras.

Many are missing the trail after the logs before Lone Pine Lake AFTER the logs travel slightly left and up a few feet 150'+/- and you will enter a thick stand of trees follow tracks to the Lone Pine Lake sign keep going past the sign to the back of this area you should see another sign that says Permit required go forward until you reach the toe of the slope take the trail/track to right and work up to Out Post Camp area. Travel to the west end of Out Post Camp area and again TRAVEL right till you see the Trail up to Mirror Lake follow the trail /tracks above Mirror Lake and you should reach Trail Camp without being on steep slopes or breaking trail.

Turn around if you think it will be dark when you return, stay in the group and don't leave anyone on the Mountain thinking they will be OK and come down later.

Mapping software may help if it is active on/offline and you have downloaded the area maps. _

I need some advice and wisdom. I am a mountaineer with seasoned experience. My fiance is novice at best. With that said we have permits from onion valley via kearsarge pass to whitney. We have 8 days to do it. Temperatures have climbed drastically. We planned on doing excursions to other lakes and areas in between with multiple day campout at Vidette and Crabtree Meadow. I am guessing the meadows will be swamped with mud and water in a few days. I also believe we will have to stop traveling before noon to avoid postholing
We have 2 weeks to vacation. We love snow travel but on firm snowpack or powder. The thawing of all this snowpack and being a wet muddy mess below and postholing high sounds displeasing. Any insight would be great. We are one day away.
John at the ranger station gave me some insight but vague at best.

Quick update on the routes Some are making it on both routes , Water crossings on each route and you will get wet. So plan to have extra socks, Early morning starts are working better but you will have ice/or hard pack snow . Afternoons you will sink in and be wet .

Mountaineer's route is holding snow on the last 400' rocks on the left side if you are a climber and some rock on the right side but not clear enough for the entire 400'
On the main trail snow from just above Lone Pine Lake to Trail Crest and the back side packed trail then the final section after Keller the route heads direct to the summit.

If you are planning a day trip and not experienced with snow and ice the summit will be far shot, so think about Trail Camp as a turn around point. It is taking people about 3 days to reach the summit and back . The people that are reaching the summit and back in one day are very experienced and have been in the area before , so route finding and conditions are not a problem. Do not use the reports of I made it in 7 hours to be the norm.

Ok- speculation question here... what are thoughts on the condition of the main trail by mid July? I have a 24 hour permit and am concerned that the trek may not be doable yet with snow still high on the peak. Thanks for help

Question about transportation to the trail from Lone Pine. Im trying to come from Reno by bus tomorrow (6/12) to pick up my permit. What's the best way to get up to the trail?

I would ask others at the Permit office if they are going to Whitney/ or hitch hike up works most times.

I have a permit for Sunday, June 25th as a solo, day hiker. I'm new to this area and would be interested in finding other day hikers heading up the standard Mt Whitney Trail on that same day.